Reading
- Eze. 23:1-23:49
- 2 Chron. 36:13a
- 2 Kings 25:1
- Jer. 52:4
Devotional
Parental Caution: Today's reading contains very graphic descriptions of two sisters who engaged in prostitution. I recommend you read Eze. 23 by yourself before deciding to read it with children.
In today's reading, GOD uses an extremely graphic illustration of two sisters who committed the sin of prostitution to help the Israelites of Ezekiel's day understand how He felt toward the nations of Israel and Judah. In GOD's example, the first sister engaged in great sins with numerous individuals who represented the pagan (idol-worshiping) nations around Israel, such as the Ammonites, Moabites, Chaldeans and Philistines. GOD was the husband to this woman, Israel, and eventually her sin became so great that He punished her by casting her off.
Her younger sister failed to learn from what happened with her older sister and she also engaged in the same evil behaviors. In fact, she did even worse. And though GOD was a husband to her, He eventually was forced to punish and cast her off as He had her older sister Israel. GOD used the very people who engaged in sin with Israel and Judah to punish them.
46 “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Bring a mob against them and give them over to terror and plunder. 47 The mob will stone them and cut them down with their swords; they will kill their sons and daughters and burn down their houses. 48 “So I will put an end to lewdness in the land, that all women may take warning and not imitate you. 49 You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD.”
(Eze. 23:46-49 NIV)
GOD is very serious about His children being fully committed to Him and not going after false gods, which are worthless.
