Read Ezekiel 23:1-21
What a stark contrast this message from God has over others he gave Ezekiel. This one was a parable shared with Ezekiel personally, telling the story of God’s judgment using very intimate examples. I had to read the passage a couple times just to make sure I wasn’t misunderstanding.
God speaks of his loves, personified as sisters, and their escapades. Of course, the story simply points to Samaria and Jerusalem as the siblings rivaling for being the most treacherous. Yet, God desperately cares for these sisters and even marries them.
God used this sensual example to surprise Ezekiel. However, it was a very sensible description of the events of the day. The narrative would have been understood by everyone. Most of the time, however, we have pictured the promiscuous ones to be “children” of God, not lovers of God.
However, both representations make sense. Both reveal God’s desire to have a personal and intimate relationship with us. What more than a parent/child or husband/wife bond! But sometimes in our familiarity, we can get complacent and take each other for granted.
What sorts of things do you do to keep the relationships with spouses, parents, children, even siblings nurtured? And what about your relationship with God? Does he get your “first fruits” or what’s left over?
Jesus used the bride metaphor as well to describe his church. He was talking about us. How are we preparing for the bridegroom? The brides in today’s story disappointed God. I don’t want to fall into the same traps but rather be adorned as a bride shining with the radiance of God’s presence.
Let’s pray. LORD, help me to never take you for granted. I want to build a stronger relationship with you. I pray the same desire for those who are far from you at this moment. May I be ready for you when you return for your bride. Forgive me when I let other things distract me from what you have called me to do. Help me to stay focused on you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
