Judgment on Jerusalem
June 6, 2021
Commentary
God is gathering all Jerusalem’s hoped-for lovers into an invading army. They will attack from the north in huge numbers, well-organized and well-armed. They will execute God’s judgment on Oholibah for her abandonment of God’s law. She will drink the same cup of horror and desolation as her sister (vv. 22-35).Ezekiel gave four oracles, each beginning with the words, “This is what the Sovereign Lord says” (vv. 22, 28, 32, 35). The oracles all focused on Jerusalem’s judgment. Those Jerusalem despised would be the ones who would punish her.
When the Babylonians would attack Jerusalem with military officers, weapons, and well-protected soldiers the city would not escape (vv. 22-27). Also some of Jerusalem’s children would be carried away as slaves, others would be burned by fire, and her possessions (clothes and jewelry) would be stripped away. This second oracle adds that when the Babylonians were done, Jerusalem would be left naked and bare (vv. 28-31). Though ashamed, this punishment would come because of her promiscuity in seeking aid from other nations and becoming perverted by their idols. Since she had sinned like her sister, she would be punished in a similar way by the sword and exile (vv. 32-34).
This third oracle of judgment against Jerusalem differs from the others because it is a poem. The point of the poem, which might be titled “The Cup of God’s Judgment,” is that Jerusalem was to take part in Samaria’s judgment because she had taken part in Samaria’s sin (vv. 32-34).This fourth oracle presents the main reason Jerusalem was to be judged (v. 35). She had forgotten God and thrust Him behind her back. Jerusalem’s illicit affairs with other nations came after she forgot her source of protection and openly rejected God. Because of this rejection, she must bear the consequences.
Application
Jerusalem’s big problem was that she had forgotten God. Not matter what the circumstances of life may be, Lord help me to never forget all you have done for me.
Ezekiel 23:22– 35 (NET)
22 “Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look here, I am about to stir up against you the lovers with whom you were disgusted; I will bring them against you from every side: 23 the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, desirable young men, all of them governors and officials, officers and nobles, all of them riding on horses. 24 They will attack you with weapons, chariots, wagons, and with a huge army; they will array themselves against you on every side with large shields, small shields, and helmets. I will assign them the task of judgment; they will punish you according to their laws. 25 I will direct my jealous anger against you, and they will deal with you in rage. They will cut off your nose and your ears, and your survivors will die by the sword. They will seize your sons and daughters, and your survivors will be consumed by fire. 26 They will strip your clothes off you and take away your beautiful jewelry. 27 So I will put an end to your obscene conduct and your prostitution that you have practiced in the land of Egypt. You will not seek their help or remember Egypt anymore.
28 “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look here, I am about to deliver you over to those whom you hate, to those with whom you were disgusted. 29 They will treat you with hatred, take away all you have labored for, and leave you naked and bare. Your nakedness will be exposed, just as when you engaged in prostitution and obscene conduct. 30 I will do these things to you because you engaged in prostitution with the nations, polluting yourself with their idols. 31 You have followed the ways of your sister, so I will place her cup of judgment in your hand. 32 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘You will drink your sister’s deep and wide cup; you will be scorned and derided, for it holds a great deal. 33 You will be overcome by drunkenness and sorrow. The cup of your sister Samaria is a cup of horror and desolation. 34 You will drain it dry, gnaw its pieces, and tear out your breasts, for I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.’
35 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you have forgotten me and completely disregarded me, you must bear now the punishment for your obscene conduct and prostitution.”