The Unfaithful Sisters / Ezekiel 23:1-21
📖 Scripture
1 The word of the Lord came to me:
2 “Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother.
3 They became prostitutes in Egypt, engaging in prostitution from their youth. In that land their breasts were fondled and their virgin bosoms caressed.
4 The older was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. They were mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.
5 “Oholah engaged in prostitution while she was still mine; and she lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians—warriors
6 clothed in blue, governors and commanders, all of them handsome young men, and mounted horsemen.
7 She gave herself as a prostitute to all the elite of the Assyrians and defiled herself with all the idols of everyone she lusted after.
8 She did not give up the prostitution she began in Egypt, when during her youth men slept with her, caressed her virgin bosom and poured out their lust on her.
9 “Therefore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers, the Assyrians, for whom she lusted.
10 They stripped her naked, took away her sons and daughters and killed her with the sword. She became a byword among women, and punishment was inflicted on her.
11 “Her sister Oholibah saw this, yet in her lust and prostitution she was more depraved than her sister.
12 She too lusted after the Assyrians—governors and commanders, warriors in full dress, mounted horsemen, all handsome young men.
13 I saw that she too defiled herself; both of them went the same way.
14 “But she carried her prostitution still further. She saw men portrayed on a wall, figures of Chaldeans portrayed in red,
15 with belts around their waists and flowing turbans on their heads; all of them looked like Babylonian chariot officers, natives of Chaldea.
16 As soon as she saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.
17 Then the Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and in their lust they defiled her. After she had been defiled by them, she turned away from them in disgust.
18 When she carried on her prostitution openly and exposed her naked body, I turned away from her in disgust, just as I had turned away from her sister.
19 Yet she became more and more promiscuous as she recalled the days of her youth, when she was a prostitute in Egypt.
20 There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.
21 So you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when in Egypt your bosom was caressed and your young breasts fondled.
📝 Scripture Summary
The Lord tells a parable of two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, representing Samaria and Jerusalem. Both commit prostitution with neighboring nations. Oholah lusted after the Assyrians, so the Lord delivered her into their hands. Oholibah is worse, going after the Assyrians, the Chaldeans, and the Babylonians, and longing for the days when she was a prostitute in Egypt.
💡 Memory Verse
“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” – Ezekiel 22:30
🔍 Reflection
Uprooting Idols (23:1–8)
This allegory portrays two sisters prostituting themselves, alluding to Israel and Judah making alliances with other nations. The older sister represents Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom, which adopts the culture and idolatry of Assyria. The unfaithfulness of God’s people begins in Egypt, where they were once enslaved. Even though God miraculously delivered them, they disregard their commitment and return to their idolatrous ways. The story reminds us of the importance of faithfulness to God. He has rescued us as only He can, and we should offer our worship to Him alone. Let us search our hearts and seek to root out any idols that tempt us away from God. May we remain faithful, devoting our entire attention to Him.
Consider how God miraculously delivered Israel from Egypt, and how He also delivered you. What idols encourage you to forget this salvation and tempt you away from Him?
Cautionary Tales (23:9–21)
The younger sister depicts Judah making an alliance with the Babylonians. The people of Judah should know what happens to those who are unfaithful to God because they witnessed the judgment of Israel. Yet Judah also engages in idolatry. In rather provocative language, Judah is described as being consumed with the power and wealth of the Babylonians. When we hear of political or spiritual leaders who are exposed for their misdeeds, let us treat them as cautionary tales, being fully aware that we are not immune to such temptations. Let us ask the Lord to shield us and to help us keep our eyes focused on Him. May we not indulge in envy but pursue contentment in God, knowing that His plans for our lives are perfect.
In what situation do you become most susceptible to envy? Ask for the Lord to shield your heart against temptation, and to fill you with contentment in Him.
🌟 Today’s Inspiration
“It is by recognizing ourselves as first and foremost children of God that we vanquish any twinge of envy.” – Brad Littlejohn
🙏 Prayer
Heavenly Father, when I read this allegory, I recognize that I am also vulnerable to envy and idolatry. Cleanse me from my sin and remind me that You are all I need. In Jesus’ name, amen.
✍️ Essay
Unexpected Envy
“It’s like the preacher was speaking directly to me,” I shared with my community group after a particularly convicting message. The night before, I had enjoyed dinner with my wife and friends in New York City, and then we stopped at a dessert shop where I sipped a luxurious hot chocolate. Sitting next to us were two young women who appeared to be wealthy international students. Although I do not normally struggle with envy, I noticed their fancy clothing and began to imagine how nice it would be to spend money freely and never worry about my finances.
Such thoughts were especially ridiculous because I am aware of how blessed I have been in my life. God has come through for me repeatedly, including in the area of my finances. Yet, I clearly needed to hear the sermon at church the next day regarding the three temptations of Jesus in Luke 4. The preacher spoke of how spiritually wealthy we are in Christ, and that we therefore do not have to worry about my perceived lack.
I repented in response to that message. I was reminded that if I focus on the amount of my material possessions, my contentment will fluctuate, and I will feel quite unstable. However, when I fix my eyes on the Lord, my provider and protector, I will find peace, which shields me from any form of envy.
Written by Bob Koo