17. (a) What encouragement does Jehovah give at Ezekiel 37:27, 28? (b) How do we know that Jehovah’s watch-care is not limited to spiritual Israel?

¹⁷ At Ezekiel 37, verses 27 and 28, we read Jehovah’s concluding words of encouragement to his united flock:

“And my tabernacle will actually prove to be over them, and I shall certainly become their God, and they themselves will become my people.

How glad we are that Jehovah’s protection is spread over his people like a tent! Nor is this loving watch-care limited to spiritual Israel, for we read concerning the “great crowd” that “the One seated on the throne will spread his tent over them.” No longer does any heat of Jehovah’s displeasure strike them.​—Revelation 7:9-17.