Ezekiel 23: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on Spiritual Adultery and God’s Judgment

Executive Summary ✨

Ezekiel 23 presents a harrowing allegory of Samaria (Oholah) and Jerusalem (Oholibah), sisters who represent the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel. Their story serves as a stark warning against spiritual adultery, symbolized by their idolatrous worship and alliances with foreign nations. This chapter details their progressive descent into sin, their insatiable lust for pagan practices, and the inevitable judgment brought upon them by God. Through vivid and disturbing imagery, Ezekiel reveals the consequences of turning away from the one true God. The key to understanding this passage lies in recognizing the depth of God’s love betrayed, His righteous anger at such betrayal, and the call to repentance that echoes throughout Scripture. This commentary on Ezekiel 23 will explore the historical context, the theological implications, and the practical applications of this challenging yet crucial chapter for believers today.

Ezekiel 23, a powerful indictment of Israel’s unfaithfulness, uses the shocking metaphor of prostitution to describe the nation’s idolatry and political alliances. Let us delve into the depths of this prophecy, seeking to understand its message for us today.

Commentary Sections 📖

Ezekiel 23:1-4 – Introduction of Oholah and Oholibah

Ezekiel 23:1-4 (KJV): The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother: And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity. And the names of them were Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughters. Thus were their names; Samaria is Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah.

Here, the prophet introduces Oholah (Samaria, the Northern Kingdom) and Oholibah (Jerusalem, the Southern Kingdom). Their “whoredoms in Egypt” refer to their early adoption of Egyptian idolatry, even during their formative years. The poignant phrase “they were mine” highlights the deeply personal nature of God’s relationship with Israel, a relationship shattered by their infidelity. The very names chosen are symbolic: Aholah means “her own tent,” implying independence and self-reliance apart from God, while Aholibah means “my tent is in her,” signifying God’s presence initially dwelling in Jerusalem. The tragedy is that Jerusalem, despite being the dwelling place of God, also succumbed to idolatry.

Patristic Insight: St. Cyril of Alexandria, in his commentary on the prophets, emphasizes that God’s ownership of Israel made their sin all the more grievous. He writes, “εἰκότως ἐβόα ὁ θεὸς, οἱ ἐμοὶ ἦσαν, πῶς οὖν εἰς ἄλλον ἐπεστράφησαν;” (“Rightly did God cry out, ‘They were mine, so how then did they turn to another?’”) (Cyril of Alexandria, *Commentary on Ezekiel*, PG 70, 1105). This emphasizes the profound betrayal inherent in their actions.

Spiritual Application: We too must guard against spiritual adultery, which manifests as prioritizing worldly desires and idols over our relationship with God. Let us always remember that we belong to Him and strive to remain faithful. Consider investing in a robust online presence with services like a website builder, to spread His Word.

Ezekiel 23:5-10 – Oholah’s (Samaria’s) Apostasy and Punishment

Ezekiel 23:5-10 (KJV): And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine; and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbours, Which were clothed with blue, captains and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses. Thus she committed her whoredoms with them, with all them that were the chosen men of Assyria, and with all on whom she doted: with all their idols she defiled herself. Neither left she her whoredoms brought from Egypt: for in her youth they lay with her, and they bruised her breasts, and bestowed their whoredom upon her. Therefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, upon whom she doted. They discovered her nakedness: they took her sons and her daughters, and her they slew with the sword: and she became famous among women; for they had executed judgment upon her.

Oholah’s (Samaria’s) sin intensifies as she “dotes on her lovers,” the Assyrians. This refers to the Northern Kingdom’s political alliances with Assyria, seeking protection and prosperity instead of relying on God. This alliance involved adopting Assyrian religious practices and idols, thus defiling herself. The punishment is fitting: she is delivered into the hands of those she trusted, who then devastate her. This describes the Assyrian conquest of Samaria in 722 BC, a historical event that validated Ezekiel’s prophecy. The phrase “she became famous among women” implies that her fate served as a warning to other nations.

Historical Context: The alliance with Assyria was driven by King Menahem, who paid tribute to Tiglath-Pileser III (2 Kings 15:19-20). This act, seen as a pragmatic political move, was viewed by God as an act of spiritual betrayal.

Spiritual Application: We must be wary of placing our trust in worldly powers or systems, seeking security in earthly things rather than in God. True security and prosperity come from faithfulness and obedience to Him. How often do we compromise our faith for the sake of comfort or acceptance?

Ezekiel 23:11-21 – Oholibah’s (Jerusalem’s) Even Greater Sin

Ezekiel 23:11-21 (KJV): And when her sister Oholibah saw this, she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she, and in her whoredoms which were more than her sister’s whoredoms. She doted upon the Assyrians her neighbours, captains and rulers clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men. Then I saw that she was defiled, that they took both one way, And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion, Girded with girdles upon their loins, exceeding in dyed attire upon their heads, all of them princes to look to, after the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea. And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them. So she discovered her whoredoms, and discovered her nakedness: then my mind was alienated from her, like as my mind was alienated from her sister. Yet she multiplied her whoredoms, in calling to remembrance the days of her youth, wherein she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt. For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses. Thus she remembered the lewdness of her youth, in playing the harlot in Egypt, for she doted upon their paramours.

Oholibah (Jerusalem), despite witnessing the fate of Samaria, surpasses her sister in wickedness. Her “inordinate love” extends to the Babylonians, whose images, vividly described, ignite her lust. This refers to Jerusalem’s alliance with Babylon, specifically during the reign of Zedekiah, against the counsel of Jeremiah. The graphic imagery (“flesh is as the flesh of asses”) conveys the repulsive nature of her spiritual adultery. Her actions are further condemned because she remembers and desires the idolatrous practices of her youth in Egypt, demonstrating a persistent rejection of God’s covenant.

Patristic Insight: St. Jerome, commenting on this passage, notes the danger of learning from the mistakes of others. He states, “Quod una passa est, altera contempsit, et facta est deterior.” (“What one suffered, the other despised, and became worse.”) (Jerome, *Commentary on Ezekiel*, PL 25, 215). This underscores the importance of heeding warnings and learning from the errors of others.

Spiritual Application: We must not only avoid repeating the sins of others but also be vigilant against our own inherent tendencies towards idolatry. Remembering past sins without repenting and turning away from them is a dangerous path. Let us cultivate a spirit of humility and learn from the mistakes of those who have gone before us.

Ezekiel 23:22-35 – Oholibah’s (Jerusalem’s) Judgment

Ezekiel 23:22-35 (KJV): Therefore, Oholibah, thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will raise up thy lovers against thee, from whom thy mind is alienated, and I will bring them against thee on every side; The Babylonians, and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, and Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them: all of them desirable young men, captains and rulers, great lords and renowned, all of them riding upon horses. And they shall come against thee with chariots, wagons, and wheels, and with an assembly of people; which shall set against thee buckler and shield and helmet round about: and I will set judgment before them, and they shall judge thee according to their judgments. And I will set my jealousy against thee, and they shall deal furiously with thee: they shall take away thy nose and thine ears; and thy remnant shall fall by the sword: they shall take thy sons and thy daughters; and thy residue shall be devoured by the fire. They shall also strip thee out of thy clothes, and take away thy fair jewels. Thus will I make thy lewdness to cease from thee, and thy whoredom brought from thee out of the land of Egypt: so that thou shalt not lift up thine eyes unto them, nor remember Egypt any more. For thus saith the Lord God; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms. The Lord said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations; That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them. Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths. For when they had slain their children for their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house. And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments, And sattest upon a stately bed, and a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hast set mine incense and mine oil. And a voice of careless ease was with her: and with the men of the common sort were brought Sabeans from the wilderness, which put bracelets upon their hands, and beautiful crowns upon their heads. Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries, Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them? Yet they went in unto her, as they go in unto an harlot: so went they in unto Oholah and unto Oholibah, the lewd women. And the righteous men shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands. For thus saith the Lord God; I will bring up a company upon them, and will give them to be removed and spoiled. And the company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords; they shall slay their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire. Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to do after your lewdness. And they shall recompense your lewdness upon you, and ye shall bear the sins of your idols: and ye shall know that I am the Lord God.

God, in His righteous judgment, brings Oholibah’s “lovers” (the Babylonians and their allies) against her. This foreshadows the Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The details of the punishment are brutal and serve as a visual representation of the utter humiliation and desolation that will befall Jerusalem. The taking away of “nose and ears” symbolizes the loss of honor and reputation. The final verse, “and ye shall know that I am the Lord God,” emphasizes that these judgments are meant to bring Israel back to recognizing God’s sovereignty and holiness.

Archaeological Evidence: Archaeological excavations in Jerusalem have revealed evidence of the Babylonian destruction, including burned layers and shattered pottery, confirming the historical accuracy of Ezekiel’s prophecy.

Spiritual Application: God’s judgment is a reality that we must take seriously. While He is merciful and forgiving, He will not tolerate persistent unrepentance and idolatry. Let us examine our lives and ensure that we are not harboring any idols that are competing for God’s place in our hearts. The commentary on Ezekiel 23 should leave us with a healthy fear of the Lord and a desire to live in obedience to His commandments.

Ezekiel 23:36-49 – The Abominations and Final Judgment

Ezekiel 23:36-49 (KJV): The Lord said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations; That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them. Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths. For when they had slain their children for their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house. And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments, And sattest upon a stately bed, and a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hast set mine incense and mine oil. And a voice of careless ease was with her: and with the men of the common sort were brought Sabeans from the wilderness, which put bracelets upon their hands, and beautiful crowns upon their heads. Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries, Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them? Yet they went in unto her, as they go in unto an harlot: so went they in unto Oholah and unto Oholibah, the lewd women. And the righteous men shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands. For thus saith the Lord God; I will bring up a company upon them, and will give them to be removed and spoiled. And the company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords; they shall slay their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire. Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to do after your lewdness. And they shall recompense your lewdness upon you, and ye shall bear the sins of your idols: and ye shall know that I am the Lord God.

This section reiterates and intensifies the charges against Oholah and Oholibah. The abhorrent practice of child sacrifice is explicitly mentioned, highlighting the extreme depravity of their idolatry. Their profaning of the sanctuary immediately after sacrificing their children further underscores their contempt for God. The lavish preparations for their “lovers” using God’s own provisions (incense and oil) adds insult to injury. God’s ultimate goal is to put an end to such wickedness and to teach others the consequences of spiritual adultery.

Deuterocanonical Connection: The Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 14:23-27) describes the origins and consequences of idolatry in similar terms, emphasizing the corruption and violence that accompany it.

Spiritual Application: We must recognize the insidious nature of sin, which can gradually lead us to commit acts that were once unthinkable. We must also be mindful of the consequences of our actions, not only for ourselves but also for those around us. Let us strive to create a culture of holiness in our homes and communities, resisting the temptation to compromise our faith for worldly gain.

Subtopic Sections ✨

The core message of Ezekiel 23 revolves around the concept of spiritual adultery and its devastating consequences. Here are some key reflections and teachings drawn from this chapter:

• The Pain of Betrayal: Ezekiel 23 reveals the profound pain that God experiences when His people turn away from Him. Their actions are not merely disobedience but a deep betrayal of a sacred covenant.
• The Progressive Nature of Sin: Both Oholah and Oholibah gradually descend into greater depths of wickedness. This illustrates the progressive nature of sin, which can lead us further and further away from God if left unchecked.
• The Consequences of Idolatry: Idolatry, in all its forms, has devastating consequences, both for individuals and for nations. It leads to moral decay, social disintegration, and ultimately, God’s judgment.
• The Importance of Learning from History: Oholibah’s failure to learn from Oholah’s mistakes underscores the importance of learning from history and heeding the warnings of the past.
• God’s Justice and Mercy: While Ezekiel 23 focuses on God’s judgment, it also reveals His desire for repentance and restoration. His ultimate goal is to bring His people back to Himself.
• The Call to Repentance: This chapter serves as a powerful call to repentance for all who have strayed from God’s path. It reminds us of the importance of remaining faithful to Him in all areas of our lives.

FAQ ❓

Here are some frequently asked questions about Ezekiel 23 and its relevance for today:

• ❓ Why does Ezekiel use such graphic imagery to describe Israel’s sin?

  The graphic imagery is intended to shock and awaken the people to the gravity of their sin. It underscores the repulsive nature of spiritual adultery and the devastating consequences of turning away from God. It served as a wake-up call to repentance and a warning against continuing in their wickedness.

• ❓ Is Ezekiel 23 only relevant to ancient Israel, or does it have meaning for us today?

  While the chapter specifically addresses the sins of Samaria and Jerusalem, its message is timeless and applicable to all believers. Spiritual adultery, in the form of idolatry and unfaithfulness, is a constant temptation that we must guard against. The principles of repentance, faithfulness, and obedience are relevant to every generation.

• ❓ How can we avoid committing spiritual adultery in our own lives?

  We can avoid spiritual adultery by prioritizing our relationship with God above all else, by resisting the temptation to seek security in worldly things, and by guarding against the idols that compete for God’s place in our hearts. Regular prayer, scripture study, and fellowship with other believers are essential for maintaining our spiritual health and remaining faithful to God. Seek services from a qualified social media management agency to grow your faith-based community.

• ❓ What is the Coptic Orthodox perspective on the Old Testament’s depiction of God’s wrath?

  The Coptic Orthodox Church understands God’s wrath as a manifestation of His love and justice. It is not arbitrary anger, but a righteous response to sin that is intended to lead to repentance and restoration. While emphasizing God’s love and mercy, the Church also acknowledges the reality of His judgment and the importance of living in obedience to His commandments.

Conclusion ✨

Ezekiel 23 is a challenging chapter that confronts us with the harsh realities of sin and judgment. Through the allegory of Oholah and Oholibah, we are reminded of the devastating consequences of spiritual adultery and the importance of remaining faithful to God. The key takeaway from this commentary on Ezekiel 23 is that true faithfulness requires a constant vigilance against idolatry and a wholehearted commitment to God’s will. By examining our own hearts and lives, we can identify and root out any idols that are competing for God’s place, allowing us to experience the fullness of His love and blessings. May we learn from the mistakes of Israel and strive to live lives that are pleasing in His sight, always remembering that He is a God of both justice and mercy.

Tags

Ezekiel 23, Oholah, Oholibah, Samaria, Jerusalem, Spiritual Adultery, Idolatry, Judgment, Repentance, Coptic Orthodox

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Explore a Coptic Orthodox commentary on Ezekiel 23, uncovering the spiritual meaning of Oholah and Oholibah’s unfaithfulness. Understand God’s judgment and the call to repentance.