What lessons can we learn from God's message to Jerusalem in Ezekiel 16:1? Setting the Scene “Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying” (Ezekiel 16:1). One short statement, yet it opens a sweeping, convicting, and hope-filled chapter. God’s people had compromised; still, the Lord pursued them with truth. God Speaks—and Keeps Speaking • The word “Again” reminds us of God’s relentless commitment to communicate. • He does not abandon, even when His people drift (Isaiah 30:21). • Scripture’s accuracy stands: every time it records “the word of the LORD,” we can trust that God literally spoke (2 Peter 1:20-21). Divine Initiative in Confrontation • God Himself initiates the message, proving that correction flows from His holiness, not human irritation (Revelation 3:19). • Our sin never surprises Him; He addresses it directly and specifically. The Prophet’s Calling • Ezekiel receives God’s word, not his own ideas (Jeremiah 1:7). • Faithful messengers pass on Scripture without dilution—an enduring model for every teacher and parent today (2 Timothy 4:2). Accountability of the Covenant Community • Though the verse names only Jerusalem, the principle applies to all God’s people: privilege brings responsibility (Amos 3:2). • National, congregational, and personal life must align with God’s revealed word. Grace Behind the Rebuke • God confronts to restore, not to crush (Hosea 6:1). • Ezekiel 16 ends with a promise of atonement (v. 63), proving that grace undergirds every call to repent. Takeaways for Today • Expect God to speak—through Scripture—again and again. • Welcome loving correction as evidence of His fatherly care (Hebrews 12:5-6). • Hold teachers to the standard of delivering God’s word, not merely opinions. • Remember: confrontation is an invitation to return to covenant faithfulness and enjoy restored fellowship with the Lord. |
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