The Cost of Turning Away from God
"And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare." - Ezekiel 16:39
Ezekiel 16:39 reads, "And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare." This verse, echoing in the depths of heartbreak and consequence, reveals the profound cost of infidelity to God, not just for the people of Jerusalem but for us today.
The chapter of Ezekiel paints a vivid picture of Israel’s spiritual infidelity. Through poetic allegory, the Lord likens Jerusalem to an unfaithful wife who once enjoyed His love and blessings but chose to pursue other lovers. This is more than mere physical betrayal; it is a deep-seated issue of the heart that speaks to worship and faithfulness. In the same vein, how often do we allow the distractions of this world—pride, possessions, or relationships—to lead us away from our First Love?
When God says, “I will also give thee into their hand,” it is a warning of the consequences that follow the choice of rebellion and idolatry. What happens when we neglect our relationship with the Creator? When we elevate other priorities to take God’s place? We find ourselves exposed and vulnerable, stripped of the very protection and provision He desires to give us. His heart breaks for us, and yet, He recognizes that discipline is sometimes necessary for us to return to a path of righteousness.
The striking imagery of throwing down “thine eminent place” and breaking down “thy high places” speaks to the destruction of what was once considered holy, esteemed, and valuable. The eminent place symbolizes the sacred spaces we create for God within our lives. When we choose to side with the world instead of God, we invite chaos both individually and collectively into our lives. Everything grasped in arrogance and self-importance comes tumbling down, leaving behind a landscape that resembles devastation rather than the flourishing promised in Him.
Moreover, this verse extends into the stripping of clothes and jewels, representing more than just physical adornments. They signify our identity, our status, and our worth. When we chase after false gods—perhaps in the form of success, wealth, or societal approval—we ultimately pay a price. We become naked and bare, devoid of the protection and righteousness that comes from living in alignment with God. It is a sobering thought to consider: what do we have left when these distractions have run their course?
As we reflect on this sobering assessment, we are invited to shift our perspective. Rather than placing our security in external validations, let us remember that our worth is inherently tied to our Creator. We must seek His presence above all, allowing Him to clothe us in His righteousness so that we may shine as vessels of His glory. As we remain steadfast in our relationship with Him, we evoke a life that acknowledges the beautiful and fair jewels of grace, love, forgiveness, and faithfulness that He adorns us with.
Today's call to action lies in deeper self-examination. Reflect on your own high places. Are there areas in your life where you have allowed something or someone to overshadow your relationship with God? Renounce any patterns of unfaithfulness that may be diminishing your stature and presence in Christ. Choose to realign your heart, stripping away the false coverings we may have put on in favor of transient satisfaction. Embrace vulnerability before God, for it is only He who can clothe us anew in His fullness.
In acceptance of God’s call to faithfulness, remember that true richness is found not in what we can accumulate but in what we can give back to Him in love and obedience. Take time today to pray, asking God to search your heart, and to restore unto you the joy of His salvation, that you might stand clothed in grace, not left naked and bare.
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Ezekiel 16:39 Artwork
Ezekiel 16:39 - "And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare."
Ezekiel 16:39 (KJVA) 39 And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare.
Ezekiel 16:39 (KJVA) 39 And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare.
"And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare." - Ezekiel 16:39
Ezekiel 39:16 - "And also the name of the city shall be Hamonah. Thus shall they cleanse the land."
"And also the name of the city shall be Hamonah. Thus shall they cleanse the land." - Ezekiel 39:16
Ezekiel 39:11
Ezekiel 39:11
Ezekiel 39:12 - "And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land."
Ezekiel 39:8 - "¶ Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken."
Ezekiel 39:22 - "So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward."
Ezekiel 39:5 - "Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 39:11 Valley of Hamongog east of the dead sea in Israel
Ezekiel 39:6 - "And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD."
Ezekiel 39:24 - "According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from them."
Acts 16:39 - "And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city."
Genesis 39:16 - "And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home."
Ezekiel 39:3 - "And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand."
Ezekiel 39:20 - "Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD."
1 Chronicles 16:39 - "And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,"
Ezekiel 39:13 - "Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 40:39 - "¶ And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering."
Exodus 39:16 - "And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate."
Ezekiel 23:39 - "For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house."
Job 39:16 - "She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;"
Ezekiel 39:19 - "And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you."
Ezekiel 39:27 - "When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;"
Ezekiel 39:26 - "After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid."
Ezekiel 39:2 - "And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:"
Ezekiel 39:15 - "And the passengers that pass through the land, when any seeth a man's bone, then shall he set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamon-gog."