Ezekiel 16:60-63
“All the same, I’ll remember the covenant I made with you when you were young and I’ll make a new covenant with you that will last forever. You’ll remember your sorry past and be properly contrite when you receive back your sisters, both the older and the younger. I’ll give them to you as daughters, but not as participants in your covenant. I’ll firmly establish my covenant with you and you’ll know that I am GOD. You’ll remember your past life and face the shame of it, but when I make atonement for you, make everything right after all you’ve done, it will leave you speechless.’” Decree of GOD, the Master.”
“Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you when you were young, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. Then you will remember with shame all the evil you have done. I will make your sisters, Samaria and Sodom, to be your daughters, even though they are not part of our covenant. And I will reaffirm my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the LORD. You will remember your sins and cover your mouth in silent shame when I forgive you of all that you have done. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!’”
God continues his lament over Israel until these last verses. He ends with this message of hope. One day Israel will repent and God himself will atone for her sins. Other gods must be supplicated. This God provides atonement and redemption. It does indeed leave me speechless.
Lord Jesus, thank you for enduring the punishment I deserve, cleaning and healing me. Thank you for bringing the message of God’s great love for us. As the old hymn says, “How can it be?” I bow to the ground in worship before you.