Ezekiel 16:60
Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
This promise proved true through remnant theology. After exile, God did restore a remnant to the land (Ezra-Nehemiah). More fully, the new covenant prophesied here and in Jeremiah 31:31-34 was inaugurated through Christ death and resurrection, establishing eternal covenant based on divine grace not human works.
The everlasting covenant language appears throughout prophetic literature (Isaiah 55:3, 61:8, Jeremiah 32:40, Ezekiel 37:26). Unlike the Mosaic covenant which Israel could and did break, this new covenant would be unbreakable because God Himself would accomplish its conditions through the Messiah and internal heart transformation via the Spirit.
For Ezekiel exilic audience, this promise provided hope amid judgment. Their sin had not canceled God ultimate purposes. He would yet fulfill promises to Abraham and David through a new arrangement transcending the broken Mosaic covenant. This sustained faithful remnant through exile and post-exilic period.
Christian theology sees fulfillment in Christ and the church. The everlasting covenant is the new covenant in Jesus blood, extending to all who believe—Jew and Gentile—and secured eternally by Christ finished work.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God remembering covenant despite Israel unfaithfulness teach about divine grace?
- How does the everlasting covenant differ from the breakable Mosaic covenant?
- In what ways does this verse demonstrate that salvation depends on God faithfulness, not ours?
- What is the relationship between the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and New Covenants?
- How does Christ blood secure the eternal covenant that human obedience never could (Hebrews 13:20)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant. After chapters describing Israel comprehensive sin and deserved judgment, God announces grace: despite everything, He will remember His covenant. This demonstrates divine faithfulness transcending human unfaithfulness, pointing toward new covenant in Christ.
Nevertheless introduces dramatic shift. Despite all the accusations, whoredoms, abominations, and deserved judgment, God will act in grace. I will remember my covenant with thee indicates God binding covenant commitment will overcome Israel covenant breaking. Remember does not mean God had forgotten but that He will act on covenant promises despite forfeiture.
In the days of thy youth refers to the original covenant at Sinai when Israel was young nation fresh from Egypt. That covenant, violated completely by Israel, will nonetheless provide basis for God future action. I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant announces new covenant, superior and eternal, that cannot be broken because it depends on God faithfulness, not human performance.
From Reformed perspective, this is pure grace. God establishes eternal covenant not because Israel deserves it but because His character and promises are unchanging. This anticipates the new covenant in Christ blood (Luke 22:20, Hebrews 8:6-13), based on divine accomplishment not human obedience.