Ezekiel 16 begins with the word “abomination,” a term that appears ten more times throughout the chapter.
The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, make known to Jerusalem her abominations (Ezekiel 16.1-2).
“Abomination” signifies actions or practices that are utterly detestable to God, often because they violate His covenant with Israel. It is something loathsome or repugnant, typically involving idolatry, sexual immorality, and practices that the Israelite laws specifically condemned.
The summary of Ezekiel 16:3-14 below highlights God’s gracious gifts to Israel. The next section in the chapter will reveal how each of these gifts was met with a contemptible act of unfaithfulness toward their loving Lord.
- Jerusalem’s Humble Origins:
- God reminds Jerusalem of her Canaanite origins, with an Amorite father and Hittite mother.
- Abandoned at Birth:
- Jerusalem, symbolized as a newborn, was neglected—uncared for, unwashed, and left abandoned in a field.
- God’s Compassion:
- God saw Jerusalem in her vulnerable state, gave her life, and helped her grow like a plant in the field.
- Reaching Maturity:
- As Jerusalem matured into a young woman, she remained “naked and bare,” indicating vulnerability and need.
- God’s Covenant and Claim:
- God covered her with His cloak, symbolizing protection and commitment, and entered a covenant, declaring her His own.
- Purification and Adornment:
- God cleaned, anointed, and dressed Jerusalem in fine clothing, leather sandals, and rich fabrics, adorning her with jewelry and a crown.
- Transformation to Royalty:
- God provided abundant food and bestowed beauty upon Jerusalem, making her fit to be a queen.
- Fame and Beauty:
- Jerusalem’s beauty, a reflection of God’s splendor, became renowned among the nations.
God’s Expectations
From the very beginning, God’s people have been called to be a blessing to the world.
“I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12.2-3).
We are to reflect God’s character.
During my prayer time this morning, I focused on Psalm 36. Let’s explore aspects of God’s character that should shape the lives of His people, as we are called to be a blessing to the world.
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains;
your judgments are like the great deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O Lord. (Psalm 36.5-6)
(1) “Steadfast love” is one of the most significant terms in the Old Testament. It describes God’s unwavering commitment to act beneficially toward His people—helping, blessing, and extending grace when they fall short. This term captures the fullness of His character.
(2) Faithful – Israel’s neighbors could not rely on the gods they served. When their gods fought, humans fought; when their gods had problems, humans suffered as well.
Now, imagine this in contrast to the one true God, who is completely faithful. He always fulfills His promises and can be relied upon without fail.
(3) Righteous – Psalm 23 declares that God “leads us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3). When God places His name on something, He invests His reputation in it. Being led in the paths of righteousness means being guided along the right path.
God’s righteousness assures us that He will lead us correctly, staking His own reputation on it.
(4) Justice – Israel’s neighbors believed that the ocean, or “the deep,” was governed by chaos. In contrast, God overcomes all chaos through His judgments and justice.
God’s people have always been called to bless the world by living with steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice. However, what we see in the following sections of Ezekiel 16 is so opposed to these qualities that it is repeatedly labeled as “abomination.”
Reflections:
Henry Blackaby discusses the importance of aligning our lives with God’s Word, which reveals His desires for us. When we read Scripture, it calls us to bring our attitudes and actions in line with His will.
By reading the Prophets, the Psalms, or other portions of the Bible, we learn God’s will, so that we can understand it and put it into practice.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling YouTube channel.
Real Voices 