16 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 17 Son of man, when the children of Israel were living in their land, they made it unclean by their way and their acts: their way before me was as when a woman is unclean at the time when she is kept separate. 18 So I let loose my wrath on them because of those whom they had violently put to death in the land, and because they had made it unclean with their images: 19 And I sent them in flight among the nations and wandering through the countries: I was their judge, rewarding them for their way and their acts. 20 And when they came among the nations, wherever they went, they made my holy name unclean, when it was said of them, These are the people of the Lord who have gone out from his land. 21 But I had pity for my holy name which the children of Israel had made unclean wherever they went. 22 For this cause say to the children of Israel, This is what the Lord has said: I am doing this, not because of you, O children of Israel, but because of my holy name, which you have made unclean among the nations wherever you went. 23 And I will make holy my great name which has been made unclean among the nations, which you have made unclean among them; and it will be clear to the nations that I am the Lord, says the Lord, when I make myself holy in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you out from among the nations, and get you together from all the countries, and take you into your land.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 36:16-24
Commentary on Ezekiel 36:16-24
(Read Ezekiel 36:16-24)
The restoration of that people, being typical of our redemption by Christ, shows that the end aimed at in our salvation is the glory of God. The sin of a people defiles their land; renders it abominable to God, and uncomfortable to themselves. God's holy name is his great name; his holiness is his greatness, nor does any thing else make a man truly great.