06 September

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Ezekiel 23-24

Ezekiel 23

The next prophecy dealt with the sins of Samaria and Jerusalem under the figures of two women, Oholah and Oholibah. The prophet first described their sins. Samaria was charged with unfaithfulness in her confederacy with the Assyrians in that she allowed herself to be seduced by their wealth and their strength, from her loyalty to Jehovah. He also reminded her of her former alliance with Judah. In consequence of this double sin she was handed over to the Assyrians who overcame and oppressed her.

The sin of Jerusalem was even more heinous than that of Samaria, and that notwithstanding the judgment she had seen falling on Samaria. She also made an alliance with Assyria, and subsequently more directly with Egypt, wherein she violated her Covenant with Jehovah. Against her also therefore Jehovah raised up those with whom she had been in unholy alliance, bringing them against her in full force, and allowing them to despoil and strip her.

Proceeding at the command of Jehovah, the prophet pronounced judgment on Oholah and Oholibah. In terrible language he again described the wickedness of the alliances formed between these two cities and the surrounding nations. Righteous men would judge them with the judgment of adulteresses. Under the figure of the Hebrew method of dealing with the sin of adultery, namely, stoning, the prophet described an assembly against these cities, carrying out this judgment, and destroying the people utterly. Again the purpose was declared to be to make lewdness cease out of the land in the interests of other cities here referred to under the figure of women, all this still in order to vindicate the honor of Jehovah.

Ezekiel 24

The final prophecy in this division described the coming destruction of the city. This was first done under the parable of a cauldron set on a fire, filled with water, and made to boil. The prophet applied his figure directly, declaring that Jerusalem was indeed a cauldron. It will be remembered that the conspirators seen by the prophet on an earlier occasion had declared that Jerusalem was a cauldron, and they the flesh, and by that had intended to indicate their safety. Ezekiel would seem now to turn to their own figure and use it against them, making it indicate, not safety but judgment, as he foretold the certainty of the coming destruction of Jerusalem and its people.

At this time the prophet was bereft of his wife, and commanded to give no external manifestation of grief. He obeyed the command and so unusual was his attitude in the presence of grief that the people inquired what he meant. He answered that Jehovah was about to visit them with calamity so dire that they would not be able to find relief in mourning or weeping.

The prophet was then told that the news of the fall of the city would be conveyed to him, and that in that day his mouth would be opened, and he would be able to speak with assurance the messages of Jehovah.