But in my judgment, to try to specify a certain group at a certain time is beside the point. If one looks ahead towards the end of the chapter (especially 34:20–31), it becomes evident that Ezekiel’s vision is not primarily political or this-worldly. A theocratic context might not have foreseen our (often secular) “separation of church and state.” But if we use that formula, we must accent the “church” component. Yahweh’s real concern is that Israel may be freed from “internal captivity”18 and enjoy