In our passage Ezekiel is told by God to make Jerusalem understand her mongrel origin and her unattended birth. She is to know that she was abhorred on the day she was born, but… as she was squirming in her blood God claimed the orphan, saying; “Live!” And live she did. This people grew numerous and matured to a place where God said she was physically mature, ready to give her love away, yet she was still naked and bare.
God responded by covering her nakedness with a covenant of betrothal. This people Ezekiel is calling Jerusalem was claimed by God as his own. She was brought into the king’s tent and was cleansed, perfumed, bejeweled and adorned, head to toe, with the finest clothes. Consequently…
Her fame went forth among the nations on account of her beauty, for it was perfect because of God’s splendor which He bestowed on her. (Ezekiel 16:14)
Clothed with covenants. This is the story of God’s beloved. She was initially clothed in the innocence of Eden. Then there was the Abrahamic Covenant followed by the Old Covenant with its Law. Each of them were designed to point to a marriage – a restoration of all things to God, especially his bride. It was foretold by the Prophets, heralded by John the Baptist and fulfilled in Jesus the Nazarite. The previous covenants were suitable in her youth, but in the fulness of her life, the Groom proposed afresh. Tragically, scandalously, Israel declined the proposal of a New Covenant. She preferred her nakedness to a wedding gown.
Some believe this rejection was Israel’s last opportunity for union with God. Some believe we gentiles have now become the wastrels without pedigree who have been rescued, replacing Israel at the alter. Given the persistence of God’s love, this would surprise me. I don’t know exactly who Israel is today but I doubt if we have replaced God’s first love. He claimed her as his own then. I suspect he sees her as his own now. I will leave the theology to the scholarly speculators. However as one rescued by this King and been shown his love, I have reason to believe that Israel (whoever she is) will be reconciled by the unfailing love of her Groom.
Father, win your bride’s affections. May the world see her adorned in the splendor of your love.