8"‘Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your naked body. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine.
9"‘I bathed you with water and washed the blood from you and put ointments on you.
10I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments.
11I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck,
12and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head.
13So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen.
- P63
14And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord.
- P63
God tells Ezekiel to speak against the detestable practices of Jerusalem bybeginning with a parable about how He once cared for the city. He paintsa striking image of Him adopting a neglected child, speaking life into herso that she might flourish. God then describes His relationship with Jeru-salem as a marriage. He covers her nakedness, symbolizing a love rooted insincere care and protection, The city‘s riches and abundance were not herown, but gifts flowing from God‘s love and lavish generosity. - P64
This passagereminds us that no matter our heritage or background, God adopts us intoHis family and loves us as a husband cherishes his bride. Not only doesthis parable describe God‘s covenant love for His people, but it also modelswhat God-fearing relationships should look like, marked by self-giving love. - P64
Dear Jesus, thank You for adopting us into Your family and transformingus by Your love. Help our family love others like You have loved us. In Yourname, amen. - P65
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