Ezekial 36:16-38 - Be Ashamed and Confounded

God tells Ezekiel that the judgment Israel has received was a result of their disobedience to Him. As a result of the actions of the Israelites, God's name was profaned in the world. God deserves to be glorified. He MUST be glorified. So, God was going to restore Israel to its land and bless them again. Not because they deserved it. Not because He owed it to them. He planned to restore Israel so that the nations would know that He is the LORD! God knew what the Israelites would do...we humans are so prone to think that when any good comes into our lives, it is because God has finally seen our plight and rewarded us accordingly (as if He had been sleeping or missing the mark!). This is wrong thinking. God tells the Israelites to be ashamed and confounded. The people were to be confounded about the idea that God would bless them so greatly as wicked as they had been. How could a just God give so much good to those who have been so wicked?!? He shows grace to the wicked FOR HIS GLORY! By the way...we are all wicked...none of us deserve all the good things that we have. How could a just God give me, a wicked sinner, all the blessings I have, even life eternal?!? To God be the GLORY, great things He has done!