At the conclusion of a lengthy parable in which Ezekiel portrayed the northern and southern kingdoms as two sisters, God stripped away the imagery and revealed the true reason for His judgment through the prophet.
The Lord said to me: Mortal, will you judge Oholah (Israel) and Oholibah (Judah)? Then declare to them their abominable deeds.
For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands; with their idols they have committed adultery, and they have even offered up to them for food the children whom they had borne to me.
Moreover, this they have done to me: they have defiled my sanctuary on the same day and profaned my Sabbaths.
For when they had slaughtered their children for their idols, on the same day they came into my sanctuary to profane it. This is what they did in my house (Ezekiel 23:36-39).
There are certain truths we can rely on about God. First, He is infinitely more patient than we are. Second, when He brings judgment upon His people, He is neither arbitrary nor tyrannical.
Instead, He is a just judge, giving each person what they rightfully deserve based on their actions.
Abominable
God’s people were called to reflect His image on Earth. God is holy, and He expects His people to reflect His holiness.
Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy (Leviticus 19:2).
To say that God is holy means He is set apart from the created order. Although we are part of God’s creation, we are not meant to conform to it. Instead, we are called to stand apart from the worldly systems that dominate the earth.
Just as God cares for all people and shows no partiality, His people are called to reflect His character by doing the same.
He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing.
You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt (Deuteronomy 10:18-19).
However, instead of showcasing His nature and character, God’s people were known for abominable actions.
“Abominable” describes actions or practices that are considered utterly detestable or abhorrent in the eyes of God. Rather than reflecting God’s holiness, they are fundamentally at odds with God’s holiness and expectations.
Four Examples
Four examples highlighted the abominable deeds of God’s people, with the first being idolatry.
In Ezekiel 8, God, acting as a tour guide, led the prophet in a vision through the temple. There, Ezekiel first saw an idol of jealousy set up before the altar. Next, he observed 70 elders in their own cubicles within the temple complex, each worshiping their own idol.
He also saw women weeping for Tammuz, a pagan deity. Finally, the elders turned their backs on God to worship the sun, believing it could provide justice more effectively than the One who had delivered them from slavery in Egypt.
Chapter 23 uses the term “prostitution” to describe the behavior of the northern and southern kingdoms. This metaphor refers to their reliance on alliances with other nations for security.
What modern readers may not realize is that whenever Israel formed such an alliance, they also signed treaties requiring them to worship and serve the gods of the nation with whom the treaty was made.
It cannot be emphasized enough: instead of reflecting God’s character to the world, they adopted the practices of the world, including the worship of its gods.
The phrase “blood on their hands” may refer to the misuse of the legal system by the wealthy and powerful to oppress the poor and vulnerable.
I often write that people become like the gods they serve. The gods worshiped by the nations surrounding Israel demanded child sacrifices to appease their idols.
Under King Manasseh, Israel adopted this horrific practice. While it ended with Manasseh’s reign, some scholars believe it was never fully eradicated. Without question, this is an abomination in the eyes of God.
The Sabbath was a gift from God to humanity, dividing the week into seven days, with the seventh day set aside for rest. Before the Sabbath was instituted, the Hebrew people had no days off and worked continuously.
The Sabbath was not only a time for rest but also an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to God.
To profane the Sabbath meant disregarding it and treating it like any other day. Unfortunately, that is exactly what they did. This was yet another abominable act in the eyes of God.
Not Mere History Lessons
The abominations described in Ezekiel 23 were not isolated incidents of wrongdoing. Instead, habitual practices were deeply ingrained in the culture and daily lives of God’s people over the years.
God sent prophets and provided other means to call them back to Himself, but time and again, they refused to listen. Ultimately, His final response was to bring judgment through the conquering Babylonians and the exile.
We miss the true purpose of prophecy if we fail to take to heart what God has spoken to us through the prophets. It is wise to ask ourselves: what parallels exist between our lives today and the circumstances of 590 BC?
Once we recognize these similarities, we must respond with repentance and turn back to God with our whole hearts.
YouTube Video
I typically create videos with Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and our new friend Russ Wismer. However, due to a technical glitch with today’s video, it’s just me re-recording this one. Tomorrow, we’ll return to our usual format.
Real Voices 