Ezekiel chapter 23

vs 31

I think it's interesting that he links the two sisters back together, as if Jerusalem followed in Israel's footsteps. In fact, Jerusalem would have seen itself as so different from Samaria, because they were David's city, they had the temple, they remained under the kingly line. But they weren't different at all. Their heritage may have staved off their punishment a mite longer, but that's all.

vs 32

Am I the only person who reads this verse and things of 2 girls 1 cup? I haven't even seen it, but just the name of the phenomenon pops up here.

Cups are quite a common picture for God's wrath. No idea why. As good a picture as any, I guess. This is a pretty big and deep cup, so you can see God is not happy.

vs 33

So just as Jerusalem has made the same mistakes, so will they suffer the same punishment. And that's quite a hefty punishment. But Jerusalem can't say that God didn't make it clear it was coming - he did it to Samaria, now it will happen to them.

vs 34

Eating the cup of wrath shows just how completely they will suffer the punishment. It's a deep cup, but they drink it all, drain it, and then there is still so much of God's wrath left they need to eat the cup.

vs 35

Notice this verse, it is very carefully worded. It is not because of their lewdness and prostitution that they will suffer - if it were, they would have suffered long before this. No, it is because they have ignored God, put him behind their backs, that they suffer. God can forgive even the most heinous of rebellions and sins, but you have to accept him at it. Ignoring him is a good way to get judged for all your other sins.

vs 36

Now, obviously Ezekiel won't be confronting Samaria - they're already gone. So this confrontation is perhaps in the form of written condemnation - oh, look, chapter 23 fits that pretty well.

vs 37

The sacrifice of children to idols gets mentioned a fair bit. I think this is seen as one of the most heinous wrongs that they could have committed. Obviously it is detestable now, but even back then it was certainly frowned upon. It's incredible what you can do when you forget your morals though.

vs 38

God is taking it all personally. He gave them the temple, at their request (David's really). He gave them Sabbaths on which to rest and remember him. They've abused them, using his temple to worship other gods, and ignoring his Sabbaths, or perhaps whoring up on them.

vs 39

Had they come looking for forgiveness, had it been a wake up call to them, it would have been okay. But you can't sacrifice your child on Friday then come to temple on Saturday, as if they are two separate parts of your life.

vs 40

Back to the lewdness metaphor.