Ezekiel 16:62-63

These words come at the end of a long and agonising chapter in which God reminds Jerusalem of its rebellion against him. He recalls the fact that the city had heathen roots. Before it became the holy city for the people of Israel, Amorites and Hittites lived in the city.

God paints the picture of the city of Jerusalem as a baby, unwanted by its parents and cast out, left to die. This appalling custom was quite common at the time. But God came to this abandoned child and lavished his love and care upon her. The child became a beautiful woman, with whom her rescuer fell in love. She was given status and security, but was unfaithful and freely offered herself to other men as a prostitute. It’s a tragic story, and tells of the way in which God had been consistently rejected and mistreated by his people.

God was furious with Jerusalem for the way in which they had treated him, but he was also a God of covenant. He longed for restoration. This reminds us very strongly of the parable of the prodigal son, who abused his father by taking his inheritance and leaving the family home. It was a heartless thing to do, and the outcome was disastrous. The son soon ran out of money and decided his only option was to return home. No doubt the father was deeply hurt by the way in which he had been abused but, overwhelmed by love, he embraced his son the moment he returned.

That’s our God. However far we may run and however deeply we may have failed him, he looks at us with love and longs to welcome us back home.

QUESTION
How do you respond to God’s willingness to forgive you and welcome you back home?

PRAYER
Loving God, I am amazed by your patience with me. Thank you that you are willing to forgive me and restore me, however far I run from you. Amen

Released on 23 Jul 2023