“A house divided against itself cannot stand” Part IV (Pro 14:27-35)

(Aired on June 19, 2025)

Pro 14:27  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Pro 14:28  In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
Pro 14:29  He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Pro 14:30  A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
Pro 14:31  He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
Pro 14:32  The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
Pro 14:33  Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
Pro 14:34  Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Pro 14:35  The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

Recap of first three parts:

God’s proverbs admonish us to keep His wisdom, which is needed in order to protect “the unity of the spirit”, or the “the unity of faith” (Eph 4:3, Eph 4:13), that enables us to keep growing together as a many membered body with the same mind of Christ, with the same spirit, working toward the same goal of being in that blessed and holy first resurrection.

Eph 4:3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

There is almost always a negative or dark side to most every proverb, being described to remind God’s elect that light comes out of darkness, and that we are the light of Christ, a city set on a hill that cannot be hid, a peculiar people who are zealous of good works (1Pe 2:9-10) because of the life of Christ within us, that is changing us as we go from glory to glory, the veil being ripped (Joh 8:12, Mat 5:14, Tit 2:14, 2Co 3:18, Mat 27:51). Christ is the one who we are looking to, in order to keep that unity as He leads us in the way of righteousness, which will see the house of God built up by His hands (Psa 127:1)

The outward kingdoms of this world becoming the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ (Rev 11:15) is the great reset (Mat 13:12-13) that the world has been groaning to see fulfilled (Rom 8:22-23), and when God’s government is established on this earth, then those woes spoken of in (Rev 11:14) will start to be poured out on humanity as they have already been poured out and fulfilled in the life of God’s elect. This is when the world will begin to learn of God’s righteousness (Isa 26:9) which event is likened unto a great earthquake that is going to reshape all the earth as the waters did in the days of Noah’s flood (Rev 11:13-14). The woes that God’s people experience convert our souls whereas the woes that the world will experience during the thousand year reign of the saints is typical of a water baptism that must precede the lake of fire baptism which will come upon all the world in the second resurrection (Joh 3:5-6).

Joh 3:5  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

In last week’s study we looked at how we can protect that which God has given the elect to preserve in this life. The only way we can become a stronger undivided house is by keeping the commandments of God, doing what he tells us to do (Mat 7:22-27).

Mat 7:24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (Rev 1:3)
Mat 7:25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. (Mat 16:18).

This final section of chapter fourteen will focus on the sound heart that is needed to maintain the unity of the body of Christ (1Co 2:16, 2Ti 1:7-9). It is when we judge ourselves and drink waters from our own cistern (Pro 5:15), and learn from those who have the mind of Christ that we become a stronger and more united body of Christ that is no longer judged of any man but at the same time understands the continual need to be taught by a man of God who has the mind of Christ (1Co 2:15-16, 1Jn 2:27, Act 8:31).

1Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

1Jn 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Act 8:31  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

Pro 14:27  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

“The fear of the LORD”, from the “beginning” to the “conclusion” is where Life is, our “fountain of life”  (Pro 9:10, Ecc 12:13-14, 1Co 3:13-15). In other words, what that fear of God does is preserve our spiritual life in Christ (Rev 21:5-8).

Pro 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Ecc 12:13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecc 12:14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Rev 21:5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Rev 21:6  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Rev 21:7  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

The fountain of life is Christ, he is the cistern that we, the church, is called to obtain living waters from (Luk 12:5, Luk 11:13, Joh 4:10-14)

Luk 12:5  But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Luk 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Joh 4:10  Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Joh 4:11  The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
Joh 4:12  Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
Joh 4:13  Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: [physical carnal lineage being held onto [Jacob’s well] that does not know that before Abraham was I am]
Joh 4:14  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. [“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death”]

Pro 14:28  In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

The king’s honour is found not just in any multitude, but in the multitude of counsellors who are men of God who fear Him and keep his commandments (Pro 15:22, Pro 20:15, Pro 24:6). It is with those who acknowledge that these things are the commandments of God (1Co 14:37-38) who will be given to see the body of Christ remain unified, honouring God and bringing honour to our king Jesus Christ (Pro 3:5-6 drink waters from your own cistern).

Pro 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Pro 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths [toward the safety found in the body of Christ].

We understand that the church is never going to be a large group, the Lord tells us so (Mat 22:14). We are a little flock (Luk 12:32) who are grateful for whatever increase God himself gives (1Co 3:7), and although the fields are white and ready to harvest (Joh 4:35), and we do pray for labourers (Mat 9:37-38), the fact remains that the remnant of God will always be just that in this life, a small Gideon-like army that is bringing glory and honour unto our Father who is delivering us through Christ (Rom 8:37).

Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.

Luk 12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Joh 4:35  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

Mat 9:37  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
Mat 9:38  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

He is preparing us as those labourers who will be used to bring in the latter harvest of the rest of humanity (Oba 1:21). Our attitude should always be that we desire that all men will be saved, which they will be, and that all men could prophesy and speak of things that we are blessed to read and hear today (Num 11:29, Mat 13:16-17), however, God gives the increase and has never intended that there be great faith on this earth when He returns.

Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.

Num 11:29  And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD’S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!

But, in the end, God will be all in all (1Co 15:28) and the destruction of the prince of this world will see full destruction (Eph 2:2, Joh 12:31), “but in the want[ceasing, end, finality] of people is the destruction of the prince”.

Pro 14:28  Rulers of powerful nations are held in honor; rulers of weak nations are nothing at all. (Contemporary English Version)
Pro 14:28  A large population is a king’s glory.
But a prince without followers is destroyed. (New Int’l Readers Version)
Pro 14:28  In the multitude of a people, is the majesty of the king, but, in the ceasing of population, is the ruin of the prince. (Rotherham Emphasized Bible)

Pro 14:29  He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Being slow to wrath is the fruit of a sound heart that by God’s grace and the faith of Christ we are learning to possess our souls patiently with (Luk 21:19). Clearly it is when we are hearing the word in a good and honest heart that we will bring forth much fruit, and we will gain “great understanding” (Luk 8:15)

Luk 21:19  In your patience possess ye your souls.

Luk 8:15  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Conversely it is those who are “hasty of spirit [who will] exalteth folly”, and there is no greater folly than to doubt that our Lord is going to return one day (2Pe 3:3-4, Luk 12:45-46).

2Pe 3:3  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
2Pe 3:4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

Luk 12:45  But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; [the bad fruit of those who are hasty of spirit and exalteth folly]
Luk 12:46  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Pro 14:30  A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

We are the flesh and bones of Christ (Eph 5:30) and our sound heart is a gift from God (1Co 2:16) that we never want to take for granted as we die daily and stir up God’s spirit within us (Heb 2:3) so that a spirit of envy (1Ti 6:3-4, Tit 3:3,  Jas 4:5-7) should never start to create rottenness in those bones of Christ, “envy the rottenness of the bones”. If we keep God’s commandments demonstrating love toward one another (1Jn 5:2) and esteem each other better, those bones will remain strong and healthy and stay intact and not be spiritually broken, as Christ’s physical bones remained, typifying the body of Christ’s spiritual bones (Psa 34:20).

Jas 4:5  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Jas 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Jas 4:7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. “A sound heart is the life of the flesh”

Psa 34:20  He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. (Eph 5:30)

Pro 14:31  He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

God has called us to have mercy on the poor of this world as we have opportunity, and on those who are spiritually poor as we all once were in Babylon with no stay of bread or water (Isa 3:1). Not casting our pearls before swine does not exclude us from doing good unto all men, good that is done especially unto the household of faith (Gal 6:10). It is how we love our neighbour as ourselves that prevents us from oppressing the poor, who, when we do oppress we are doing so unto the Lord, “He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker”.

Conversely when we love our neighbour as ourselves we are honouring our Father in heaven with those actions, “but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor”(1Pe 2:12-15)

1Pe 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1Pe 2:13  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1Pe 2:14  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
1Pe 2:15  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

Pro 14:32  The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

We have hope in our dying daily process knowing that it is Christ who is working in us as our hope of glory (Col 1:27) who gives us the power to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is in fact Him who is doing that work within us (Php 2:12-13, Heb 5:7). It is that work of faith within the body of Christ that is driving away the wickedness within us (1Jn 4:4). It is that “death” of the saints that is most precious to our Father (Psa 116:15).

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh (1Jn 4:3), when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;(1Jn 4:17)

1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Psa 116:15  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

Pro 14:33  Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

We must labour to enter into Christ who is our sabbath rest, and with that rest comes understanding and peace that passes all understanding (Heb 4:8-11). Each holy day was on a sabbath for that reason, to remind us that God’s plan can only be understood and move forward within us by having the life of Christ within us who is our wisdom that we rest in (Mat 12:6-8).

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest (Php 2:12-13), lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Mat 12:6  But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
Mat 12:7  But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Mat 12:8  For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

God is in the process of burning out all the foolishness within the midst of Christ’s body by pouring out the seven last plagues of His wrath upon us, which is the only way our shame can be covered so that we are no longer fools who are made known by our corrupt actions, but sons of God who are standing in the temple of God by the grace and faith of Christ that is teaching us to forsake ungodliness and worldly lust in this life. [“I will have mercy, and not sacrifice = God’s mercy that is expressed in His judgements” (Rev 15:8, Tit 2:12-14)].

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Pro 14:34  Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

God’s people are likened unto a nation whose righteousness is of God that exalts us (1Pe 2:9), and ‘whatever we sow we will reap’ (Gal 6:7-8) is a statement of Christ that reminds us that “sin is a reproach to any people” and God is not mocked.

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Gal 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Pro 14:35  The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

Again in this study we are looking at how God deals with any corruption in our heart, burning it up so that body of Christ remains unified (Eph 2:8). His favour is toward the elect who are considered ‘wise servants’ who are in the process of trimming our lamps, and understand that in order for those lamps to burn brightly in this life we must experience His wrath against our old man of sin, “him that causeth shame”, which shame will be evident until it is overcome through the trials and much tribulation that God mercifully brings upon us (Heb 12:6). This is the life-long process the body of Christ has been blessed to be called unto, which will result in a unified body that is being “throughly furnished unto all good works”  (Heb 12:6-7, 1Pe 4:12, Rev 3:18, 2Ti 3:17).

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

“Ever Learning But Never Coming to the Knowledge of the Truth”

[Study Aired Dec 24, 2024]

Have we found ourselves guilty of constantly studying God’s Word yet failing to truly understand its spiritual meaning? The apostle Paul addresses this very condition in his second letter to Timothy: “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). Before we quickly dismiss this warning as applying only to others, let us examine ourselves in light of this scripture and its context.

Paul warns Timothy about certain characteristics that would mark the last days:

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.“ (2 Timothy 3:1-7).

Could we be among those who maintain “a form of godliness” while denying its power? Do we study scripture yet miss its spiritual significance? This self-examination is critical because as Paul explains elsewhere:

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:14-16).

This passage reveals why mere intellectual study without spiritual discernment leaves us ever learning but never knowing truth. We must ask ourselves: Are we approaching scripture with natural understanding or seeking spiritual discernment through Christ’s mind working in us?

Can we not see ourselves at times being ever so zealous in studying scripture, attending studies, reading religious books and commentaries, yet somehow missing the life-changing truth of God’s Word? Consider how God, through the prophet Isaiah, describes this condition:

“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” (Isaiah 29:13-14).

We must be honest with ourselves – how often do we study God’s Word yet miss its spiritual application? The Jews of Jesus’ day exemplified this problem. They diligently studied scripture but failed to recognize its fulfillment standing right before them:

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:39-40).

This shows us that it’s possible to be thoroughly versed in scripture yet miss its true spiritual meaning. The Pharisees and scribes knew the letter of the law but missed its spirit. Could we be falling into the same pattern? Paul explains why this happens:

“Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6).

The issue isn’t that study itself is wrong – God commands us to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Rather, the problem comes when we rely on our natural understanding instead of allowing God’s spirit to illuminate His Word. Consider what God says through Jeremiah:

“Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

This scripture reveals that true knowledge isn’t about accumulating information but about knowing God Himself. Yet how can we know if we’re truly growing in spiritual understanding rather than just accumulating head knowledge? Jesus provides the answer:

“And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:21-23).

True spiritual understanding manifests itself in changed lives. When we truly understand God’s Word spiritually, it transforms us. As Paul explains:

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30).

The question we must ask ourselves is whether our learning is producing this conformity to Christ’s image. Are we being transformed by what we learn, or are we merely collecting religious knowledge? Consider what Peter writes about this transformation:

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4).

Let us examine more deeply the key words in Paul’s warning: “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7).

The Greek word for “learning” here is “manthanō” (Strong’s G3129), which implies not just casual learning but the idea of being a disciple or student. It suggests intentional, dedicated study. Yet despite this dedicated learning, they are “never able” – from the Greek “mēdepote” (G3368), meaning “not even at any time” or “never at all” – to come to “knowledge” – “epignōsis” (G1922), which refers to precise, correct, or full knowledge.

This distinction in the Greek reveals something profound. These individuals aren’t casual seekers but dedicated students who somehow remain unable to grasp true spiritual understanding. They pursue “gnosis” (basic knowledge) but never arrive at “epignosis” (full, experiential knowledge). The word “truth” – “alētheia” (G225) – in Greek means reality or certainty, suggesting that while they study endlessly, they never grasp spiritual reality.

Consider how this connects to what Jesus said about spiritual understanding:

“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.” (Matthew 11:25-26).

The “wise and prudent” here represent those who rely on natural understanding, while “babes” represent those who humbly receive spiritual revelation. This explains why some can study endlessly yet miss truth – they rely on natural wisdom rather than spiritual revelation. As Paul explains:

“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought.” (1 Corinthians 2:4-6).

The transition from endless learning to true spiritual understanding requires divine intervention. This is made clear when we compare these words from Jeremiah:

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” (Jeremiah 13:23).

With Paul’s explanation of how spiritual understanding comes:

“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).

The Lord reveals through Jeremiah why some remain in this state of perpetual learning without understanding:

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.“ (Jeremiah 13:23-24).

Our natural state cannot receive spiritual truth without divine intervention, which is why Jesus explained to Nicodemus the necessity of spiritual birth:

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.“ (John 3:3-5).

Our inability to receive spiritual understanding serves God’s purpose, for as Paul reveals:

“For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?” (Romans 11:32-34).

The very condition of being “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” demonstrates our complete dependence on God’s mercy for true understanding. This aligns with what Jesus taught His disciples:

“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” (Matthew 13:13-15).

The inability to understand spiritual truth serves as a witness against our natural state, proving we need divine intervention to comprehend spiritual matters. Paul explains this divine work:

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6).

Even Christ’s disciples struggled with spiritual understanding until He opened their minds:

“Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:45-47).

This reveals a critical truth – spiritual understanding is a gift from God, not something we achieve through human effort. David understood this when he prayed:

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.” (Psalm 119:18-20).

The Lord promises this spiritual understanding will come to those He chooses:

“And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.” (Jeremiah 24:7).

This aligns with Paul’s teaching that God must grant repentance for understanding to come:

“In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

When God works transformation in our hearts, it produces visible evidence through changed living. James reveals how true wisdom manifests:

“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” (James 3:13-15)

This fruit can only come through abiding in Christ, as He taught:

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:5-6)

How then does God cause us to move beyond endless learning to true spiritual understanding? The prophet Ezekiel reveals this process:

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

This transformative work begins with God giving us “ears to hear” spiritual truth. As Jesus repeatedly emphasized:

“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.“ (Revelation 2:11).

The ability to hear and understand spiritual truth comes through Christ dwelling in us. Paul explains this mystery:

“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” (Colossians 1:26-28).

This indwelling of Christ transforms our learning from mere head knowledge to spiritual understanding. As Paul writes to Timothy in the same letter as our study verse:

“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel.” (2 Timothy 2:7-8)

Yet this understanding is not given to all, for the Lord purposely keeps some in blindness while they pursue religious knowledge. Isaiah reveals this divine purpose:

“Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.” (Isaiah 29:9-10)

This spiritual blindness serves God’s purpose, as Paul declares:

“For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” (Romans 9:17-18).

True spiritual understanding comes only through God’s work in us:

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7).

The Lord makes clear that both the understanding of truth and the ability to believe come as His gift:

“Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.” (Luke 8:10).

“Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:29).

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Knowing this truth should move us to seek wisdom as James instructs:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:5-8).

Ezekiel 36:22–38 I Will Put My Spirit Within You

[Study Aired Nov 11, 2024]

INTRODUCTION

Today’s study looks at the intervention of the Lord in our lives to make us learn righteousness as we are given the resources we need to become the Lord’s sons. The resources mentioned in the verses we are studying include putting within us a new heart and a new spirit by taking away our stony heart of flesh, sprinkling upon us clean water, multiplying the fruit of the tree, the increase of the field, restoring our desolated and waste cities, and making our land like the garden of Eden. In our study today, we shall go into details of what all these resources imply to us, His elect.

Being given these resources is the same as being clothed with the full armor of the Lord in order for us to wage a good warfare.

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The Lord’s Concern for His Holy Name

Eze 36:22  Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. 
Eze 36:23  And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

To understand these verses, we need to go back to the previous verses (Ezekiel 36:19-21) which show us how we had strayed as the lost sheep of the Lord and as a result, we have desecrated His name among the heathen. This is what we captured in the previous study:

Eze 36:19  And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them.
Eze 36:20  And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.
Eze 36:21 But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.

Being scattered among the heathen and dispersed through the countries implies conforming ourselves to the standards of this world such that we were not different from the people of this world. We therefore became worse off as we dishonored the name of the Lord. Going forth out of our land in verse 20 means we lost complete control of our bodies as our flesh sits in our temple, claiming to be God. 

2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

Verses 19 and 20 therefore, show us what it means to be marred in the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, in the acceptable year of the Lord, He had pity on us and came to us with His judgement to cause us to learn righteousness so that we do not continue to drag His Holy name in the mud. Verse 21 therefore shows us the mercy of the Lord as He makes us again into another vessel as it seems good to the potter (our Lord Jesus Christ).

Jer 18:1  The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Jer 18:2  Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
Jer 18:3  Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
Jer 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Verses 22-23 in Today’s study therefore show us the Lord coming to us to deliver us from our sins. This intervention is not because of what we have done but it is as a result being jealous for His name sake, such that we do not drag His name in the mud.

Exo 34:14  For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous,is a jealous God:

Psa 23:3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psa 106:8  Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.

1Jn 2:12  I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

Eze 36:24  For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 
Eze 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

In this age, what the Lord is doing is calling us out of various nations and gathering us together as the New Jerusalem as we possess our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord. This gathering from the nations is also highlighted in Isaiah 11 as follows:

Isa 11:11  At that time the Lord will use his power again to recover what remains of his people in Assyria, Upper and Lower Egypt, Sudan, Elam, Babylonia, Hamath, and the islands of the sea.
Isa 11:12  He will raise a banner for the nations to gather around. He will gather the outcasts of Israel and bring together the scattered people of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Isa 11:15  The LORD will dry up the gulf of the Egyptian Sea. He will wave his hand over the Euphrates River with his scorching wind and divide it into seven streams so that people can walk over it in their sandals.
Isa 11:16 There will be a highway for the remaining few of his people left in Assyria like there was for Israel when it came out of Egypt. (GW)

Here in Isaiah, we are given additional information about how the Lord is gathering us together from the nations. The Lord is drying up the gulf of the Egyptian sea and dividing the Euphrates river with His scorching wind to make a way for His elect to be gathered together. The Egyptian sea refers to the false doctrines of man’s wisdom and traditions and the Euphrates river also describes the false doctrines which sustains Babylon or the physical churches of this world. It is through the scorching wind that we shall have power over, or be not hurt by, these false doctrines.

The scorching wind is a symbol of the judgement that the Lord is taking us through in this life which will enlighten our understanding of the truth of the Lord’s words and at the same time destroys these false doctrines in our heavens which had kept us bound in Babylon. The clean water in verse 25 is the truth of the word of the Lord which cleanses us from the filthiness of idols of the heart resulting from the false doctrines of the Egyptian sea and Euphrates river.

Rev 9:13  And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
Rev 9:14  Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
Rev 9:15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

Verses 24 and 25 together with Isaiah 11:11-16 therefore show us how the Lord is dealing with us in this age to possess our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord as we are transformed by the renewing of our minds and therefore do not conform to the standards of this world.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

A New Heart and a New Spirit

Eze 36:26  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 
Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 

The new heart that the Lord is giving us signifies the new man within us that is created after the image of Christ. The taking away of the stony heart out of our flesh refers to the dying of the old man or flesh within us through the Lord’s judgement. As our old man (stony heart) is dying, we are giving birth to the new man which is symbolized here as the heart of flesh.

Eph 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

This new heart is the same as the clean heart that David yearned for when Nathan the prophet came to confront David about his adulterous relationship with Bethsheba.

Psa 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

In verses 24 and 27, the Lord is also telling us that He will put a new spirit within us. This is the Holy Spirit that the Lord promised His disciples on His ascension day, and was given to the disciples on the day of Pentecost.

Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Act 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

It is this Spirit that the Lord has freely given to us which makes us realize our status as the sons of God or His elect. This spirit quickens our mortal bodies to walk in the Lord’s statues and to keep His judgements as shown in verse 27.

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Rom 8:10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  

Eze 36:28  And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. 
Eze 36:29  I will also save you from all your uncleanness: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. 
Eze 36:30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. 

Dwelling in the land that the Lord gave to our fathers means being given to possess our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord. In verse 28, we are therefore told that the requirement of becoming part of the Lord’s people or His elect, is being given to dwell in the land or possess our bodies, which means being an overcomer. That is when our Lord becomes our God. This is a process which takes a lifetime. The goal of our walk is therefore to possess the land. Revelation chapters 2 and 3 show us the reward awaiting us if we are able to overcome our flesh or possess our bodies.

Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Rev 2:11  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

Being saved from all our uncleanness in verse 29 implies being delivered from our sins. Our deliverance from sin is through the Lord’s judgement of our old man or flesh.

Rom 6:6  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7  For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Rom 6:8  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Rom 6:9  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Rom 6:10  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We are also told in verse 29 that the Lord shall not lay famine upon us but increase the corn on our behalf. The ‘corn’ signifies the truth of the word of the Lord and it is the same as ‘the multiplying of the fruit of the tree’ and ‘the increase in the field’ as stated in verse 30. When the Lord comes to us with the spirit of His mouth and His brightness, that is the time that our eyes are opened and ears start to hear the mysteries of the kingdom of God. This period is ‘the increase in corn’ or ‘the multiplying of the fruit of the tree’ or ‘the increase in the field’ that the Lord has promised us in verses 29 and 30.

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mat 13:12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Eze 36:31  Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. 
Eze 36:32 Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. 

We have to come to the place where we recognize our iniquities and abominations before we can be helped by the Lord. This is what the Lord told Isaiah:

Isa 58:1  Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

Loathing ourselves in our own sight for our iniquity and our abomination in verse 31 is an experience that we have all gone through after the Lord opened our eyes to see the filth we have left behind. We were just like the prodigal son as we wasted away, thinking we were enjoying life.

Luk 15:17  And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Luk 15:18  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Luk 15:19  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Luk 15:20  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luk 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

In verse 32, the Lord is reminding us that it is not because of any good thing that we have done that He came to us, but it is because of His name.

Eze 36:22  Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.

Eze 36:33  Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded. 

As we are aware, our cleansing from all our iniquities is a lifelong process, although here in verse 33, the Lord is saying that we shall be cleansed ‘in a day’. We know that a day in the sight of the Lord is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. Thus, the day of our cleansing refers to the period of our lives when the Lord comes to us with the spirit of His mouth and His brightness to destroy all that offends in our walk with Him. During this period, the Lord is saying that He will cause us to dwell in the cities. As we have indicated in previous studies, cities represent the churches. The Lord causing us to dwell in cities during the period of our purification is to let us know that it is while we remain in the assembly of the Lord’s elect that we are cleansed from all unrighteousness through what every joint supplies. That is why we are admonished not to forsake our gathering together as we see the day approaching.

Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

The building of the wastes in verse 33 signifies our being marred (waste) in the hand of the potter and therefore He makes us into another vessel fit for His purpose.

Jer 18:3  Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
Jer 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Eze 36:34  And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. 
Eze 36:35 And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited. 

The land which lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by here in verse 34 refers to our flesh when we are under its dictates. Our condition of being unfaithful to Christ is obvious for the people of the world to see when we were in the churches of this world. The desolate land being tilled therefore means that our flesh shall be judged by the Lord.  It is through the Lord’s judgement that we learn righteousness and transition from a desolate land to become like the garden of Eden which was nourished by one river which is the truth of the word of the Lord. When this river leaves the garden of Eden which also signify the assembly of the Lord’s elect, it divides into four rivers which nourish the world including Babylon. The four rivers therefore represent the whole of the false doctrines of this world.

Isa 26:8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
Isa 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Gen 2:10  And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
Gen 2:11  The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
Gen 2:12  And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.
Gen 2:13  And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.
Gen 2:14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.

The name of the first river is Pison which means ‘dispersive’. It goes to the land that is filled with gold, bdellium and onyx. This land here is Babylon or the physical churches of this world who had the truth of the word of the Lord but turned the truth into images of men. The result is the dispersive nature of the word which has created many denominations and divisions in Babylon.

Eze 16:13  Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.

Eze 16:17 Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them,

The second river is called Gihon which means ‘bursting forth’. The bursting forth implies that the river has become a flood of false doctrines that sweeps away humanity, just like the flood in Noah’s time. The third river is called Hiddekel which means ‘rapid’. Just like the Gihon river which burst forth, the river Hiddekel is rapid and easily sweeps away humanity just like a flood. The fourth river is Euphrates and it means ‘fruitfulness’. As we are aware, it is this river that nourishes our brothers and sisters in Babylon, who are deceived into thinking that the word they receive in Babylon is fruitful.

Again in verse 35, we are told that the waste, desolate and ruined cities are become fenced and inhabited. This refers to our transition from Babylon or the physical churches of this world into the church of the Lord’s elect or the firstborn where we are protected (fenced) by the Lord as He brings in His elect to inhabit the city of new Jerusalem.

Psa 91:1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Psa 91:9  Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
Psa 91:10  There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Psa 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

It is worth noting that the Lord giving His angels charge over us is to keep us in all our ways. The angels that keep charge over us are our leaders or elders. Through the multitude of counsellors of the elders, we are given direction to keep us in all our ways.

Rev 21:17  And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

Pro 11:14  Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Pro 24:6  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

We shall Come to Know the Lord

Eze 36:36  Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it. 

Our being made into another vessel fit for the Lord’s purpose will make the people around us recognize the hand of the Lord in turning our lives around as our light shines before men.

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Eze 36:37  Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock. 
Eze 36:38 As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the LORD.

As we are gathered together in the New Jerusalem, we shall come to know the Lord through what every joint supplies.

Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Heb 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

May His name be praised for His wonderful work towards us. Amen!!