Study Desk

Therefore I poured out My fury on them for the blood they had shed on the land, and for their idols with which they had defiled it.

But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went.

"Therefore say to the house of Israel, "Thus says the Lord GOD: "I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went.

For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.

I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you.

Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations.

Not for your sake do I do this," says the Lord GOD, "let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!"

"Thus says the Lord GOD: "I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock.

"As for you, son of man, take a stick for yourself and write on it: "For Judah and for the children of Israel, his companions.' Then take another stick and write on it, "For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel, his companions.'

Then join them one to another for yourself into one stick, and they will become one in your hand.

"Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.

Thus says the Lord GOD: "Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for years in those days that I would bring you against them?

For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: "Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel,

I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains," says the Lord GOD. "Every man's sword will be against his brother.

You shall fall on the open field; for I have spoken," says the Lord GOD.

"Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and bucklers, the bows and arrows, the javelins and spears; and they will make fires with them for seven years.

For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, in order to cleanse the land.

Indeed all the people of the land will be burying, and they will gain renown for it on the day that I am glorified," says the Lord GOD.

"And as for you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD, "Speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field: "Assemble yourselves and come; Gather together from all sides to My sacrificial meal Which I am sacrificing for you, A great sacrificial meal on the mountains of Israel, That you may eat flesh and drink blood.

You shall eat fat till you are full, And drink blood till you are drunk, At My sacrificial meal Which I am sacrificing for you.