When I have brought them again from the people
According to my promises; and gathered them out of their enemies' lands Wherever they were scattered; and am sanctified in them By their patiently accepting punishment, repenting of sin, loathing their former ways, and themselves on account of them, acknowledging me to be holy, just, and good, and dedicating themselves unreservedly to my service; when I am thus sanctified among them, and in the sight of the nations who shall see that the furnace has purified them; then shall they know On the fullest experience and clearest evidence; that I am the Lord their God And that I have never ceased to exercise a paternal care over them; and in all my chastisements of them, as well as my benefits conferred on them, have had their good in view: see notes on Ezekiel 39:22, and Ezekiel 34:30. Observe, reader, by the variety of events through which God brings us in the course of his providence, if we look up to him in them all, we shall become better acquainted, both with his divine perfections, and his various designs in all his dispensations toward us.