Ezekiel chapter 23

vs 41

What a picture. It's a picture of riches, welcoming, openness, and deceit. Using the oils and incense that are supposed to be used in worshipping God to instead attract the attentions of other nations. Criminal, really.

vs 42

Sounds like a party, with a bunch of fairly seedy sounding guys turning up and lavishing attention on the two sisters.

vs 43

But this is a punishment from God. She is not a queen or a princess any more. She's just a prostitute. All she's good for is men to get their joys from, to be used.

vs 44

The assumption is that when a man sleeps with a prostitute, he's doing it for fun and enjoyment, not for love or children. He pays, gets his jollies, and then forgets her.

vs 45

Just because they are being treated like prostitutes, these nations will not escape the punishment for their treachery. They will be used, then they will be punished for their actions. It's a double punishment - firstly they will suffer the penalty for their perversion, and then they will suffer God's just wrath.

vs 46

I think it's cities that are given over to terror and plunder. And that's what happened to Samaria, and it's what will happen to Jerusalem.

vs 47

Yes, we're very much back to reality here now. God is going to strike down the inhabitants of his holy city, and they are going to suffer for betraying him. They will suffer a just punishment.

vs 48

And all women (cities) will look at Jerusalem and see that this is not how you should act - you should fear God, because he will bring down a firestorm of angriness on you.

vs 49

Consequences and punishment. When we disobey God, we both suffer the consequences of that disobedience, which is rarely actually enjoyable, and then we suffer the punishment we're due for disobeying. It's really lose lose.