Ezekiel 36:21-23 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

But I had pity for my holy name That is, as it is expressed Ezekiel 20:9, I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted, or brought into disgrace, among the heathen: I preserved, reformed, brought back my people from captivity, and re-established them in their own land, for the honour of my mercy, truth, and power. Say, I do not do this for your sakes, &c. The promises I make in your favour are not owing to any desert of yours, but purely to vindicate my own honour. And I will sanctify my great name, &c. I will give illustrious proofs of my power and goodness, and vindicate my honour from the reproaches with which it hath been blasphemed among the heathen, upon the occasion of your evil doings and your sufferings. And the heathen shall know that I am the Lord The return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity was taken notice of by the heathen as a signal instance of God's providence toward them, as appears from Psalms 126:2. And their general conversion, and future restoration to their own land, will be a much more remarkable proof of God's fulfilling the promises made to their fathers; so that the heathen themselves will be compelled to observe and acknowledge it: see Ezekiel 37:28. When I shall be sanctified in you before your eyes When, by means of the wonderful power and goodness which I shall manifest in your restoration, they shall be convinced that I am indeed the living and true God.