(Week #33) A Kingdom Parable: Jerusalem From God’s Perspective (Ezekiel 16:1-63)

Parable- A short, simple story designed to communicate a spiritual truth…In a parable something is placed alongside something else, in order that one may throw light on the other. In chapter 16, Jerusalem is compared to an unwanted infant, an unfaithful queen, and a recipient of God’s grace.

I. Her Beginnings (v. 1-7)
A. Jerusalem’s Origin (v.1-3)
B. Jerusalem’s Oppression (v.4-7)

II. Her Betrothal (v. 8-14)
A. God took an orphan and made her a queen. [Ex. 24:3–8] (v.8,14)

III. Her Behavior (v. 15-34)
A. The bride engaged in the worst of sins.
a. Adultery (v. 15)
b. Idolatry (v.16-19)
c. Murdering her own children (v.20-23)
d. Reverse Prostitution (v. 24-29)

IV. Her Banishment (v. 35-59)
A. God judged her with public shaming and exile.

V. Her Blessing (v.60-63)
A. Jerusalem would eventually repent and be restored.
a. God would remember the Abrahamic covenant. [Gen. 12:1-3, 15:1-18; Jer. 31:31] (v.62-63)
b. God would make a New Covenant [Jer. 31:31; John 3:1-7]
c. Views concerning being born of “water and spirit.” [John 3:5]
1. The “water” refers to the natural birth, and the “Spirit” to the birth from above.
2. Being born again is based upon one’s being baptized in water or baptismal regeneration.
3. Being born again is based upon God’s act of regeneration and spiritual cleansing. It is not a reference to water baptism. [Ezek. 36:24–28]

VI. Principles for Christians
A. Know the truth about man’s condition. Like Israel, man in his natural, sinful, state can do nothing to change his condition before God. As such, he must be born again.
B. Know the truth about salvation. Being born again through regeneration is a sovereign act of God whereby he cleanses you and gives you a new heart. This is not for everyone. It is only for those who trust [believe] in Jesus Christ.
C. Know the truth about your responsibility. God expects your participation in church and not passivity. You cannot say you love Christ and have an aversion to being with Christ’s people. (John 13:34–35)

Warren Wiersbe, “Ezekiel 16:1-14 Commentary,” Online. Accessed August 17, 2019. https://www.preceptaustin.org/ezekiel_161-14
Charles H. Dyer, “Ezekiel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 1257.
Lamar Eugene Cooper, Ezekiel, vol. 17, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 177.
Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999), 974-75.
United Church of Christ Doctrine. Online. Accessed August 17, 2019. https://www.ucc.org/worship_baptism
John MacArthur, “What Does It Mean to be Born of Water and Spirit?” Online. Accessed August 16, 2019. https://www.gty.org/library/bibleqnas-library/QA0302/what-does-it-mean-to-be-born-of-water-and-spirit
John MacArthur, “What Does It Mean to be Born of Water and Spirit?” Online. Accessed August 16, 2019. https://www.gty.org/library/bibleqnas-library/QA0302/what-does-it-mean-to-be-born-of-water-and-spirit
Robert V. McCabe, “The Meaning Of “Born Of Water And The Spirit” In John 3:5,” DBSJ 04:1 (Fall 1999), 106-07.