Doesn’t Ezekiel 16 encourage us to wear jewelry?

The context of this passage is not about whether we should or should not wear jewelry. It is a figurative picture of God redeeming His people from slavery. The people of God are compared to a bride given many gifts. It calls the attention of Israel back to the exodus, when the Lord instructed them to take from their neighbors jewels of silver and gold (Exodus 11:2, 3). These gifts were then used, not to adorn themselves, but to create the beautiful wilderness sanctuary (Exodus 25:1–8).

The message of Ezekiel 16 is that Israel “played the harlot” and removed her jewels and created idols. This happened when the nation formed alliances with foreign powers that led her away from the worship of the true God. Actually, when calling the people to prepare themselves before God, there are references to the Israelites taking off their jewelry (see Exodus 33:4–6).

When we look at Bible verses specifically addressing the adornment of Christians, the guidelines are quite simple. “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:3, 4).

“In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9, 10).

The jewelry that God wishes to place on His people is not outward adornment. The Lord values the pure jewels of modesty that draws people to look at Jesus, not at oneself.

Key Bible Texts

I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. (Ezekiel 16:11 KJV)