Ezekiel 16:35-63

“Because of your sins in which you acted more abominably than they, they are more in the right than you. So be ashamed, you also, and bear your disgrace, for you have made your sisters appear righteous.” (Ezekiel 16:52, ESV)

God always judges impartially. He is no respecter of persons, meaning that just because you have position, power, possessions or favor doesn’t mean that God will treat you any differently than someone else who has none of these. God rewards each person according to what he or she does. He is the great leveler of all human pride.

The people of Jerusalem thought they were better than those of Samaria and Sodom. But the truth was that they had committed worse abominations than these two cities whom God had already judged! Jerusalem's older sister was Samaria and her younger sister was Sodom, but these two sisters of ill repute were more righteous than her! How humiliating this must have been for the Jews living in Babylon and Jerusalem to hear.

Now God’s judgment was coming upon them.

“Because you have not remembered the days of your youth, but have enraged me with all these things, therefore, behold, I have returned your deeds upon your head, declares the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 16:43, ESV)

God would punish them until they were ashamed and willingly bore their disgrace. He would expose Jerusalem's nakedness before her lovers until she experienced the fullness of their contempt. They would strip her of her fine clothing and jewelry and leave her naked and bare. Then His wrath would be satisfied and He would be calm. Moreover, He would restore her to her former state along with her sisters Samaria and Sodom. The LORD would remember His covenant with her in the days of her youth and atone for her for all she had done. Then He would establish an everlasting covenant with her.

Oh, the wonderful mercies of God! He is slow to anger, but He will not turn a blind eye to our sins nor allow us to look down on others with contempt. He judges everyone impartially, yet He establishes His everlasting covenant with the objects of His mercy. Wouldn’t we all have to admit that He has been far more gracious toward us than we deserve?