The Spirit of God in Animation: a Detailed Analysis

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Ruah of God in Animation: a Detailed Analysis

Introduction: In our last lesson we noted some of the ways the “Spirit” [ruah] is used in Ezekiel. Ezekiel uses the word “Spirit” more than any other book in the Bible, and his use of the word fairly represents the ways the word spirit is used throughout scripture. When we understand these various uses, we are able to recognize how spirit is used in other scriptural contexts, especially in the NT. 

From our last lesson:

• The word ruah is translated by, wind, breath, and spirit depending on context
• One of the primary uses of ruah refers to animation, the giving of life. We will later see that ruah is used…
  • As prophetic inspiration
  • As the mind
  • As a sign of divine ownership

In this lesson we will examine ruah in animation in a more detailed analysis.

1. Ezekiel 36:16-32
   1. First, consider the condition of the nation and people. They are defiled and unclean. God has removed them from his presence sending them into captivity. This means the nation is dead. Seen from the position of the people in captivity, they are in a hopeless condition. It would be impossible by any human strength for the nation to revive. Their condition perfectly parallels our condition as a result of sin.
   2. Verse 22: “I am about to act…” Throughout the text, everything that happens is a result of God acting. The people are devoid of power or ability to change their circumstance. It is only God who can change their condition and relationship with him. And he will do so by his animating Spirit. It is important that we note this because Paul also describes our condition in this way: Ephesians 2:1-4.
   3. Since they have profaned God’s holy name, God must vindicate his name, proving to the nations that Israel’s captivity was because of their sins, not because of his lack of love or power toward them. Therefore, instead of casting the nation off, God would vindicate his name through them. He would use his power to change his people to be what he has always desired, which would cause the nations to know the Lord.
   4. Verse 24, Gathering them from the nations is an act of power and reversal, bringing the people back into his own house [Eden scene] where God can again enjoy a relationship with them. [Though Israel physically came back to their land, verses 25-27 indicate that the fulfillment was not until Christ in his kingdom.]
   5. Verses 25-27
      1. The uncleanness of the people from the idols is reversed as God cleanses them.
      2. However, cleansing is not enough, God must give them a new heart and new spirit [ruah], taking away the heart of stone (stubbornness), and giving them a heart of flesh [pliable and responsive].
      3. This new responsiveness makes it so God can put his spirit within them [re-creating them into his image and mind], which causes them to walk in his statutes and be careful to obey his rules.
      4. Verse 31 further describes their change of heart as they now loathe themselves for their iniquity and abominations.
2. Textual Parallels and Explanations of Ezekiel 36
   1. Compare Jeremiah 31:31-34 with 36:26-28. 
      1. There is a parallel between “I will put my law within them” and “I will put my Spirit within you.” That doesn’t mean when the scripture says “Spirit” we are to think of God’s laws or his word, but we are to understand that God’s word is a key mechanism or tool of the Spirit by which we are changed. As Paul would say in 1 Cor. 2:13, 16, it is by the words of the Spirit that “we have the mind of Christ.” Ephesians 4:24, “We are renewed in knowledge…” 
      2. Both texts also connect his Spirit or Law within us making it so he is our God and we are his people.” This signals a renewal of our covenantal relationship with the Lord. Therefore, the key to our covenant relationship is truly having God and his ways embedded in our hearts – not just surface knowledge.
   2. 2 Corinthians 3:1-18 also parallels this work of the Spirit
      1. The Corinthians were a “letter from Christ,” thus, Christ was the author of the letter. The one who penned the letter (amanuensis) was the Holy Spirit himself. The administrator or deliverer of the letter was Paul. The place on which the letter was written was the hearts of these Corinthians. Remember, God has done the same for us. And, it is the Spirit who wrote the letter, thus changed us and turned us into his letter.
      2. Notice further the words, “You show that you are a letter from Christ.” That would happen by people seeing how you live, how the Spirit, resulting from the implanted word, has changed you.
      3. As Ezekiel 36:26 states, these hearts are changed from hearts of stone to hearts of flesh. These are hearts no longer filled with sin and a desire to be rebellious. These are hearts that are humble and pliable, allowing the Spirit to change them. This was the result of Paul preaching the message of the cross (1 Cor. 1:17-18).
      4. For our purposes we can skip verses 7-16, which illustrates Israel’s refusal to come to the more glorious ministry or covenant. Note however, that it is the Spirit who brings the new covenant. 
      5. Verses 17-18 point us toward God’s ultimate purpose: transformation into the image of God, from one degree of glory to another. How is that accomplished? By gazing into the glory of God with unveiled faces: reading the Spirit’s words to see the glory of God in order to be transformed. Sound simple? It’s not. 4:4 – the god of this world wants to keep us blinded; he wants to keep the veil on.
      6. Notice the words, “For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” In other words, the Lord and his glory is represented by the work of the Spirit.
   3. Romans 5:1-6 also shows the work of the Spirit in connection with Ezekiel 36, but in this case the connection is not directly through the Spirit’s teaching but through the work of Christ. This text helps correct the view that “everything the Spirit does is through the word.
      1. Notice the connection between verse 5 and verse 6. Verse 6 begins with “for…” In other words, Christ died for us while we are ungodly and enemies, which is how the Spirit poured the love of God into our hearts. This fits 2 Cor. 3:18, the Lord is represented by the work of the Spirit. 
      2. This use of Spirit teaches us a unique principle: the Spirit’s work is done through what Jesus did. Therefore, how does the Spirit give us “life?” It is through what Jesus did that the Spirit pours out life. Obviously, the Spirit’s revelation was necessary for us to learn about what Jesus did so that our hearts were changed.
      3. Connect also with Ezekiel 36:31, in which God caused us to “loathe ourselves for our sins.” That happened through the work of the Spirit by what Jesus did on the cross. God’s love poured out into our hearts caused our change. “We love him because he first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19).
   4. In our next lesson, we will connect Ezekiel 36 with John 3:1-10 and the idea of being born from above.

Berry Kercheville

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