Ezekiel 23:40

Furthermore, you sisters sent messengers for men who came from afar; and behold, when they arrived, you bathed for them, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with jewelry.

Study Bible

Furthermore, you sisters sent messengers for men who came from afar;
This phrase highlights the proactive pursuit of foreign alliances and idolatrous relationships by the two sisters, symbolizing the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Historically, both kingdoms sought political alliances with surrounding nations, such as Egypt and Assyria, which often led to spiritual compromise and idolatry. This pursuit of foreign men can be seen as a metaphor for Israel and Judah's unfaithfulness to God, as they sought security and identity outside of their covenant relationship with Him. The sending of messengers indicates a deliberate and intentional act of seeking these alliances, reflecting the spiritual adultery condemned by the prophets.

and behold, when they arrived, you bathed for them,
The act of bathing signifies preparation and purification, but in this context, it is a preparation for sin rather than holiness. In ancient Near Eastern culture, bathing was often associated with ritual purification, but here it is twisted into a preparation for seduction and idolatry. This reflects the spiritual state of Israel and Judah, who were outwardly preparing themselves for alliances that would lead them further from God. The imagery suggests a readiness to engage in practices that were contrary to their covenant with God, highlighting their spiritual infidelity.

painted your eyes,
Eye painting, or the use of cosmetics, was a common practice in ancient cultures, often associated with seduction and allure. In the context of this passage, it symbolizes the seductive nature of Israel and Judah's idolatry and their attempts to make themselves attractive to foreign nations and their gods. This act of painting the eyes can be seen as a metaphor for the ways in which the people of God tried to conform to the practices and appearances of the pagan nations around them, rather than remaining distinct and holy as God had called them to be.

and adorned yourself with jewelry.
Adorning with jewelry further emphasizes the theme of seduction and preparation for unfaithfulness. Jewelry in the ancient world was often a symbol of wealth, status, and beauty, and in this context, it represents the lengths to which Israel and Judah went to make themselves appealing to foreign powers and gods. This adornment can also be seen as a counterfeit of the true beauty and adornment that comes from a relationship with God, as described in passages like 1 Peter 3:3-4, where inner beauty is valued over outward adornment. The use of jewelry here underscores the superficial and deceptive nature of Israel and Judah's alliances and idolatry.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Oholah and Oholibah
These are symbolic names for Samaria and Jerusalem, respectively. In Ezekiel 23, they represent the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah, depicted as sisters who engage in idolatry and unfaithfulness to God.

2. Messengers
These are representatives sent by the sisters (symbolizing Israel and Judah) to foreign nations, seeking alliances and engaging in idolatrous practices.

3. Men from Afar
These are the foreign nations and their leaders with whom Israel and Judah sought alliances, often leading to spiritual adultery and idolatry.

4. Adorning with Jewelry and Makeup
This symbolizes the preparation and allure used by Israel and Judah to attract foreign nations, representing their unfaithfulness to God.

5. Ezekiel
The prophet who delivers God's message of judgment and calls for repentance, using vivid imagery to convey the spiritual adultery of God's people.

Teaching Points

Spiritual Adultery
Just as Israel and Judah sought alliances with foreign nations, Christians today must guard against forming allegiances with worldly values that lead us away from God.

The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can include anything that takes precedence over our relationship with God.

Repentance and Restoration
God calls His people to repentance, offering restoration and forgiveness despite their unfaithfulness.

The Allure of Sin
Sin often presents itself attractively, much like the adornment described in the verse, but ultimately leads to spiritual destruction.

Faithfulness to God
Believers are called to remain faithful to God, resisting the temptation to seek fulfillment in anything other than Him.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the imagery of adornment and preparation in Ezekiel 23:40 relate to the way sin can appear attractive in our lives today?

2. In what ways can we identify and avoid forming "alliances" with worldly values that lead us away from God?

3. How does the message of repentance in Ezekiel 23 compare to the call for repentance in the New Testament, such as in James 4:4?

4. What are some modern-day "idols" that can distract us from our relationship with God, and how can we guard against them?

5. How can we apply the lessons of faithfulness and repentance from Ezekiel 23 to strengthen our walk with God in our daily lives?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Jeremiah 3
This chapter also uses the metaphor of unfaithfulness and adultery to describe Israel's idolatry, emphasizing God's call for repentance.

Hosea 2
Hosea uses the imagery of an unfaithful wife to depict Israel's idolatry and God's desire for restoration and faithfulness.

James 4:4
This New Testament passage warns against friendship with the world, equating it with spiritual adultery, similar to the message in Ezekiel 23.