“and I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness; I made my vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Lord God, and you became mine” (Ezekiel 16:8 ESV)

The word of the Lord came to the prophet Ezekiel describing the way He had taken Israel as His bride when she was still weak and in the wilderness. As Boaz “spread the corner” (Ruth 3:9) of his garment over Ruth, so the Lord took Israel as His wife and redeemed her as His own. Yet, she did not remember their wedding “covenant” at Sinai. Instead of returning His love and commitment, she “played the whore” (v.15) with the idolatrous nations surrounding her. So God removed His protection and gave her over to those same nations for judgment. However, God does not “retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love” (Micah 7:18). He sent His only begotten Son to be as a Boaz Redeemer that He might purchase for Himself a bride from both Jew and Gentile those that would believe on Him.