«I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you’ » (Ezekiel 16:60).
IF THERE WAS EVER a puzzling chapter in the Bible, it is Ezekiel 16, the longest chapter in the book. By means of a well-thought-out allegory, full of poetic phrases and figures of speech, the Lord expressed His disappointment over the people’s infidelity. The first thing He asks the prophet to do is to «cause Jerusalem to know her abominations» (verse 2), a word that will be repeated eleven times in the chapter, which refers to despicable actions that cause horror and disgust. The Hebrew word tö’ébä refers to that «which is repugnant and abhorrent.»
Then, throughout the text, God reveals what He regards as an abomination, including making images and fornicating with them (verse 17) and sacrificing their children to heathen gods (verse 21). Worse still, because of the great amount of fornication with foreign nations and gods, the Lord called the chosen nation a «prostitute» (verse 35). However, in spite of bringing all of Jerusalem’s sins to light, the Lord ends the chapter with these words: «Nevertheless I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you» (verse 60).
Here Ezekiel confronts us with the mystery of God’s faithfulness in the face of our infamous human unfaithfulness. As we drift away from God, He does not drift away from us. He isn’t like us; He doesn’t abandon us when we abandon Him. We break the covenant, but He remains faithful to it. He doesn’t do to us what we do to Him. In spite of our wickedness, He continues to find a way to let us know He forgives us.
One of my favorite Ellen G. White quotes, which I believe adequately summarizes the message of Ezekiel 16, says, «We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.»
Despite the fact that we have strayed from God, He is still by our side. Always remember this today, and every day of your life.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2023
“I AM WITH YOU”
From: J. VLADIMIR POLANCO
Collaborators: Lorina Maya & Angelica Cuate
