During the early 1970s in Ghana, a poster titled The Heart of Man appeared on walls and public notice boards. In one picture, all kinds of reptilessymbols of the vile and despicablefilled the heart-shaped painting with the head of a very unhappy man on top of it. In another image, the heart-shape was clean and serene with the head of a contented man. The caption beneath the images read: What is the condition of your heart?
In Matthew 15:18-19, Jesus explained what pollutes a person. The things that come out of a persons mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughtsmurder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander (niv). That is the condition of a heart separated from Godthe situation ancient Israelites found themselves in when their sins forced them into exile (Ezek. 36:23).
Gods promise in Ezekiel 36:26 is beautiful: I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart (nlt; see also 11:19). God will take away our stubborn hearts that have been corrupted by all kinds of evil and give to us a clean heart that is responsive to Him. Praise God for such a wonderful gift.
Todays text gives two reasons why God is going to rescue and redeem the people of Israel. He will do it for the sake of His holy name (v. 22) and so the nations will know He is the Lord (v. 23).