Ezekiel 23-25

Ezekiel 23

This chapter is an allegory of two unfaithful sisters, representing Israel and Judah. A lot of sexual language describing the adultery and whoring of the women. 

Two sisters:

• Samaria (Oholah)
• Jerusalem (Oholibah)

Meaning of their names:

• Oholah אָהֳלָה (ʾoholāh)  = “her tent”
• Oholibah אָהֳלִיבָה (ʾoholīvāh) = “my tent is in her”

Jerusalem had the temple (God’s dwelling), making her guilt greater.

 Oholah (Samaria)

• She pursued alliances with Assyria.
• Trusted foreign powers instead of God.
• Assyria eventually destroyed her.

This refers to the fall of the northern kingdom in 722 BC.

Oholibah (Jerusalem)

• Jerusalem saw Samaria’s fate but became more corrupt.
• She pursued alliances with:
  • Assyria
  • Babylon
  • Egypt

These alliances are portrayed as spiritual adultery.

Judgment on Oholibah

• Babylon will turn against Jerusalem.
• Former allies become instruments of punishment.
• Public shame and destruction follow.

God lists their sins:

• Idolatry
• Bloodshed
• Child sacrifice
• Defiling the temple

“You shall know that I am the Lord GOD.”

Ezekiel 24

This chapter marks the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem. 9th year tenth month, tenth day. This exact date is also in 2 Kings 25:1, Jeremiah 25:1, Jeremeiah 52:4.  

The Boiling Pot

• A pot placed on the fire.
• Pieces of meat placed inside.

Meaning: Jerusalem is the pot and the people are the meat.

The Rusted Pot

• The pot is corroded with rust.
• The corruption cannot be cleaned.
• The city must be burned to remove impurity.

Ezekiel’s Wife Dies

God tells Ezekiel:

• His wife (“the delight of your eyes”) will die.
• He must not mourn publicly.

This becomes a sign for the people. Just as Ezekiel cannot mourn his wife, the people will be too stunned to mourn Jerusalem.

Ezekiel will remain mostly silent until news of Jerusalem’s fall arrives. After that, his prophetic message will change toward restoration.

Ezekiel 25

Now the focus shifts to judgment on surrounding nations.

Judgment on Ammon

• They rejoiced over Jerusalem’s destruction.
• God will give them over to eastern tribes.

Judgment on Moab

• They mocked Judah.
• God will destroy their cities.

Judgment on Edom

• Edom sought revenge against Judah.
• God will bring judgment through Israel.

Judgment on Philistia

• Longstanding hostility toward Israel.
• God promises severe vengeance.

Application

Here we see God’s judgment on Israel and surrounding nations. There was no repentance from them, and were promised severe vengeance. Many years, prophets, and prophecies were spent warning these nations, but when we reject God we must face the consequences.