Jerusalem and America Parallels: Bible Verses and Comments
Here are the verses and comments that Pastor Sheldon Emry said in his sermon. He has long since departed this world, but this blog hopes to preserve his memory by making transcripts of his sermons available for the first time.
“Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations. And say, Thus saith the Lord God unto Jerusalem; Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan; thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother an Hittite.” (Ezek. 16:2–3) This was used to frame the whole message: God exposes origins and sin, raising the parallel to America’s beginnings.
“And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee: thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all. None eye pitied thee… but thou wast cast out in the open field… in the day that thou wast born.” (Ezek. 16:4–5) Applied to show the nation began helpless and unwanted, yet survived without human pity.
“And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.” (Ezek. 16:6) Asserted that God Himself preserved the nation at birth.
“I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great… thy breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown, whereas thou wast naked and bare.” (Ezek. 16:7) Claimed that rapid growth and prosperity were God’s doing.
“Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee… yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee… and thou becamest mine.” (Ezek. 16:8) Interpreted as God entering covenant and owning the nation.
“Then washed I thee with water; yea, I thoroughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil. I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers’ skin… I decked thee also with ornaments… and a beautiful crown upon thine head.” (Ezek. 16:9–12) Presented as God’s lavish blessing and adornment—wealth, honor, and beauty bestowed.
“I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me… I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.” (Isa. 45:5–7) Cited to insist God—not men—raised up the nation and governs all outcomes.
“Remember the former things of old: for I am God… declaring the end from the beginning… calling a ravenous bird from the east… yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass.” (Isa. 46:9–11) Used to underline that God executes His counsel in history, including raising and directing nations.
“When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land… Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God… lest when… thy silver and thy gold is multiplied… then thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth…” (Deut. 8:10–13, 17–18) Warned that forgetting God and crediting ourselves for wealth brings judgment.
“Thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.” (Ezek. 16:13b) Applied to the rise from colonies to a distinguished, prosperous nation.
“And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord God.” (Ezek. 16:14) Claimed America’s fame stemmed from God’s beauty placed upon her, not human systems.
“But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.” (Ezek. 16:15) Charged that pride led to spiritual adultery and compromise with the nations.
“And of thy garments thou didst take, and deckedst thy high places with divers colours, and playedst the harlot thereupon… Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver… and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them.” (Ezek. 16:16–17) Condemned glorifying men and institutions with God’s gifts.
“My meat also which I gave thee, fine flour, and oil, and honey… thou hast even set it before them for a sweet savour.” (Ezek. 16:19) Accused of diverting God’s provision to exalt men and worldly causes.
“Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured… thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them.” (Ezek. 16:20–21) Interpreted as sending sons to die for idolized powers and interests.
“And in all thine abominations and thy whoredoms thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth…” (Ezek. 16:22) Rebuked for forgetting the humble beginnings and God’s early mercies.
“That thou hast also built unto thee an eminent place, and hast made thee an high place in every street.” (Ezek. 16:23–24) Applied to building impressive religious structures while drifting into idolatry.
“Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms.” (Ezek. 16:25) Said to describe open spiritual promiscuity with every passing trend.
“Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh… Behold, therefore I have… diminished thine ordinary food, and delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, the daughters of the Philistines…” (Ezek. 16:26–27) Taken to explain scarcity and subjection to hostile rulers as divine chastening.
“Ye only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” (Amos 3:2) Used to argue that privileged Israel (applied to the nation) is held to stricter judgment.
“Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable… Thou hast moreover multiplied thy fornication in the land of Canaan unto Chaldea; and yet thou wast not satisfied herewith.” (Ezek. 16:28–29) Claimed relentless chasing of foreign alliances and Baal-like doctrines still left the nation unsatisfied.
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matt. 15:8–9) Applied to religious show that substitutes human traditions for God’s truth.
“But if ye will not hearken unto me… I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague… and ye shall sow your seed in vain; for your enemies shall eat it.” (Lev. 26:14–16) Presented as God’s law explaining national afflictions and loss of harvests to enemies.
“And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth.” (Lev. 26:17) Cited to claim hostile rulers and fear arise as covenant penalties.
“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel… I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts… and they shall be to me a people.” (Heb. 8:10) Affirmed the New Covenant promise of God’s law internalized.
“And they shall not teach every man his neighbour… saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.” (Heb. 8:11) Argued this is not yet fully realized—hence judgment can still come for disobedience.
“Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” (Jon. 3:4) Used as the model of blunt warning preaching that led to repentance.
“Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant… And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord… when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God.” (Ezek. 16:60–63) Held out as the closing promise of eventual restoration—but only after shame, remembrance, and God’s pacification.