Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• God has purposes for His living and active word
• Confirmation to preach from Ezekiel
• An orphan becomes a queen by way of marriage
• Once she was thrown out
• She was adopted
• She grew up
• God established a covenant with her
• God beautified her
• This beautiful queen
• Prostituted herself
• Turned her back on God
• Became willful in her rebellion
• God is speaking to her - calling her back
• God is showing her abominations
• She did not remember her former struggles
• v1 - God is speaking to Jerusalem
• What about us?
• Do we need someone to point out our sins?
• Example of David and Ahab
• Jerusalem needed a prophet
• Sometimes we need to be pricked in our consciences
• Overview:
1. What is the passage about?
2. How does the passage apply to us?

What is the passage about?

• It is about the origins and the growth of the city of Jerusalem
• Until the time of David and Solomon
• It probably stands for the whole nation
• v3 - Origins: an Amorite and a Hittite
• Not Abraham and Sarah
• Identified not with a godly ancestor but wicked/evil peoples
• There is no likeness to Abraham or Sarah - they are more like the pagans than the people of God
• Think of Rachel, Egypt, the people after the death of Joshua
• Not all Israel is Israel - He kept a remnant
• God sent the judges and there were reforms
• Many followed pagan practices
• 'Son of' - an euphemism: you inherit their characteristics
• It must have been shocking for this people to hear
• Many people today call themselves 'Christian'
• Yet they turn to other things
• They are far from it
• v4 - Nativity & Care: The nation described as an unwanted child
• Nobody to care, nobody to show kindness or mercy
• Left to die in the hot sun or fall victim to wild animals
• Some people say that this speaks of Egypt - explanation
• Nobody was concerned for this child except God (v6)
• The child grows into a beautiful adolescent - but she is vulnerable (v7)
• God protects her and takes her to Himself
• God takes His people under His wing (v8)
• A symbol of a marriage contract (think of Boaz)
• God covenanted Himself from eternity
• God covenanted Himself particularly at Mount Sinai
• God adorns her (v10-13)
• Treated as a queen
• Pointing towards the 100 year reign of David and Solomon
• A time where the temple was built and the nation was at it's height
• God gave her fame and beauty (v14)
• What is this passage about?
• The passage is all about the exceeding great mercy, kindness and love of God
• Love being spurned and neglected

How does the passage apply to us?

• The passage does not just apply to Judah and Jerusalem
• It applies to the whole world
• God saving His people in Jesus Christ
• Making His people His very own bride
• Does the passage describe you?
• Do you identify with this?
• We are selfish
• We are sinful
• God must punish sin - He has sent His Son, a Saviour
• No other religion has dealt with the problem of sin
• What do you believe about Jesus Christ?
• There is so much historical evidence
• Do you think it is a fable?
• Examine your heart in the light of the Scripture
• Do not ignore the power of God as He is act work in your heart
• Are we like the people of Jerusalem?
• These were ultimately an unrepentant people (this is not speaking about the remnant)
• Do we want to be like this or clean on the outside and clean on the inside?
• Through God at work in us, He enables us to live this life
• There is hope for the nation
• Jesus is the friend of sinners

Closing Remarks