First example

In Ezekiel 36, when God’s chosen-for-a-purpose people, Israel, were living in their own country, they defiled it by their evil deeds, and their worship was foul as filthy rags (v 15 TLB). So God banished them to other nations and judged them according to their deeds (v.19). After His judgments have run their course, they receive a new heart and spirit. Then He empowers them to live right and honorably. As a result, God vindicates the holiness of His great name, which they had profaned in the midst of the nations. Then “the nations shall know that I am the Lord … when I [prove myself holy—NAS] in you before their eyes” v 23). God cares about all people and wants them to know His true nature. He does that through His followers as He transforms us into His image. Jesus said that when people observe our good works they will glorify our Father in heaven. (Mt 5:16) Remember: God is not partial–what He does for Israel He will do for all. See Anchor 9, Promise 3. Nothing is impossible for God! (Lk 1:37)

Second example

After Israel, the most referenced nation in the Bible is Egypt, mentioned 659 times! Has God turned His back on Egypt, which so oppressed His chosen-for-a-purpose people? Observe: “And the Lord will strike Egypt, He will strike and heal it; they will return to the Lord, and He will be entreated by them and heal them. In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians. In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, ‘Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.’” (Is 19:22-25) God called Egypt “my people”! Egypt represents the whole non-Jewish world.

Third example

Most know that Sodom and the people in it were destroyed by fire, but not as well known is that Sodom will be restored! Ezekiel writes: “I will give back to Sodom and her daughters the good things they once had … to Samaria and her daughters the good things they once had. And with them I will also give back the good things you [Israel] once had so you may suffer disgrace and feel ashamed for all the things you have done. … Your sisters, Sodom with her daughters and Samaria with her daughters, will return to what they were before. You and your daughters will also return to what you were before.” (Ez 16:53-55 NCV, NIRV, EXB) The CEB says God “will bless” these cities. Other translations say “restore” them (ABP-LXX, AMP, DRA, WYC). Most translations say “restore their fortunes.” This seems to point to the Abrahamic promise in Gn 12:3, repeated seven times! See Anchor 1. The judgment and restoration of these “cities” in the resurrection age only makes sense if it includes the individuals who inhabited them. Peter and Jude both show it refers to judgment in the age to come. (2Pt 2:6; Jude 7) These glorious prophecies apply to all people!

Gerry Beauchemin 2017