Ezekiel 16:15-29

content/bible_journal/ezekiel_16:15-29.md

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
++++
+title = "Ezekiel 16:15–29"
+date = "2023-04-10"
++++
+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ezekiel16.15-29)
+
+The queen that represents Jerusalem has been pampered and riches have been
+lavished upon her. But instead of being grateful to the One who put her in such
+a privileged position, she indulges in her base wants with anyone and everyone
+she can find. What should have been reserved for God alone (that is, worship)
+has instead been given away wantonly. Everything the Lord has given her is
+turned to this pursuit. The elegant clothes are made into bedsheets. The gold
+and silver become idols. Even the choice food she ate became offerings. And not
+only the flour, oil, and honey, but even the children that God caused her to
+have were sacrificed as a burnt offering. The metaphor wears thin here because
+all of these things literally happened in Israel and Jerusalem.
+
+As if this weren't already bad enough, the queen Jerusalem makes something like
+billboard advertisements for her beauty, offering herself even further afield
+than before. Partnering with the Egyptians provoked God's jealousy and He
+caused some of the land to be taken by enemies. These foreign alliances were an
+indication that the people failed to trust in the Lord for national security,
+something He had promised to them if they had been faithful to Him.
+
+He had in fact promised great blessings, on the condition that Israel would be
+faithful to keep the laws and commands He had set out for them. As Paul
+explains in Romans, this was an impossible task for them, and they needed to
+rely on God to hold up both His end of the covenant and theirs at the same
+time. But for the most part, they didn't even try.
+
+* * *
+
+You treat kindly with sinners who have been unfaithful to their Creator when
+they repent of their sins against You.