A Lenten Analysis of Ezekiel 16

I once heard someone say there's nothing really enjoyable in Ezekiel other than the Valley of the Dry Bones story. Though that's an exciting story and all, I think the writings of Ezekiel have tons of wisdom to offer. In fact, I think there's several passages that surpass that of Ezekiel 37. In our young adult ministry that meets on Monday nights, we just finished chapter 16 of the book, and let me tell you, if you haven't read Ezekiel 16 recently, you should. Throughout these next two posts, we will explore this chapter:  The Parable of the Adulteress Wife. Before we jump in, let's get some background.

As we know, God had created a covenant with Abraham, promising to give his descendants a region we know as the Promised Land. His lineage would become the tribes that made up the nation of Israel, and God had declared them to be His people, as long as they acknowledged Him as their God. This meant for the Israelites to be obedient to the laws and commands of the LORD.

In His covenant with the Israelites, God ensured the conquest of the Promised Land, under the condition that the Israelites would drive out the peoples already inhabiting the land. The reason:  God knew that if the Israelites had fellowship with these other people groups, that they would intermarry with them, and begin to worship their gods and adopt their impure habits. The Israelites failed to listen to the LORD, and low and behold, they began to serve the gods of the other nations, trusting in idols and political powers rather than on the sovereignty of God. After years and years of perpetual idolatry, desecration of the Temple, and self-reliance, the LORD was ready to give the people of Israel the punishment they deserved. This is where Ezekiel 16 comes in.

Ezekiel 16 opens up with a graphic description of an infant lying hopeless, abandoned, and destined for death. No one had bathed the child, cut her cord, or prepared her to be officially named and accepted by her family. Her fate lie solely with the LORD. Thankfully, God saw her in her condition, and cleaned her, prepared her, and raised her up. Her life was spared. God not only gives her life, though, as the parable teaches us, He also cares for and sustains her, as He prepares this child to be His bride. He lavishes her with the very best a groom was expected to provide; He was the perfect husband. Yet, quickly we see the child, now a grown woman, abandons her husband for other lovers. She offers those she takes to bed the riches of her groom. This of course represents Israel, and their failure to be faithful to the LORD.

Being both loving and just, God cannot simply stand by idly as His bride whores herself to false gods and lifeless idols. So, He "calls it as He sees it," and declares truth to the people of Israel. The message He gives is this:  "You, O people of Israel, are playing the whore. You have given the riches, the gifts, the abilities, and even your own children to these useless idols. Not out of necessity, but out of simple selfish pleasure and disobedience. As you play the whore, you do not even do that properly, as at least a whore is paid for her unrighteousness. You, O Israel, are paying to lose your righteousness, gaining nothing in return. Thus, you shall receive what is required by Law:  to be burned, stoned, and slain by the sword." This was the required punishments for a prostitute, adulteress, and idolator, all of which Israel was guilty of committing toward her groom.

Now, maybe this sounds harsh, but let's be clear:  God had already warned Israel countless times to repent and turn back to Him. This also was declared punishments to be found in the Law as written in Leviticus. The people knew what would come of those who committed such whoredom; there was no excuse of ignorance on the Israelites' part. Though the punishment is hard to swallow, it's what was deserved. However, notice the grace in the conviction. God does not call Israel a "whore," but rather, says she is "playing the whore." This is significant. It's one thing to be something, and it's another to play as something. One defines your identity, the other describes your condition. Even in His judgment, God reminds the people of Israel, that though they are currently being like a whore in the midst of their covenantal relationship, that's not truly who they are or who He has called them to be. Israel was made to be His bride, not a common whore.

Thankfully, we live in the light and grace of the New Covenant, where God calls both the Jew and the Gentile to be His bride. God has found us in our sin condition, destined for death, and has revived us, sustained us, and restored us in His grace for His glory. Like the Israelites, we too are tempted to play the whore, and give of ourselves intimately to the idols of this world. As we spend time in repentance, prayer, and mediation, the question stands:  are you living your life as a faithful bride? Or, are you playing the whore, living in intentional disobedience to the LORD God? If you've felt conviction throughout this Lenten season, do not be discouraged, because remember:  though your actions may be that of an idolator, God declares that you are His bride. Place your hope in who God has made you to be, and repent of your adulteress ways. God does all these things out of His deep love for us, so we will know that He is the LORD.