Skeletons in the Closet

SOME people go to great lengths to hide their background. They feel ashamed of certain details about their origins which they regard as “skeletons in the closet,” ugly facts that they feel would harm their reputation if brought out into the open. God rebuked the people of Jerusalem and the surrounding country by revealing three “secrets” about their past that called into question their proud self-image. The Lord said that:

• They were born to Canaanite parents (Ezekiel 16:3).
• They were abandoned at birth (Ezekiel 16:4-5).
• They were adopted (Ezekiel 16:6-7).

The humiliating facts about Jerusalem’s past are basically no different from the “skeletons in the closet” of any Christian today. We, too, were born outside the family of God. We, too, were once lost apart from His grace. We, too, have been adopted in God’s family. Therefore, we, too, need to evaluate our lives and consider whether we are living with humility and gratitude, and honoring the Lord with our attitudes and behavior. Otherwise we raise questions as to whether we really belong to God.

Courtesy of Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.