Making Them an Example

Ezekiel 23; Psalm 109; Proverbs 27:18-20

Some people are role models. Some are not. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t be examples.

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Bring a mob against them and give them over to terror and plunder. The mob will stone them and cut them down with their swords; they will kill their sons and daughters and burn down their houses.

So I will put an end to lewdness in the land, that all women may take warning and not imitate you. – Ezekiel 23:46-48

These verses were speaking of Samaria and Jerusalem (Ezek. 23:4), two cities whose people should have been faithful to God. But they were unfaithful. God describes them just like unfaithful wives—adulteresses. And their punishment is the same as what Israelite adulteresses experienced (not that adulteresses’ children would usually be killed—in this case, since the adulteresses are cities, the “sons and daughters” are involved in the spiritual adultery of the cities). Why?

“That all women (i.e., other cities, nations, etc.) may take warning and not imitate you.”

God doesn’t like to be cheated on. Let’s take our relationship with Him seriously.

Father, thank You for allowing us to have a relationship with You. Forgive us for ever wanting out of the relationship, for ever wanting to have experiences outside of our relationship with You. We need You to be involved in every aspect of our lives. Take away that part of our hearts that yearns to be free from You. Such freedom leads to sin. Such freedom leads to unfaithfulness. Such freedom leads to death. We need You. Teach us to love You. May we learn from the examples of Samaria and Jerusalem.