Year 9, Day 142: Ezekiel 16

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Ezekiel 16 is a brilliant chapter of theology.  There is a message here, of course.  I don’t think there is a chapter in the Bible that is without message.  But the message is not so much in what the words say as it is in what the words reflect about humanity.

The chapter is a summary analogy of God’s relationship with the Hebrew people.  He, through Abraham, drew them out of the world.  He set them apart.  He grew them.  He clothed them.  He provided for them.  When they were big enough to be called a nation, He called them, gave them a home, and loved them.  He did everything that a husband should do for his bride.

The Hebrew people – representing the human side of the equation – rebelled.  They lusted after human passions.  They thought more of their own ways than the ways of God.  They honestly thought they knew better.  They chased their own ideals and discarded the Lord’s ways.

This is such a great analogy of all of us.  How many of us cannot read the last paragraph and not feel guilt?  How many of us will stand before the Lord and not have sin to confess?  He draws all of us to Him; yet we turn away.

What’s great about this chapter, though, is the ending.  God promises redemption.  He tells them that He will atone for their sins.  He will do the work.  It’s not that God expects the people to make their way back to Him; He will make His way to the people.  That’s the awesome thing about God.  We don’t buy His love.  We receive it.

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