Ezekiel chapter 20

vs 41

So God is saying that there will be a time when he will accept their sacrifices once more, and accept them as an acceptable people on his holy hill, and there will be a time when they will once again serve their purpose of proving his holiness. That time will be after the exile. Which means, in hope for Israel, that God won't forget them through exile, and that the exile will end. Eventually.

vs 42

God is making a promise now so that in 70 odd years time they can see themselves coming back to the land and go, "Yeah, wow, God really is with us." It's always more impressive when you foreshadow something and it comes true.

vs 43

That sounds a lot like repentance to me.

vs 44

Really, whilst it is looks like God has fluctuated between these two positions in his dealing with Israel, what is probably more true is that God has always dealt with them according to his namesake, and only occasionally dealt with them according to their need for punishment. Now he's flipping that on its head, to make a point - but once again they will fall under his name. That's the promise here.

vs 45

Unsurprisingly.

vs 46

South? Judah? Or lands south of Judah? Let's see if it gets any clearer.

vs 47

This sounds like a reference to the last chapter, where God was talking about eagles planting trees, so I'm going to assume it's Jerusalem. Basically, Jerusalem is going to burn. We've heard this before.

vs 48

Once again, God is wanting people to know that it is him who is allowing the punishment of his holy city. He doesn't want anyone to think that it's somehow beyond his power to save them. They deserve it.

vs 49

Sounds like what people said to Jesus! I wonder if there will be a response in the next chapter.