Over the years, I have heard several news reports about babies that have been found in dumpsters. Someone taking out the trash lifts the heavy lid and hears the muffled cry of a baby. Can you imagine that? The babies were adopted and went on to have good lives—but what an origin story! Imagine knowing that your mother did not care enough to raise you or even give you up for adoption, but just threw you away.
God describes Israel that way—it also applies to His church, the Bride of Christ:
“On the day you were born, your umbilical cord was not cut and you weren’t washed clean. You were not rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths. No one cared enough to do even one of these things. Instead you were thrown into an open field because you were despised.
I passed by and saw you lying in your blood, and I said to you, “Live!” I made you thrive. You grew up and became a beautiful woman. Then I passed by and saw you, that you were at the age for love. So I spread my garment over you and pledged Myself to you, entered a covenant with you, and you became Mine.
I washed you with water, rinsed off your blood, and anointed you with oil. I clothed you in fine clothes and silk. I adorned you with jewelry, chains, earrings, bracelets, and a tiara. You became extremely beautiful and attained royalty. Your beauty was perfect BECAUSE OF MY SPLENDOR.” Ezekiel 16:4-14.
Wow. God took amazing care of the abandoned child! He is our Kinsman-Redeemer, who rescues, restores, and redeems. He lavished good and grace and beauty on Israel. So what happened next?
“You became arrogant in your beauty and became a prostitute.” Ezekiel 16:15.
WHAT?! It gets worse: Israel was not the kind of prostitute who charges, but who PAYS. Prostitution is a metaphor for Israel’s pursuit of idols. The Bible repeatedly uses idolatry and lust interchangeably. I believe when we tolerate lust, God sees us as idolaters. Ask your amazing rescuer to rescue you from this serious sin!
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Household Words: 