6 August 2002

Text: Ezekiel 23

The Parable of Two Sisters

1. The Use of a Parable

a) A teaching device

b) For greater impact

c) Construction of a Parable concerning Israel
Ezekiel 23:1-4
Israel depicted as a foolish and sinful nation

2. The Elder Sister Oholah (Israel)

a) Harlotry involving Egypt
"She has never given up her harlotry brought from Egypt"
Ezekiel 23:8
(Ref. to Idolatry)

b) Harlotry involving Assyria
"She lusted for her lovers, the neighbouring Assyrians…"
Ezekiel 23:5

c) Fate of Israel decided by her actions
"Therefore I have delivered her into the hands of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians for whom she lusted…"
Ezekiel 23:9

3. The Younger Sister Oholibah (Judah)

a) She did not learn from her sister's mistake

b) She became worse than her sister
"Now although her sister Oholibah saw this, she became more corrupt in her inordinate love than she, and in her harlotry more corrupt than her sister's harlotry"
Ezekiel 23:11

i) "She lusted for the neighbouring Assyrians"
Ezekiel 23:12

ii) "As soon as her eyes saw them, she lusted for them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea. Then the Babylonians came…
Ezekiel 23:16-17

iii) "She multiplied her harlotry…"
Ezekiel 23:19

GOD'S RESPONSE TO THE IDOLTAROUS WAYS OF ISRAEL/JUDAH

1. Alienation
"Then I alienated Myself from her, as I had alienated Myself from her sister"
Ezekiel 23:18

2. War
"Behold, I will stir up your lovers against you…"
Ezekiel 23:22 (Cf Ezekiel 23:22-27 for details)
As Judah had been treacherous to God, so her lovers will be treacherous to her.

REASONS GIVEN FOR GOD'S SEVERE JUDGMENT METED OUT AGAINST ISRAEL (4 highlighted)

1. Adultery Ezekiel 23:37 (spiritual adultery- idolatry in view here)

2. Blood Ezekiel 23:37

3. Defiled God's sanctuary Ezekiel 23:38

4. Profaned Sabbath Ezekiel 23:38

(Description of Judah's waywardness- Ezekiel 23:39-49