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God's Love for Jerusalem Part One:
This is the longest chapter in Ezekiel, the story is told in detail in all its sordid, loathsome character, so that God’s infinite abhorrence of Israel’s sin may be clearly seen. In this poetic description of Israel’s history, one could match details of the story with events in Israel’s history – such as saying the “marriage covenant” described in Ezekiel 16:8 was the covenant made with Yahweh at Mount Sinai. "Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.” And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words" Exodus 24:7-8 (NKJV). Still, we don’t have to find a specific event or season of Israel’s history for each detail; this is prophetic poetry, and truly describes the relationship in its impressions.""And when I passed by you and saw you struggling in your own blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ Yes, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ I made youthrive like a plant in the field; and you grew, matured, and became very beautiful. Your breasts were formed, your hair grew, but you were naked and bare" Ezekiel 16:6-7 (NKJV).
This word of the Lord through Ezekiel concerns Jerusalem and the depths of her wickedness. Throughout this chapter, Jerusalem is used as an accurate representative of the people Israel as a whole. Ezekiel was charged by God to declare his message to Jerusalem as representative of all Judah, and even the entire nation. God used a vivid description to show how humble and poor Israel’s beginnings were. There was none to care for her at birth; all other nations were against her from the beginning. Israel was hated from birth, yet if not for the care of their covenant God, they would have perished. God took note of Israel in their humble and hated state. They would have perished, and contuinued to struggle in their own blood; if not for God’s grace-filled intervention. ""When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord God" Ezekiel 16:8 (NKJV).
God spread His wing over them and covered them nakedness: The text describe Israel and his relationship to with them, as they were grown yet still greatly neglected and needy. They needed God’s protection (spread His wing) and His provision (covered their nakedness): He gave them both. You were exceedingly beautiful, and succeeded to royalty: Because of God’s generous love and care, Israel excelled in beauty and was raised to royal status. They became famous among the nations, and it was all because of God’s splendor that He had bestowed upon them. It was not of themselves. ""But you trusted in your own beauty, played the harlot because of your fame, and poured out your harlotry on everyone passing by who would have it. You took some of your garments and adorned multicolored high places for yourself, and played the harlot on them. Such things should not happen, nor be. You have also taken your beautiful jewelry from My gold and My silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself male images and played the harlot with them. You took your embroidered garments and covered them, and you set My oil and My incense before them. Also My food which I gave you—the pastry of fine flour, oil, and honey which I fed you—you set it before them as sweet incense; and so it was,” says the Lord God" Ezekiel 16:15-19 (NKJV).
Every aspect of God’s blessing to Israel under the old covenant (washing, anointing, clothing, providing, adorning, crowning, and so forth) is given in great measure and glory in the new covenant.
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