Ezekiel 23:1-21

“When she carried on her whoring so openly and flaunted her nakedness, I turned in disgust from her, as I had turned in disgust from her sister.” (Ezekiel 23:18, ESV)

In this explicit chapter, Ezekiel tells the story of two promiscuous sisters. They were both married to the LORD, but they were unfaithful. The elder represents Samaria, and the younger Jerusalem. They each committed adultery with the surrounding nations and their gods. They worshiped idols rather than worshiping the LORD. Therefore, God turned away from them in disgust. He gave Samaria over to the Assyrians and Jerusalem over to the Babylonians, their lovers after whom they lusted.

This chapter is difficult to read because it is so graphic and vulgar. It exposes the vile wickedness of the people whom Yahweh chose for Himself, delivered from Egypt, and married at Mount Sinai. It calls us to examine ourselves to make sure that we love the Lord and not the world. We see this principle echoed in the epistle of James.

“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4, NKJV)

God places a high value on fidelity. He is jealous for us, and He will not share us with any other lover. Is there any passion that has stolen our affection from the One to whom it belongs?