You
have also committed sexual immorality with the Egyptians, your neighbors, great of flesh; and have multiplied your prostitution, to provoke me to anger.
Ezekiel 16:26
Ezekiel 16 [25.] You have built your lofty place at the head of every way, and have made your beauty an abomination, and have opened your feet to everyone who passed by, and multiplied your prostitution. You have also committed sexual immorality with the Egyptians, your neighbors, great of flesh; and have multiplied your prostitution, to provoke me to anger. See therefore, I have stretched out my hand over you, and have diminished your portion, and delivered you to the will of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who are ashamed of your lewd way. You have played the prostitute also with the Assyrians, because you were insatiable; yes, you have played the prostitute with them, and yet you weren’t satisfied. You have moreover multiplied your prostitution to the land of merchants, to Chaldea; and yet you weren’t satisfied with this.
Meaning:
Here, Jerusalem's sin is likened to sexual immorality, symbolizing her spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. Jerusalem, representing the people of Israel, is portrayed as engaging in illicit relationships with foreign nations, particularly the Egyptians.
The phrase "your neighbors with great flesh" suggests that the Egyptians were particularly enticing to Jerusalem due to their power, wealth, and allure. Instead of remaining faithful to God and His covenant, Jerusalem sought after worldly alliances and security, forsaking her devotion to the one true God.
Moreover, Jerusalem's sin is described as multiplying her prostitution, indicating the extent of her spiritual adultery and corruption. This imagery emphasizes the widespread nature of Jerusalem's idolatry and unfaithfulness, as she pursued false gods and engaged in unholy alliances with foreign nations.
Ezekiel's portrayal of Jerusalem's spiritual adultery serves as a poignant indictment of Israel's unfaithfulness and rebellion against God. It highlights the dangers of pursuing worldly pleasures and alliances at the expense of our relationship with God, which can lead to spiritual destruction and judgment.
However, amidst the depiction of Jerusalem's sin, there is also a message of hope and redemption. Despite Jerusalem's faithlessness, God remains faithful to His covenant promises. As Ezekiel's prophecy unfolds, we see God's desire to restore and renew His relationship with His people, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to all who turn to Him in repentance.
In Ezekiel 16:60-63, we see God's promise to remember His covenant with Jerusalem and to establish an everlasting covenant with her:
"Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish to you an everlasting covenant. Then you will remember your ways, and be ashamed when you receive your sisters, your elder sisters and your younger; and I will give them to you for daughters, but not by your covenant. I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall know that I am Yahweh; that you may remember, and be confounded, and never open your mouth any more, because of your shame, when I have forgiven you all that you have done, says the Lord Yahweh".
This passage demonstrates God's grace and mercy, even in the face of Jerusalem's sin. It reminds us of God's faithfulness to His promises and His willingness to forgive and restore those who repent and turn to Him.
In conclusion, Ezekiel 16:26 serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness and the enduring faithfulness of God. It calls us to examine our own hearts and lives, ensuring that we remain faithful to God and His covenant. And it encourages us to turn to God in repentance, knowing that He stands ready to forgive and restore all who come to Him in faith.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible