Ezekiel 23 Commentary
Verse 3 dispels the notion that an innocent man is enslaved by the Egyptians. Yes, Israel prospers in Egypt but there is also complacency.
“Issachar is a rawboned donkey lying down among the sheep pens. When he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor.” Genesis 49 verses 14 and 15.
Is there something in Jacob’s blessings to his children that would point to this situation?
Israel’s prostitution can be traced way back to the nation’s years in Egypt. The result was enslavement by the host nation.
Ezekiel has skipped the many times of trouble during the reign of Israel’s judges. Ezekiel picks it up from David’s time when the nation is one ‘huge’ success story. David’s sons rundown the nation and later the Assyrians enslave large chunks of the population. Judah survives but the Babylonians show up during Ezekiel’s times.
It is not a history of enslavement but of Israel’s unfaithfulness. Enslavement is simply the physical manifestation of God’s anger against Israel’s wickedness.
Here is our pick from all of this: you are enslaved by what you decide to worship.
“Your lewdness and promiscuity have brought this on you, because you lusted after the nations and defiled yourself with their idols.” Verses 29b and 30.
The nations whose idols Israel worshipped are actually the nations that enslaved them. Sexual intimacy is used to describe deep love for idols. It also describes the ‘natural bonds’ broken by promiscuity.
Saints are probably called servants and maidservants of the LORD because that is exactly what they are. You are enslaved by what you worship. But who wouldn’t want to be a maidservant of the Most High God! His yoke is easy. “I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11 verses 29b and 30.
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 