Scripture

“You will remember your sins and cover your mouth in silent shame when I forgive you of all that you have done.”

Observation,

The Lord gives Ezekiel a parable about Israel.

He tells him that Jerusalem was like an abandoned baby left in its own blood. The Lord spoke life to the baby and it grew to into a healthy girl and then a beautiful woman. He rubbed fragrant oils into her skin, gave her expensive clothes and jewellery. She looked like a queen and her fame spread through the world.

Jerusalem thought her fame and beauty were her own doing. She gave herself as a prostitute to every man. This is adultery against the Lord.

So now the Lord will punish her for her adultery and idolatry. He will hand her over to those who were her allies and they will turn on her and destroy her.

The Lord will give her what she deserves but he will remember his covenant with her. He will forgive her and reaffirm his covenant with her. She will remember her sins and cover her mouth with silent shame when the Lord forgives her.

Application

Although our sins are terrible in the sight of the Lord, he will forgive us unconditionally,

We might recall our shame, but the Lord does not hold our sins against us. They no longer count.

Although the people of Ezekiel’s day had no knowledge of the cross of Christ, they did have the promise that God would forgive them and restore them.

Now, because of the blood that Christ shed on the cross, we can all know the awesome grace of Christ covering every sin.

We do have to receive this grace, though, and believe that in him we are forgiven of all unrighteousness.

Listen

Lord, is there more that you want to say to me about this chapter?

Keith, the leaders of Jerusalem were not content to worship other so called gods, they actually set up idols and worshipped them in my house

The adultery of this people, my own people, was beyond measure in every way possible. They trampled all that was holy.

I will not tolerate my chosen people, those who were called by my name chasing the world and not me. Every church that embraces the gods of the world will die. Even denominations that trample my holy name will be destroyed.