3813 — Conditions and Promises
The 16th chapter of Ezekiel consists largely of God's reproof to His people, and His comparison of His people with other great, sinful cities and peoples. Yet after all, God's people in the last analysis consist of the remnant. While His professed people have sinned so grievously that they are cut off largely, yet the remnant will be saved. That is the assurance that is given us in various scriptures; and therefore God will remember His covenant with them, and that covenant will be sure with them, and He will establish an everlasting covenant, verse 60 declares; and verse 61, that all those who are truly ashamed of their sins, those who, of course, are so ashamed as to forsake their sins, will be received into that covenant, not in the covenant which men may make, but which God will make, and that turning from sin and yielding to the Lord will bring to them the knowledge of the Lord. This covenant is the new covenant named in Jeremiah 31 and in Heb. 8:8-10. Israel had been full of complaints against God in their backsliding, but in that restoration they will nevermore complain, will nevermore desire to depart, will nevermore have aught against God, or any controversy against Him, as set forth in Micah. They will be His, and His forever.