There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals have been like these of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses. Ezekiel 23:20
This is likely one of the most graphic makes use of of language within the Bible and plenty of are shocked to search out this verse in God’s phrase. Whereas vulgar, the which means of Ezekiel 23:20 nonetheless has some highly effective truths for us at this time.
This passage may make you slightly uncomfortable. Nonetheless, I feel by diving into the context and the which means you will notice how this may apply to your life at this time.
The Context Of Ezekiel 23:20
After we pull one verse out of a chapter it may be simple to attract the fallacious conclusions from it as a result of we don’t have the context. Context helps us perceive what’s occurring and the way the verse applies to our lives. So earlier than we will take a look at what Ezekiel 23:20 means we have to first take a look at the context.
Ezekiel, the writer, was a prophet who would talk messages from God to the Israelites. He lived throughout a time known as the Babylonian exile across the sixth Century BC. The nation of Israel was captive and Ezekiel’s messages from God have been directed in the direction of them.
In Ezekiel 23 we see a parable known as “The Two Adulterous Sisters.” This story of Oholah and Oholibah makes use of the metaphor of marriage to painting the connection between God and his individuals. However Israel isn’t devoted; she is portrayed as a prostitute who does despicable acts.
This distasteful theme and lewd language on this chapter is hanging. Ezekiel is utilizing this imagery to indicate the Israelites precisely how disputable their acts are to God.
Israel is pursuing political adultery. They’re breaking the wedding relationship with God. They going in opposition to God’s directions and putting their belief in different nations by way of alliances. They care extra about pursuing security and nationwide safety than they do about honoring their covenant with God.
Dr Tom Constable describes the chapter this manner, “Regardless of the distasteful theme and the indelicate language, the reader of those verses should recognize that that is the language of unspeakable disgust and should attempt to acknowledge Ezekiel’s ardour for God’s honour and his fury on the adulterous conduct of His covenant individuals. The sensation of nausea which a chapter like this arouses have to be blamed not on the author of the chapter nor even on its contents, however on the conduct which needed to be described in such revolting phrases.”
What’s unbelievable about that is regardless that his individuals are untrue, God will stay devoted. He’ll restore Israel and honor his covenant.
What Ezekiel 23:20 Implys
Now that we all know the context we will begin wanting on the Ezekiel 23:20 which means. I’m going to interrupt this verse into two sections to assist us higher see what it’s speaking for us at this time.
There She Lusted After Her Lovers
Keep in mind the context, “she” refers back to the nation of Israel. And Israel is breaking the wedding relationship with God by pursuing different nations.
Her “lovers” listed here are primarily Egyptians, but in addition Babylon and Assyria. Israel was searching for assist from the Egyptians fairly than God. However this wasn’t merely searching for political alliances, Israel was additionally taking over their customs and worshiping their gods. That is an affair.
The Lord had develop into disgusted along with her habits. But, she nonetheless persevered in her immoral methods. Israel didn’t care that she was within the fallacious, she was singularly targeted on her needs.
Ezekiel describes these needs as lust. Each displaying the robust pull and the fallacious placement of those needs. God’s individuals are extra taken with lovers than the one they entered covenant relationship with.
Ezekiel then paints a really vivid and surprising image.
Whose Genitals Have been Like These Of Donkeys And Whose Emission Was Like That Of Horses
You don’t have to a number of clarification right here to see the disgust on this depiction. Israel’s actions with the Egyptians have been detestable to God.
Donkeys and horses have been recognized for his or her robust sexual drive, and right here Ezekiel is utilizing these animals to indicate how Israel is drawn to her lovers.
Discover the emphasis and element on this verse, “Whose genitals have been like these of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.” That’s fairly the image! And the purpose right here is on the eagerness of the individuals to pursue this idolatry. They’re blinded by their lust and their needs.
Israel cares nothing concerning the God who’s cared and offered for them. They don’t care concerning the dedication they’ve made; they solely care about their needs within the second. And God is sort of a jealous husband who’s watching his spouse lust after another person.
This verse is surprising and it’s purported to elicit a robust response. Ezekiel 23:20 is displaying us how detestable our sin might be to God.
3 Classes From Ezekiel 23:20
My guess is you’ve by no means tried to use a verse like this to your life. In spite of everything, it’s a surprising verse that we don’t wish to image ourselves in. However there are many classes we will be taught and apply to our on a regular basis lives.
I need to finish by taking a look at three classes from the which means of Ezekiel 23:20.
1. The Consequence Of Sin Is Severe
We downplay the seriousness of sin. We predict it’s just a bit mistake, not an enormous deal. However it’s. Our sin separates us from God; it retains us from the life that he’s meant for us. Sin guarantees life, however it brings loss of life.
And we will see that, proper? Simply go searching you. The results of sin are in all places. Households are falling a component, wars are raging, individuals are hurting others, and there’s brokenness in all places.
The truth is we’ve lusted after issues God advised us to not and that’s introduced loss of life and destruction. The Ezekiel 23:20 which means reveals us simply how detestable our sin might be.
For extra about what sin is try: What Is Sin? (why it’s extra than simply lacking the mark)
2. Our Relationship With God Isn’t To Be Taken Frivolously
All through the New Testomony we see the continuation of the metaphor of marriage to explain our relationship with God. Marriage is a dedication during which you promise to stay loyal to the opposite particular person. This reveals the burden of our relationship with God.
For followers of Jesus we must always not take this relationship flippantly. After we resolve to observe Jesus we’re making a dedication to him.
When a partner is untrue, that breaks the dedication made and causes ache and harm. So it’s for Christians; our sin, our unfaithfulness, severs the connection.
However fortunately even once we can’t dwell as much as our dedication God lives as much as his. He makes a means for us to be restored and the connection to be redeemed.
3. God Is Good Even When We Are Not
If you happen to have been to learn the remainder of Ezekiel you will notice God forgive his individuals. Although they did some detestable issues, God nonetheless honors his covenant, his dedication, to them. God is nice even once we aren’t.
And this isn’t a one-time factor. If you happen to have been to learn by way of the Bible you’ll see time and time once more God’s individuals stroll away from God and every time he takes them again.
That is seen absolutely in Jesus. He died for us whereas we have been nonetheless sinners. He paid the worth for our sins. He made a means for our relationship with him to be restored. Regardless that we deserved loss of life he gave us life.
God is nice, even when we aren’t.
BA in Biblical Research – Ozark Christian Faculty (2012)
MA in Theology – Regent College (2019)
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