Ezekiel 36:21

God sent Israel into exile because he cared about his holiness. He wanted to protect the honor of his holy name, so he planned to bring them back to their land. Israel did not earn this return from exile; it showed the Lord's holiness and power to other nations. Israel could not stay outside the land God promised to Abraham and his descendants forever.

• Ezekiel reminded the people of their guilt and their need for God to change their hearts. In the future, God would cleanse his people.

• In the Old Testament, objects and people are divided into "clean" and "unclean," "sacred" and "profane" categories (see “Clean, Unclean, and Holy” Theme Note).

  God made Israel clean, but the Gentile nations remained unclean. Israel became unclean due to bloodshed and idolatry, which defiled the land. Because they acted like unclean nations, it was fitting for Israel to be scattered among them as punishment. In the future, God would make them clean so he could dwell among them again. Other nations, seeing his holiness in his people, would know he is the Holy One.

  In the New Testament, God’s redemption through Christ redefines the lines between clean and unclean (see Acts 10:15). The Gentiles are no longer outside of God’s grace. They, too, can receive the Holy Spirit and become clean. Jews and Gentiles together now form the one people of God in Christ.

  Those in Christ Jesus are not only clean but also holy because of his priesthood. Therefore, they can come boldly into God’s presence and experience his grace (Hebrews 12:18–29).