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Marriage Vows
Ezekiel 16:8 “I promised to love you, and I exchanged marriage vows with you. You became mine, declare Adonay YHWH”. Another translation says, “Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine“
See a previous post on Jeremiah 2 and 3 where we explain the spiritual meaning of Marriage and Betrayal (click here for more). In a later chapter, Ezekiel 23, Jeremiah continues explaining about this marriage and betrayal with Samaria and Jerusalem, which is about both physical and spiritual corruption.
In Hebrew a marriage contract is called a Ketubah, and is generally a document that outlines the husband’s responsibilities to his wife, including providing food, clothing, and affection. It serves as a legal and moral commitment within the marriage. The Torah is likened to a Ketubah, the marriage contract, to symbolize the covenant between YHWH and the Israel. And just like in a wedding, where the groom and bride agrees, Israel said “I do” in Exodus 24:3, “And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words which YHWH has said we will do.”” YHWH then said, it is for Israel back then, but also for anyone who comes after and want to join in.
Cedar Tree
Ezekiel 17:23 “On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they will dwell.”
The Hebrew word for Cedar is Erez H730 – ‘erez. The Cedar is used mainly for two purposes in Scripture, purification and building. Cedars are evergreen conifer that belongs to the pine family (Pinaceae) and is known for its tall stature, with some species reaching heights of over 100 feet. Often Scripture will refer to the “Cedars of Lebanon“. Click here for a previous post about the glory of Lebanon, as Lebanon means “whiteness”, referring to the snow on the mountains and trees (click here for more on Lebanon, post from Isaiah 60).
