Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Da gikk Jeg, Herren, forbi deg, og Jeg så deg sprelle i ditt eget blod og sa: ‘Lev!’ Så lot Jeg deg vokse så du ble tallrik. Jeg sammenligner deg, Jerusalem, med en kvinne som vokste og ble stor og meget vakker. Brystene dine fikk sin form, og håret ditt vokste. Men du var naken og bar. Da Jeg igjen gikk forbi og så på deg, var tiden kommet, tiden for å elske. Så Jeg bredte vingen Min over deg og dekket nakenheten din. Jeg inngikk en bindende avtale med deg og sverget for deg. Slik ble du Min.
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, God is speaking to Jerusalem, describing it as being in a state of pollution and blood when He found it. God says, even in that condition, He gave it life. The key message is God's grace and the offer of new life.
Explained for Children
Imagine you found a sick puppy in the rain, all dirty and hurt. You could have left it there, but instead, you picked it up and brought it home to heal it. That's like God finding Jerusalem in a bad state and giving it a chance to live.
Historical Background
The Book of Ezekiel was written by the prophet Ezekiel around 593-571 BCE. This verse is part of a series of messages directed at Jerusalem, warning of God's judgment and offering hope of restoration. It reflects the cultural context of a city that had fallen into moral corruption.
Living It Out Today
Consider someone in your community who is struggling with addiction or facing severe hardships. Like God in this verse, extending grace and offering help can mean the difference between life and death. This could be through offering a safe place to stay, connecting them to resources, or simply showing kindness.