Ezekiel 11:17-20 says, “17 Therefore say, ‘Thus says YHVH Elohim, “I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries among which you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.”’ 18  When they come there, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations from it. 19 And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their Elohim.”

Have you ever wondered why this imagery was used to describe the work the Spirit will have in our lives? The IVP Commentary sheds great insight into these metaphors. “The concept of a heart of stone would have had a couple of associations in the ancient world, mostly from Egypt. First of all, in Egyptian beliefs it was the heart that was weighed in judgment to determine whether or not the afterlife could be attained. If it was weighed down with guilt and sin, the results could be disastrous.  A heart of stone would be a heavy heart. More important is the imagery connected to the mummification process. From New Kingdom times on, the heart was removed from the mummy and placed in a canopic jar, as the other important organs were. This was done because the Egyptians believed that the heart might betray the individual when he came to judgment and thereby jeopardize the afterlife. The heart was replaced with a stone carved in the shape of a dung beetle. In Egypt this insect was the symbol of eternal life. By transplanting it inside the mummy in place of the heart, they believed they were securing the renewal of the person’s life and vitality. In contrast, Yahweh is going to bring his people back to life by returning to them hearts of flesh that will not betray them. The imagery of an unhardened heart would be apt in that verses 17–20 suggest a new exodus and a [re]new covenant.”

Jeremiah 24:7 says, “I will give them a heart to know Me [this means intimately and personally], for I am YHVH; and they will be My people, and I will be their Elohim, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.”

 Jeremiah 32: 39-41 says, “39 and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them. 40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me. 41 I will rejoice over them to do them good and will faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and with all My soul.” It doesn’t get much better than this!!  Notice how many times the word good is used.  Remember the Hebrew understanding of Good/Tov is fulfilling the purpose we were designed to do, in the season that we’re called to do it.

 The Spirit of YHVH is faithful to complete that which He has begun and has determined for His people!!

Have a blessed and shalom filled day!!

Tammy

Courtesy of
River of Life Tabernacle
Tammy McLendon
Great peace have they who love Your law. Psalm 119:165a