Monday, July 11, 2011

Sinful People, Everlasting Covenant

And I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the LORD, that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done," says the Lord GOD.' " -Ezekiel 16:62-63

Ezekiel just finished describing how the people of Israel had been cared for by the Lord and how they played the harlot with other nations and other gods. The Israelites were so wicked, in fact, that God said even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were to walk through the land, they would be the only ones spared because of their righteousness. 

Picture Abraham interceding for Sodom. He asked God to spare the city for just ten righteous people. God said that He would spare the city if there were ten righteous people. There weren't, and only Lot escaped with his daughters. Here in Ezekiel, there is really no difference. God says that there is no one righteous, they have all played the harlot and done detestable, abominable things before God.

Yet God also says that He will establish with them an everlasting covenant and provide atonement for their wickedness. This is God's grace. Israel had done nothing to deserve God's favor. They had done everything to deserve His wrath. But God, in His mercy and grace, will establish an everlasting covenant with Israel. Truly, God is not done with Israel. He never will be, for He has given them this everlasting covenant.

"Then you shall know that I am the Lord" This phrase keeps popping up all over the book of Ezekiel. Though Israel had forgotten who the Lord was and what He had done for them, He would work among them so that they would know that He is the Lord. He is the covenant God, the Almighty, the All-Gracious, the All-Merciful God. This sinful people would know that God loves them.

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