QT 06/08/2025 Wed. Ezekiel 16 Redeeming Love and Relentless Grace 救赎之爱与不懈的恩典

QT 06/08/2025 Wed. Ezekiel 16 Redeeming Love and Relentless Grace
READ http://www.esv.org/eze16

Ezekiel 16 is one of the most vivid and emotionally charged chapters in the Bible. It presents a powerful parable of God’s relationship with Jerusalem, portrayed as an unfaithful bride. This chapter is both deeply convicting and ultimately hopeful.

📖 Key Verses:
“I made my vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Lord God, and you became mine.” — Ezekiel 16:8b (ESV)

“Yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant.” — Ezekiel 16:60 (ESV)

🔍 Overview of the Chapter
Ezekiel 16 is a divine allegory in which God recounts Jerusalem’s spiritual history. It’s a story of:

(1) Mercy (vv. 1–14) – God finds Jerusalem abandoned, helpless, and filthy—like an unwanted baby—but rescues, nurtures, and beautifies her.

(2) Betrayal (vv. 15–58) – Despite God's grace, Jerusalem of Ezekiel’s time turns to idolatry and spiritual prostitution, worse than Sodom or Samaria.

(3) Redemption (vv. 59–63) – Even after such deep sin, God promises restoration based on His covenant love.

💡 Devotional Insights
(1) Grace Finds Us in Our Filth (vv. 4–6). “When I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you… ‘Live!’”

This is a picture of total depravity. We brought nothing to the table—God found us helpless and made us His own. Our salvation is 100% a gift of grace.

Reflection:
Have I forgotten the depths from which God rescued me? Am I living with gratitude for His undeserved love?

(2) God Beautifies What He Saves (vv. 9–14). God clothed Jerusalem in royal garments and adorned her with splendour. She became radiant because of Him.

Reflection:
Do I see my identity in what God has done for me? Or am I seeking beauty, value, or worth apart from Him?

(3) Sin is Spiritual Adultery (vv. 15–34). Jerusalem used her God-given gifts to serve idols. She gave her heart and body to others—far worse than prostitution.

Reflection:
Where am I giving my heart to things other than God? What gifts from God have I misused for selfish ends?

(4) God’s Justice is Righteous (vv. 35–52)
God does not overlook sin. Jerusalem is judged not only fairly but more harshly because of how deeply she knew God's love and still turned away.

Reflection:
Am I taking God’s mercy for granted? Do I treat sin lightly because I presume on grace?

(5) Grace Triumphs in the End (vv. 59–63)
Despite all her unfaithfulness, God declares: “I will establish for you an everlasting covenant…”

This is pure gospel. God doesn’t restore based on our repentance alone—but based on His covenant promise. This points forward to Jesus Christ, through whom God offers an eternal relationship.

Reflection:
Do I believe God's grace is greater than my sin? Am I clinging to the everlasting covenant in Christ?

🙏 Prayer Response:
Lord, I confess that I often forget how deeply You’ve loved and rescued me. I have taken Your gifts and pursued other loves. Thank You for not giving up on me. Thank You for the everlasting covenant sealed in Jesus. Help me to walk in faithfulness and to live as Your beloved. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

QT 06/08/2025 星期三. 救赎之爱与不懈的恩典
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Eze/16/

以西结书16章是圣经中最生动感人、情感充沛的章节之一。它以一个强大的比喻展现了上帝与耶路撒冷的关系，耶路撒冷被描绘成一个不忠的新娘。这一章既深刻地令人警醒，又最终充满希望。

📖 关键经文：
我又从你身旁经过，见你已经到了谈情说爱的时候，我就用我的衣襟搭在你身上，遮盖你赤裸的身体；我又向你起誓，与你立约，于是你就属于我了。这是主耶和华的宣告。——以西结书16:8

“‘但我仍要记念在你年幼的时候与你所立的约，也要与你坚立永远的约。”——以西结书16:60

🔍 本章概述
以西结书16章是一个神圣的寓言，上帝讲述了耶路撒冷的属灵历史。这是一个关于：

(1) 怜悯（1–14节）——上帝发现耶路撒冷被遗弃、无助、污秽，如同一个被弃的婴儿，但祂拯救、养育并美化了她。

(2) 背叛（15–58节）——尽管上帝施恩，以西结时代的耶路撒冷却转向偶像崇拜和属灵的淫乱，比所多玛或撒玛利亚更甚。

(3) 救赎（59–63节）——即使在如此深重的罪恶之后，上帝仍基于祂的盟约之爱应许恢复。

💡 默想要点
(1) 恩典在污秽中寻见我们（4–6节）: 我经过你身边，看见你躺在血中，我就对你说……‘活过来！’!

这是全然败坏的写照。我们毫无贡献——上帝发现我们无助，便使我们成为祂的子民。我们的救恩百分之百是恩典的礼物。

反思：我是否忘记了上帝从何等深渊中拯救了我？我是否因祂那不配得的爱而心怀感恩地生活？

(2) 上帝使祂所拯救的变得美丽（9–14节）。上帝为耶路撒冷披上皇家服饰，以荣耀装饰她。她因祂而焕发光彩。

反思：我是否在神为我所做的事上看到自己的身份？还是我在神之外寻求美、价值或意义？

(3) 罪是属灵的通奸（15–34节）。耶路撒冷用神赐给她的恩赐来侍奉偶像。她将心和身体献给他人——这比卖淫更糟糕。

反思：我将心交给除上帝以外的事物了吗？我是否滥用上帝赐予的恩赐来满足私欲？

(4) 上帝的公义是公道的（35–52节）
上帝不会忽视罪恶。耶路撒冷不仅被公正地审判，而且因她深知上帝的爱却仍背离祂，而受到更严厉的审判。

反思：我是否将上帝的怜悯视为理所当然？我是否因倚靠恩典而轻视罪恶？

(5) 恩典最终得胜（59–63节）
尽管她背信弃义，上帝宣告：“我要与你立永远的约……”

这是纯正的福音。上帝的恢复并非仅基于我们的悔改，而是基于祂的盟约应许。这预指耶稣基督，借着祂，上帝赐予永恒的关系。

反思：我是否相信上帝的恩典大于我的罪？我是否紧握在基督里的永恒盟约？

🙏 祷告回应：
主啊，我承认自己常常忘记您对我的深爱与拯救。我曾接受您的恩赐却追求其他情欲。感谢您没有放弃我。感谢您在耶稣里立下的永恒盟约。求您帮助我以信实行走，活出您所爱的样式。奉耶稣的名求。阿们。