Through the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, God promises a new exodus, a new creation, and a new covenant. Ezekiel adds the promises of a new shepherd-king and new resurrection life.

Israel is like a flock of sheep, with oppressive shepherds as leaders. But God will come to seek and save the lost. He will gather and feed them. He will shepherd them through a new and better Davidic king.

Israel also needs new life. They are spiritually dead; the judgment of exile is itself like a judgment of death. They are separated from God, the very source of life and love. Like the rest of humanity, they need new hearts. They need a new spirit. They need spiritual life. And they are utterly incapable of doing this on their own. So God promises what only he can do: breathe new life into them and raise them from the dead.