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God did not allow Ezekiel to forget that although judgment was brought upon the nation and its leaders because of their sin, he had a word of hope for the future (note again ch. 6). Yes, the Exile was God’s judgment on Israel’s sin, but it was to be a purifying experience for the faithful remnant. The Exile would teach them a lesson. In fact, it would completely change them, for then they would be willing to receive the undivided heart and new spirit that God would give them (v.19). When their spirit is completely committed to God they finally will be able to act as God’s people. Jeremiah called this same experience “the new covenant” (Jer 31:31-34), in which God’s Torah, or instruction, would be written on his people’s minds and hearts rather than on tablets of stone.