Read & explore together
The Covenant Remembered
In these verses, the Lord speaks about judgement, covenant, memory, shame and forgiveness. The passage moves from the broken covenant to the Lord’s decision to remember his covenant and establish it.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This short section is part of a prophetic message spoken by the Lord Yahweh. In these verses, the focus is on two linked truths: the people have despised an oath and broken a covenant, yet the Lord says he will remember his covenant and establish it. The result includes shame, knowing the Lord and forgiveness.
Ezekiel 16:59–63Main takeaway
This passage teaches that the Lord judges covenant unfaithfulness, yet he himself remembers and establishes his covenant, leading to humbled remembrance and forgiveness.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Broken oath and covenantThe passage begins with the Lord Yahweh saying he will deal with the people according to what they have done.
Explanation
The passage begins with the Lord Yahweh saying he will deal with the people according to what they have done. Their sin is described specifically as despising the oath and breaking the covenant. The problem is not a small mistake, but unfaithfulness to a binding covenant relationship.
02The Lord remembers his covenantAfter judgement is announced, the word nevertheless introduces a surprising turn. The Lord says he will remember his covenant from the days of youth and establish an everlasting covenant.
Explanation
After judgement is announced, the word nevertheless introduces a surprising turn. The Lord says he will remember his covenant from the days of youth and establish an everlasting covenant. The stress falls on the Lord’s action. He remembers and he establishes the covenant.
03Remembrance joined with shameThe people will remember their ways and be ashamed. The mention of elder and younger sisters points to added relationships, yet the Lord says this will happen not by your covenant.
Explanation
The people will remember their ways and be ashamed. The mention of elder and younger sisters points to added relationships, yet the Lord says this will happen not by your covenant. That wording shows the gift does not come from their covenant faithfulness, so their remembering is humble, not boastful.
04Covenant, knowledge and forgiven shameThe Lord repeats that he will establish his covenant, and then the people will know that he is Yahweh.
Explanation
The Lord repeats that he will establish his covenant, and then the people will know that he is Yahweh. Verse 63 adds remembrance, shame and silence when the Lord has forgiven all they have done. The passage presents forgiveness alongside shame and silence, showing a humbled response after forgiveness.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What contrast do you see between verses 59 and 60?
Verse 59 speaks about despising the oath and breaking the covenant, while verse 60 says the Lord will remember his covenant and establish it.
02How does verse 61 describe the people’s response when they remember their ways?
Look for the words about remembering, shame and the note that this is not by your covenant.
03According to verses 62 and 63, what follows when the Lord establishes his covenant?
Notice the results named in the verses: knowing that he is Yahweh, remembering, being confounded and silence because of shame when forgiveness is given.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 16:59–63
59“ ‘For the Lord Yahweh says: “I will also deal with you as you have done, who have despised the oath in breaking the covenant.
60Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.
61Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your sisters, your elder sisters and your younger; and I will give them to you for daughters, but not by your covenant.
62I will establish my covenant with you. Then you will know that I am Yahweh;
63that you may remember, and be confounded, and never open your mouth any more because of your shame, when I have forgiven you all that you have done,” says the Lord Yahweh.’ ”