A New Heart

So far, Ezekiel’s focus on God’s work of restoration has been externally focused (i.e., new shepherd, new covenant). In Ezekiel 36, God’s work of making “all things new” encompasses the internal too. What God’s people in Babylon really need is a new heart! True transformation happens only by divine intervention from the inside-out. Through His Spirit, God promises His people heart surgery – removing their hard, unbelieving stone-like hearts and implanting a soft, pliable believing heart. Not only will His Spirit complete the procedure, but He will indwell God’s people and lead them to walk in obedience to His words and ways. Jesus connects this divine procedure to baptism in John 3.