Good Morning “Brides”. Today we are in Ezekiel 23.
Once again the language of this chapter is graphic. The description of Samaria and Jerusalem as prostitutes is arresting. Let’s not miss the point. Gods description of their sin through Ezekiel, is exactly how He sees them. They / we, are in a betrothed marriage type relationship with Him. He chose Israel as His wife (Jeremiah 3:14). We the collective church are betrothed - The Bride of Christ. One day our marriage will be made complete. (Revelation 19:7-9).
Between this chapter and chapter 16 we see a deeper depravity than even prostitution. Prostitutes get paid… Jerusalem actually presented her blessings and adornments from God, the gold and silver from the Temple, even her own children - to her idols. In a sense she not only didn’t get paid… she paid them. The actions and response of the prostitutes are precisely ours when we choose to be abused by the World and give ourselves over to its “idols” allowing them to deceive, control and exploit us.
In essence, we tell God, “We would rather be abused by the world, our flesh, and the devil than loved by You.”
As this was a wake-up call to the two portions of ancient Israel — Jerusalem / Judah & Samaria / Israel — so it is a terrible warning and ‘wake-up call’ to the Church (II Timothy 3:16-17; I Corinthians 10:1-13) . . . Yes this passage is interpreted as speaking of ancient Judah & Israel . . . the application, however; is to all — perhaps especially to modern western culture and its pornography & flesh slavery / trade / industry, abortion — and the Church which seems to have jumped into the worlds cesspool! The natural follow-up to its devastation amongst the “men” is its rising practice amongst the “women!”
When will we return from our “lovers” to the Lord? What will fuel true hope and real change? It can only come when we repent and return to real personal relationship with God through a saving relationship with Jesus (Luke 13:3, Mark 1:15). Intimacy and thus change - only comes by spending quality time with Him in His Word (Isaiah 55:11, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 12:2, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Psalm 119:9-11, Joshua 1:8 I could continue).
Are we past the point of hoping for Spiritual Revival here in the US? There can be no revival without a hardcore return to God’s Word. It must saturate the soul of each individual believer so that we begin living faithfully toward God, as a husband/wife relationship was created to be. Revival begins with the one in the mirror.
Love you all! Dig in!
Once again the language of this chapter is graphic. The description of Samaria and Jerusalem as prostitutes is arresting. Let’s not miss the point. Gods description of their sin through Ezekiel, is exactly how He sees them. They / we, are in a betrothed marriage type relationship with Him. He chose Israel as His wife (Jeremiah 3:14). We the collective church are betrothed - The Bride of Christ. One day our marriage will be made complete. (Revelation 19:7-9).
Between this chapter and chapter 16 we see a deeper depravity than even prostitution. Prostitutes get paid… Jerusalem actually presented her blessings and adornments from God, the gold and silver from the Temple, even her own children - to her idols. In a sense she not only didn’t get paid… she paid them. The actions and response of the prostitutes are precisely ours when we choose to be abused by the World and give ourselves over to its “idols” allowing them to deceive, control and exploit us.
In essence, we tell God, “We would rather be abused by the world, our flesh, and the devil than loved by You.”
As this was a wake-up call to the two portions of ancient Israel — Jerusalem / Judah & Samaria / Israel — so it is a terrible warning and ‘wake-up call’ to the Church (II Timothy 3:16-17; I Corinthians 10:1-13) . . . Yes this passage is interpreted as speaking of ancient Judah & Israel . . . the application, however; is to all — perhaps especially to modern western culture and its pornography & flesh slavery / trade / industry, abortion — and the Church which seems to have jumped into the worlds cesspool! The natural follow-up to its devastation amongst the “men” is its rising practice amongst the “women!”
When will we return from our “lovers” to the Lord? What will fuel true hope and real change? It can only come when we repent and return to real personal relationship with God through a saving relationship with Jesus (Luke 13:3, Mark 1:15). Intimacy and thus change - only comes by spending quality time with Him in His Word (Isaiah 55:11, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 12:2, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Psalm 119:9-11, Joshua 1:8 I could continue).
Are we past the point of hoping for Spiritual Revival here in the US? There can be no revival without a hardcore return to God’s Word. It must saturate the soul of each individual believer so that we begin living faithfully toward God, as a husband/wife relationship was created to be. Revival begins with the one in the mirror.
Love you all! Dig in!
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