A New Heart
Ezekiel 1-3; 33-34; 36-37; 47 | October 24-30
Ezekiel was a prophet who had been captured and sent to Babylon before Jerusalem was destroyed. Ezekiel was shown a scroll in a vision and the Lord asked him to eat it, symbolically eating and filling himself with God’s word. Then the Lord told him to speak to the people, warning them of the consequences of their wickedness and teaching them that they could still repent and be changed. Those who had done wickedly could turn from their wickedness and become righteous and be saved.
Ezekiel was also told to warn Israel that they needed to be as shepherds and seek out the Lord’s lost flock and feed His sheep. In the last days the Lord will gather the lost sheep of Israel. We can help to gather the flock and be shepherds feeding His sheep, or in other words, gathering scattered Israel by sharing the gospel. The Lord says He will give Israel a new heart and a new spirit. We can also receive a new heart and new spirit as we learn to love the Lord, keep His commandments, and strive to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
Ezekiel saw another vision of a valley of dry bones. The Lord told Ezekiel to say to the bones that the Lord would cause breath to enter into them and sinews and skin would cover them, and they would live. Ezekiel obeyed, and the bones were connected, covered, and came to life. With this vision the Lord taught Ezekiel about the resurrection, and also taught him about the restoration of the House of Israel. We can also learn that the Lord can bring new life and hope into us even when we are feeling spiritually or emotionally “dead” if we turn to Him.
