Passage
As the flock for sacrifice, as the flock of Jerusalem in her appointed feasts, so the waste cities will be filled with flocks of men. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.’”
Ezekiel 36:38 (WEB)
Nearby Context
Ezekiel 36:36 Then the nations that are left around you will know that I, Yahweh, have built the ruined places, and planted that which was desolate. I, Yahweh, have spoken it, and I will do it.”
Ezekiel 36:37 “‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “For this, moreover, will I be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them: I will increase them with men like a flock.
Ezekiel 36:38 As the flock for sacrifice, as the flock of Jerusalem in her appointed feasts, so the waste cities will be filled with flocks of men. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.’”
Study Lenses
The verse centers on "flock", "sacrifice", "jerusalem", "appointed", "feasts", "waste", and "cities". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "flock" and "sacrifice", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.
The prior verse says "Thus says the Lord Yahweh For this...", giving immediate footing for "flock" and "sacrifice". In Ezekiel context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.
A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "flock" and "sacrifice" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.