After going through Nancy Guthrie’s series on Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament and getting just a taste of some of the Old Testament books, I wanted to dig deeper into Ezekiel. It’s a fascinating book, though a bit intimidating. It starts off with the majestic glory of God being revealed to Ezekiel. Then it goes through the judgments on Israel for her rebellion against God.
Chapter 16 was an amazing discovery! Israel was cast out at birth, wallowing in her own blood. God passed by her and said to her, “Live”. He made her to flourish. Later He passed by her again and saw that she was at the age for love, so He spread His garment over her and made a covenant with her. He then proceeded to lavish her with beautiful jewelry and clothing, giving her food. The picture of His generosity is expanded over several verses of all that He has given to her.
But she did not remember and turned to others who passed by her. Rather than staying with the God who had passed by her and given her everything, she turned instead to other passersby and went after them. She took the gifts that God had given her and turned them into idols to worship. After recounting all her abominations, God remembers His covenant. Israel did not remember, but God remembered. While this passage is recounting Israel, there is so much of ourselves that we can see in it. How we have forsaken God and not remembered His lavish gifts to us. Taking the gifts He gives us and turning them into idols to worship instead of Him. But God….
“For thus says the Lord God: I will deal with you as you have done, you who have despised the oath in breaking the covenant, yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant. Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you take your sisters, both your elder and your younger, and I give them to you as daughters, but not on account of the covenant with you. I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the Lord, that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 16:59-63 ESV)
Sojourner Between Worlds 