Lessons from Ezekiel 16 on Mercy, Restoration, and Never Forgetting the One Who Said “Live”

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One look from GOD can change everything.

You Can Be Overlooked by People but Seen by GOD

You can be overlooked and undervalued, neglected by so many individuals and situations, but one look from GOD can change your life.

I was reading Ezekiel 16. Now the full context of this chapter was to cause Jerusalem to know her abominations. Yet before the Lord addressed her sins, He took her back to where it all began.

Sometimes before GOD corrects us, He reminds us of His mercy.

Sometimes before He addresses where we have gone wrong, He reminds us how far He has brought us.

The chapter begins by describing Jerusalem’s birth.

Her mother and father are identified. Then we are told what happened when she was born. Her navel was not cut. She was not washed with water. She was not salted or swaddled. No eye pitied her. No one had compassion upon her. She was cast out into an open field, rejected and abandoned from the very beginning.

“And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all.” — Ezekiel 16:4 (KJV)

Imagine that.

No comfort.

No protection.

No compassion.

No one looking upon you with love.

Many people know what that feels like. Some have experienced rejection from family. Some have been overlooked by friends. Some have felt forgotten by the world.

Yet the story does not end there.

Then GOD Passed By

The most powerful part of this chapter begins with a simple statement.

“And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.” — Ezekiel 16:6 (KJV)

What changed Jerusalem’s life?

• A look from GOD.
• A passing by from GOD.
• A word from GOD.

While she was still in her condition, still polluted, still abandoned, still broken, the Lord said:

LIVE.

Not after she fixed herself.

Not after she became beautiful.

Not after she became successful.

While she was still in her blood.

The Lord said, “Live.”

When GOD Begins Restoring What Others Ignored

The Lord caused her to multiply as the bud of the field.

She increased.

She waxed great.

She came into excellent ornaments.

Her beauty began to emerge.

Then the Lord looked upon her again.

“Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love…” — Ezekiel 16:8 (KJV)

There is something powerful about being seen by GOD.

The world may overlook you.

People may underestimate you.

Some may never recognize your worth.

But when GOD looks upon you, everything changes.

The Lord spread His skirt over her.

He covered her nakedness.

He entered into covenant with her.

And then He declared:

“…and thou becamest mine.” — Ezekiel 16:8 (KJV)

He Washed Her

Then He washed her with water.

Yes, He thoroughly washed away her blood from her.

He anointed her with oil.

He clothed her with fine linen.

He covered her with silk.

He adorned her with bracelets, chains, jewels, earrings, and a beautiful crown.

Everything she became was because of GOD.

Everything beautiful about her came from the One who first saw her.

“And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.” — Ezekiel 16:14 (KJV)

Notice that.

Her beauty was perfect because of His comeliness.

Her restoration came from Him.

Her prosperity came from Him.

Her healing came from Him.

Her identity came from Him.

Never Forget Who Lifted You

Although this chapter ultimately reveals Jerusalem’s unfaithfulness, the Lord begins by reminding her where she came from.

Because when blessings increase, people sometimes forget the One who gave them.

When life improves, it becomes easy to forget the days of struggle.

When healing comes, it becomes easy to forget who healed you.

When restoration comes, it becomes easy to forget who restored you.

The message is simple:

Never Forget Him.

Remember who loved you when things were not so great.

Remember who comforted you when you were broken.

Remember who healed you when you were hurting.

Remember who strengthened you when you were weak.

Remember who lifted you when your world felt like it was falling apart.

Never let people, possessions, status, or success pull you away from GOD.

Yes, GOD is merciful.

Yes, GOD is forgiving.

Yes, GOD is loving.

But He is also mighty.

He is strong.

He is our Creator.

He deserves our truest love and loyalty.

We may never fully measure up to our GOD, but we can faithfully remember Him, honor Him, and give thanks for all He has done.

“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments.” — Proverbs 3:1 (KJV)

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One look from GOD can change your life.

Never forget the One who first said:

LIVE.

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