“I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the LORD, that you may remember and be ashamed and never open your mouth anymore because of your disgrace, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord GOD” (Ezekiel 16:62–63 ESV).
Ezekiel closes this lengthy chapter of judgment and grace with a promise that only God could make. After exposing Jerusalem’s spiritual adultery, the LORD declares that He Himself will “establish [His] covenant” and “atone” for all her sin. Historically, Israel’s partial restoration from exile previewed this mercy, but the prophet’s words reach beyond the return from Babylon. The phrase “everlasting covenant” (v. 60) and God’s act of “atonement” look forward to the new covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31–34 and fulfilled in Christ’s sacrificial death (Heb. 8:8–12). Through Jesus, God both remembers His covenant and removes our guilt. Yet the full realization of this promise awaits the future day when “all Israel will be saved” (cf. Romans 11:26–27) and as the prophet Zechariah wrote, “they will look on Me whom they have pierced” (Zech. 12:10). On that day, Israel’s shame will give way to repentance and restoration under her Messiah Jesus.
God’s grace does not lead to pride but to humility. When we truly grasp that it is God who atones for our sins—through the blood of His Son—we are moved to repentance. The same atonement that cleanses us also convicts us, causing us to remember our sin with sorrow even as we receive and rejoice in His forgiveness. As believers, we already experience this promise in part, for we have been made right with God because we have received His atonement. Yet we look forward to that future day when the remnant of Israel will also know Him and the whole redeemed people of God will stand forgiven and humbled before His glory. Until then, let us return again and again to the cross of Christ, where grace covers our sin and shame and covenant love endures forever.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for atoning for our sins through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Teach us to remember with humility and to rejoice with gratitude. We long for the day when all Your people will know You and praise You for Your everlasting covenant of grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.