Good and Bad Wives

In Ezekiel 16 God describes in figurative language how he found the nation of Israel and made her his wife.

- he describes her as newborn baby… a neglected baby.

- he took the neglected baby and made her grow.

- she grew into a beautiful young woman and he clothed and adorned her and married her.

- but she turned into a prostitute and sacrificed her children to idols.

so he turned her over to her adulterous lovers and they used and abused her and she was ashamed and disgraced for what she did.

Jesus uses similar language about his wife the church in Ephesians 6… she was unclean and blemished, spotted and wrinkled but Jesus loved her just like God loved his wife Israel.

- Jesus gave himself up for her because he loved her.

- He set her apart as his one true bride and cleaned her up with his word.

- She like Israel was “glorious” and without any defect.

- He continually cherished her and nourished her and he was “one” with her.

But like God’s wife Israel some of Jesus’ people rebelled against him and…

- left their first love (Rev 2:4)

- left the teachings of Jesus and followed after others (Rev 2:15)

- became followers of Jezebel and her teachings of fornication (Rev 2:20)

Jesus warned them if they didn’t repent they could no longer be his wife. (Rev 2:5)

He portrayed himself as having eyes like fire and a loud angry voice and a sharp sword coming out of his mouth. (Rev 1:13-17)

Don’t forget when we were lost in sin and Jesus cleaned us with his very own blood and gave us the great honor and privilege to be his wife.

Don’t forget that he won’t tolerate adultery against him and allow us to be abused by the demons we might find so attractive.

Remember how handsome and loving Jesus Christ is and don’t take your eye off of him… or things could be bad… very bad.