TODAY’S INSPIRE. The new heart and Spirit.

Ezekiel 36:26

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."

Ezekiel 36:26 is a significant promise from God, delivered through the prophet Ezekiel to the exiled people of Israel, foreshadowing a deep, internal transformation and the establishment of the New Covenant.

Let’s dive into the key elements of the verse:

• "Heart of Stone" vs. "Heart of Flesh":

• Heart of Stone: This symbolizes the natural, unregenerate human heart—hardened by sin, stubborn, insensitive to God's will, unresponsive to His commands, and incapable of true spiritual obedience. It represents an inward disposition of rebellion and self-centeredness.

• Heart of Flesh: This is the heart God promises to give. It signifies a spiritual renewal—a heart that is soft, sensitive, responsive, and obedient to God. It is a heart that is alive to spiritual truth, capable of feeling shame for sin, and desiring to please God.

• "New Heart" and "New Spirit":

• These phrases refer to a complete internal change or spiritual regeneration. This is not a superficial or external cleansing, but a supernatural work of God that changes the core of a person's being—their mind, will, and desires.

• This transformation is essential because the people were unable to obey God's laws from their own natural, hardened state.

• Context and Fulfillment:

• In the historical context of Ezekiel, this promise looked forward to the future restoration of Israel, both physically to their land and spiritually to God.

• In a theological context, this promise is widely understood to be fulfilled through the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ. The "new heart" and "new spirit" point to the work of the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers, empowering them to obey God and giving them a desire for righteousness (as promised in Jeremiah 31:33 and fulfilled in the New Testament, notably at Pentecost in Acts 2). It's a miracle of grace given to all who believe.

  
  

In essence, Ezekiel 36:26 promises that God will perform a divine "heart transplant," making the people willing and able to follow Him, thereby paving the way for a restored, intimate relationship.