Ezekiel 36:8-10
8 “‘But you, mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home. 9 I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown, 10 and I will multiply the number of people upon you, even the whole house of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.'”

These verses promise restoration to the land of Israel and its people, who have seen their fair share of devastation and ruin. Being conquered by other countries, being captured and taken into exile…let’s just say the Israelites have had a very difficult time of it!

But Ezekiel brings words of hope from God, Who has not been idle during all this suffering; in fact, God has brought them through and is planning to return His people to their homeland, newly abundant with plenty. The time of exile and conquest will soon be over, and Israel restored to its proper place, where they may begin to thrive again.

Why Did Israel Have to Be Restored in the First Place?

One might ask, “Well, if God is so faithful and loving, why were the Israelites allowed to suffer?” The simple answer was that Israel had become famously unfaithful and ungrateful to God, worshipping any other deities but Him, acting as if they alone had done the work to deserve all that they had. In earlier Old Testament books (Judges especially), we see this dynamic illustrated over and over again so many times, it’s ridiculous.

Finally God just lets them see what their lives would be like without His blessing; He does not turn away from His people entirely, but He does allow the surrounding countries to do as they will with Israel. Like a parent with a disobedient child, God allows Israel to fall on its proverbial backside for a while, so that they understand how dependent they truly are on Him (and not other deities) for protection. But this punishment is not forever, as these verses promise!

We Can Be Restored, Too!

We can trust in the same restorative power in our own lives. We may not be conquered by other countries and taken into exile, but we can encounter major career setbacks, endure strife and long-term struggles with loved ones, and suffer illness and despair. During hard times, it can be very difficult to see God working, but just as He did for Israel, He can do for us. We, like the Israelites, must learn to be faithful to Him and trust in Him, and know that He will “look on us with favor,” too.