God’s Judgment And Its Consequences
The prophet Ezekiel was told to prophesy to the entire nation of Israel. Because of their terrible sins against the Lord they experienced God’s judgment.
The Lord will always deal with our sin in one of two ways. We will either suffer the consequences of our sin or we can ask for and receive His forgiveness.
“And because you have forgotten me and turned your back on me, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: You must bear the consequences of all your lewdness and prostitution.” Ezekiel 23:35
You know things aren’t going well for you when God calls you a prostitute. That’s what happened as this chapter starts by talking about two sisters. These sisters were Samaria and Jerusalem.
The older girl was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. I married them, and they bore me sons and daughters. I am speaking of Samaria and Jerusalem, for Oholah is Samaria and Oholibah is Jerusalem. Ezekiel 23:4
Jerusalem drank from the same cup as her sister Samaria who had already gone into captivity. Their sins included prostituting themselves with the gods of other nations.
The picture painted in Ezekiel 23 of these two women is very crude and graphic. If it were a movie, it would not be appropriate for Christians to view. Here is a mild example.
And so I handed her over to her Assyrian lovers, whom she desired so much. They stripped her, took away her children as their slaves, and then killed her. Ezekiel 23:9-10
God’s Judgment is Like a Bad Taste in Your Mouth
Were you ever with a friend or family member who had a bottle of “something?” Bravely you took a swig of it after they offered you a drink. And it turned out to be nasty.
So you immediately spit it out! It was terrible. That was exactly what was going on with Jerusalem in this chapter. They had to drink of their cup and they could not spit it out.
“Yes, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “You will drink from your sister’s cup of terror, a cup that is large and deep. It is filled to the brim with scorn and derision. Ezekiel 23:32
The Israelites continually kept the same pattern throughout their history. They would turn against the Lord and experience the consequences of God’s judgment. Then they would turn back to Him and repent.
Fortunately, the cup of terror they had to drink from would always come to end. But that pattern could continue for the Jews until they realize who their Messiah is.
Another Holocaust?
Was the Holocaust a judgment on Israel? Whether it was or not, there is a final holocaust coming. Not just for non-believing Jews but for all non-believers.
It will be pure hell because that is where it will take place. This final holocaust will have no relief to it at all. It will involve all who reject Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Checkout out these two related post on God’s judgment.
Just like in Ezekiel’s day this final cup is filled to the brim with distress and desolation. Unlike Ezekiel’s day, it will never drain to the very bottom but continue for all eternity.
Lord, today we recommit ourselves to you. We pray that the Holy Spirit would fill our cups to running over with your mercy, grace, and love.
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