Eze 16:14 | KingComments | STEP | When the LORD passes by the second time, the castaway child whom He has given life out of pity also becomes an object of His love ( ). The LORD does not remain her Foster Father, but becomes her Husband. His heart goes out to Jerusalem. In addition to care, He provides the city with protection and covering, of which the “skirt” or “wing” speaks ( ; ). Finally, He brings her into the closest relationship with Himself. He establishes a covenant with her and thus she becomes His possession. All this He ratifies with an oath. In the history of Israel we see this at Sinai. This covenant is also expressed with the picture of a marriage ( ; ; ). Then He continues to make her beautiful ( ). We see this happening from the time David conquers the city of Jerusalem (1049 BC) and makes the city the royal capital. That is the time of love. The LORD chooses this city and grants it extraordinary glory. He bathes her with water to wash off her blood from her ( ). Thus she is cleansed from the past. Then He anoints her with oil, expressing the great value she has for Him (cf. ). When we think of bathing and anointing we can also think of preparing a bride for marriage (cf. ; ). Then He puts beautiful clothing on her, the castaway foundling ( ; cf. ). He does not give her this clothing to put on herself, but He clothes her. We can think here of all the possible privileges the LORD has given the city. These privileges are like “porpoise skin”, untouchable for corruption. The clothes of “fine linen and … silk” shows the refined and precious nature of her privileges. After the clothes comes the jewelry ( ). They are the ornaments of a bride (cf. ). The “beautiful crown” is the bride’s crown, which also shows the royal highness to which she is exalted. Next, the LORD says as it were that she may look in the mirror and then says: “Thus you were adorned” ( ). He points her to the gold and silver, the fine linen and silk with which He has clothed her. It must have been a breathtaking sight for her, who had been so rejected and miserable, to see what He had done to her and made of her. In addition, He gives her the most precious food, the best nourishment for her growth ( ). The land where she is is a land flowing with milk and honey. Of that food she can enjoy to the fullest. This healthy food also contributes to the development of her beauty. She becomes “exceedingly beautiful”. The LORD has done everything possible to make this despised woman someone suitable for kingship. The city’s fame extends beyond her national borders ( ). The surrounding nations speak of her beauty with admiration. That beauty is not her own, but that of the LORD. He has laid His glory upon her. We see this in the time of Solomon, when the rumor about Solomon “concerning the name of the LORD” is heard as far away as the distant regions ( ).

‏ Ezekiel 16:14

Rise of Jerusalem

When the LORD passes by the second time, the castaway child whom He has given life out of pity also becomes an object of His love (Eze 16:8). The LORD does not remain her Foster Father, but becomes her Husband. His heart goes out to Jerusalem. In addition to care, He provides the city with protection and covering, of which the “skirt” or “wing” speaks (Rth 3:9; Mt 23:37). Finally, He brings her into the closest relationship with Himself. He establishes a covenant with her and thus she becomes His possession. All this He ratifies with an oath. In the history of Israel we see this at Sinai. This covenant is also expressed with the picture of a marriage (Isa 54:5; Jer 2:2; Hos 2:16 ; 19).

Then He continues to make her beautiful (Eze 16:9-13). We see this happening from the time David conquers the city of Jerusalem (1049 BC) and makes the city the royal capital. That is the time of love. The LORD chooses this city and grants it extraordinary glory.

He bathes her with water to wash off her blood from her (Eze 16:9). Thus she is cleansed from the past. Then He anoints her with oil, expressing the great value she has for Him (cf. Jn 12:3). When we think of bathing and anointing we can also think of preparing a bride for marriage (cf. Rth 3:3; Est 2:12).

Then He puts beautiful clothing on her, the castaway foundling (Eze 16:10; cf. Psa 45:13-14). He does not give her this clothing to put on herself, but He clothes her. We can think here of all the possible privileges the LORD has given the city. These privileges are like “porpoise skin”, untouchable for corruption. The clothes of “fine linen and … silk” shows the refined and precious nature of her privileges.

After the clothes comes the jewelry (Eze 16:11-12). They are the ornaments of a bride (cf. Gen 24:22). The “beautiful crown” is the bride’s crown, which also shows the royal highness to which she is exalted. Next, the LORD says as it were that she may look in the mirror and then says: “Thus you were adorned” (Eze 16:13). He points her to the gold and silver, the fine linen and silk with which He has clothed her. It must have been a breathtaking sight for her, who had been so rejected and miserable, to see what He had done to her and made of her.

In addition, He gives her the most precious food, the best nourishment for her growth (Deu 32:13-14). The land where she is is a land flowing with milk and honey. Of that food she can enjoy to the fullest. This healthy food also contributes to the development of her beauty. She becomes “exceedingly beautiful”. The LORD has done everything possible to make this despised woman someone suitable for kingship.

The city’s fame extends beyond her national borders (Eze 16:14). The surrounding nations speak of her beauty with admiration. That beauty is not her own, but that of the LORD. He has laid His glory upon her. We see this in the time of Solomon, when the rumor about Solomon “concerning the name of the LORD” is heard as far away as the distant regions (1Kgs 10:1).