Ezekiel 23:9

Therefore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers, the Assyrians for whom she lusted.

Study Bible

Therefore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers
This phrase indicates a divine judgment where God allows the consequences of Israel's actions to unfold. The "lovers" refer to the foreign nations with whom Israel formed alliances, contrary to God's commands. This reflects the biblical principle of reaping what one sows (Galatians 6:7). The imagery of "lovers" is used metaphorically to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God, akin to adultery, a common prophetic theme (Hosea 2:5-7). The use of "delivered" suggests God's sovereign control over the nations and His role in orchestrating events as a form of discipline.

the Assyrians for whom she lusted
The Assyrians were a dominant empire during the time of Ezekiel, known for their military prowess and cultural influence. Israel's political and military alliances with Assyria were motivated by a desire for security and prosperity, reflecting a lack of trust in God's protection. This lust for Assyrian power and culture is symbolic of Israel's spiritual adultery, as they sought after foreign gods and customs (2 Kings 16:7-9). Historically, the Assyrians were known for their brutal conquests, and their eventual domination over Israel was both a literal and figurative consequence of Israel's infidelity. This serves as a warning against the dangers of compromising faith for worldly alliances.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Oholah and Oholibah
Symbolic names for Samaria and Jerusalem, representing the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel. Oholah (Samaria) is the focus in this verse.

2. Assyrians
A powerful empire known for its military might and cruelty, which God used as an instrument of judgment against Israel.

3. God's Judgment
The act of God delivering Oholah into the hands of her lovers signifies His judgment due to her unfaithfulness and idolatry.

Teaching Points

Spiritual Adultery
Just as Oholah lusted after the Assyrians, believers must guard against spiritual adultery by remaining faithful to God and avoiding idolatry.

Consequences of Sin
This passage serves as a sobering reminder that sin has consequences, and God's judgment is a reality for persistent unfaithfulness.

God's Sovereignty
Even in judgment, God is sovereign, using nations like Assyria to accomplish His purposes. Believers can trust in God's ultimate plan and justice.

Call to Repentance
The account of Oholah is a call to repentance, urging believers to turn away from sin and return to a faithful relationship with God.

Faithfulness in Relationships
The imagery of unfaithfulness in marriage can be applied to human relationships, emphasizing the importance of fidelity and trust.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the imagery of Oholah's unfaithfulness challenge us to examine our own spiritual fidelity to God?

2. In what ways can we identify modern-day "Assyrians" that tempt us away from our commitment to God?

3. How does understanding the historical context of Assyria's conquest of Samaria enhance our interpretation of Ezekiel 23:9?

4. What lessons can we learn from God's use of other nations to execute judgment, and how does this apply to our understanding of current world events?

5. How can we apply the call to repentance found in Ezekiel 23 to our personal lives and communities today?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Kings 17
This chapter details the fall of Samaria to the Assyrians, providing historical context to the prophetic imagery in Ezekiel.

Hosea 2
Hosea uses similar imagery of unfaithfulness and judgment, emphasizing God's relationship with Israel as a covenant marriage.

Jeremiah 3
Jeremiah speaks of Israel's spiritual adultery and God's call for repentance, paralleling the themes in Ezekiel 23.