The Tale of Two Lewd Sisters
Today’s Through the Bible Reading: Ezekiel 23-24; Jeremiah 21
Today’s devotion is an excerpt from Jesus, Day by Day (being released Sept. 17). Enjoy!
“I the Lord have spoken. The time hs come for me to act.” Ezekiel 24:14 NIV
The Bible tells us that all the stories and testimonies in the Old Testament were given so that we could learn who God is and find hope in all the Scriptures (Rom. 15:4).
This hope of the Scriptures has a name—Jesus—and His hope is evident in today’s reading.
Ezekiel tells the story of two symbolic sisters, illustrating how Judah followed in the sinful steps of Israel, her sister (Ezek. 23). He described them as having “played the harlot,” [Sharon: Is this a direct quote from Scripture? If so, which verse and which translation – KJV and NASB? (Ezk. 16:28)] because both were unfaithful to Yahweh, loved the world, followed other gods, and were completely lewd. God determined to rid them of their gross idolatry through conquest and exile (vv. 47–49).
Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land.… And ye shall know that I am the Lord God. (vv. 48–49)
God’s patience is one of His most encouraging attributes, but we should never mistake His patience as indifference toward sin. God is righteous and deals with all sin—Israel’s and ours. But praise the Lord, for now we look to Jesus. Ezekiel’s story reminds me of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1–11).
Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” (vv. 10–11, esv)
So, too, Jesus has intervened on our behalf. We have been forgiven! Our gross sin, like Israel’s, has been dealt with, paid for with the precious blood of Jesus. In Christ we are no longer condemned (Rom. 8:1). We are free to obey the words of Jesus: “Go…and sin no more.”
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by Sharon Kaselonis / All rights reserved ©