יחזקאל, פרק ל״ו, פסוק ט״ו

A prophetic promise marks the end of the Land of Israel's long period of humiliation, ushering in an era where its people will finally live in lasting peace and quiet [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. For generations, the Land endured deep insults from the surrounding world, but this suffering is destined to cease entirely.

A careful distinction is drawn between the different types of mockery the Land absorbed from various groups [מלבי״ם]. One form of shame came from lesser nations who actually lived within its borders. They mocked the Land up close, complaining that it was a harsh and difficult place to dwell. In contrast, a deeper disgrace came from larger, more powerful empires ruled by kings. Even though these great nations lived far away, the Land still bore the heavy weight of their scorn from a distance.

This distant disgrace was far more severe than the local shame. While the local shame was often baseless, the distant disgrace reflected a painful reality, pointing to the curse of God that had fallen upon the Land as a direct result of the Israelites' sins [מלבי״ם].

Looking toward the future, a divine assurance guarantees that the Land will no longer cause its people to stumble or perish within its borders [מצודת דוד]. Moving forward, the Land will no longer be a place of spiritual failure, as its future inhabitants will live righteous lives [מלבי״ם].