New Hearts

Ezekiel is the only OT writer to promise a “new heart” to Israel (18:31; 36:26).  He promises hearts of flesh in place of hearts of stone.  What has given the people of Judah hearts of flesh in the first place?

Ezekiel 14:1-7 gives an answer: They have set (stone – gold and silver) idols in their hearts, and those who worship stone idols become stony.  The new heart is a heart that is no longer devoted to stone.

Devoted to what then?  We can corporatize this; Ezekiel is not just talking about individual Israelites worshiping idols, and hardening their hearts as a result.  He is talking about Judah as a whole: They have set dead stone at the heart of their corporate, liturgical life, where they should have set the Lord of life.  Ultimately, the transformation of hearts of flesh into stone requires an incarnation, an object of worship in flesh .  When Jesus is set before the eyes and in the heart of His people, then their hearts are made human again.