Idolatry and Adultery (Ezekiel 22:23-23:27)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+22%3A23-23%3A27&version=NIV
I return my attention to Ezekiel today just in time for one of most the graphic and explicit metaphors in Scripture. The Lord’s revelation to Ezekiel depicts the two kingdoms (Israel and Judah) as two prostitute sisters lusting after Assyrians and Babylonians.
Sexual unfaithfulness and promiscuity is a common metaphor in Scripture for idolatry. Why is this? Because the relationship of God to His people is depicted as a marriage. In fact you could make the point that God’s relationship came first, and marriage itself is intended to be a picture of God’s relationship with His bride, His people, His church (Ephesians 5:25-33). If our relationship with God is a marriage, then engaging in any kind of idolatry is adultery. This is the point the Lord was making by using this explicit picture of the prostitute sisters chasing after their lovers.
But what is also interesting in this passage is how the lovers turned on the sisters, and became enemies seeking their destruction. We often point out that idolatry is foolish because no idol will ever deliver on its implied promises. This passage takes it a step further. Idolatry is harmful. Not only will the idols not deliver on what they promise, they will also lead to our destruction. This is true not just of worshiping Assyrian or Chaldean gods, but also, as is extremely prevalent in our culture, worshiping wealth, success, power, beauty, youth, pleasure, knowledge, etc. It is not that these things are bad in themselves, but when they supplant the place of God as the first of our loves, they become idols that will ultimately turn on us.
So I am praying for faithfulness. I am praying that the Lord lead me away from all idols, both in the world and in my heart, so that I may follow Him this day and every day faithfully.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
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