Ezekiel 18:32

This chapter ends with a strong appeal to the people of Israel. God calls them to turn back to him and live.

It was not too late for them to repent. They could turn from their sins and receive forgiveness. God promised to give them a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26).

A new heart and a new spirit mean an inner change. God would change their thoughts and desires. He would do this for all who turned from their rebellion and came to him with humility.

This section includes eight metaphors, each showing from a different angle the certainty of Jerusalem's upcoming judgment. The images are of:

1. a worthless vine (Ezekiel 15);

2. a faithless wife (Ezekiel 16);

3. a vine and two eagles (Ezekiel 17);

4. Sour grapes (Ezekiel 18);

5. a lion and her cubs (Ezekiel 19);

6. a sword (Ezekiel 21);

7. two corrupt sisters (Ezekiel 23); and

8. a cooking pot (Ezekiel 24).