Who Was Oholah in the Bible?
Woman Living at the Time of Exile and Return
Oholah and Oholibah are symbolic names given to two women in the book of Ezekiel, representing the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel, respectively. These names are used as allegories to describe the unfaithfulness of Israel to God and their idolatry.
The Allegory of Oholah
Oholah, whose name means “her tent,” represents the northern kingdom of Israel, also known as Samaria. In Ezekiel 23:4, Oholah is described as the older sister living at the time of the Exile and Return. This symbolizes the idolatrous practices and spiritual adultery of the northern kingdom, which led to their downfall and eventual exile by the Assyrians.
Ezekiel 23:4 (ESV)
“Their names were Oholah the elder and Oholibah her sister. They became mine, and they bore sons and daughters. As for their names, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.”
The Allegory of Oholibah
Oholibah, whose name means “my tent is in her,” represents the southern kingdom of Judah, with Jerusalem as its capital. Oholibah is portrayed as the sister of Oholah, emphasizing their shared guilt and unfaithfulness to God. Despite seeing the consequences of Oholah’s actions, Oholibah followed in her sister’s footsteps, committing similar sins and facing similar judgments.
The Unfaithfulness of Oholah and Oholibah
The story of Oholah and Oholibah in Ezekiel 23 serves as a powerful warning against idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness. It highlights the consequences of turning away from God and seeking fulfillment in false gods and worldly pleasures. The graphic imagery used by Ezekiel underscores the severity of their sins and the resulting divine judgment.
Ezekiel 23:5-10 (ESV)
“Oholah played the whore while she was mine, and she lusted after her lovers the Assyrians… Therefore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers, into the hands of the Assyrians, after whom she lusted. These uncovered her nakedness; they seized her sons and daughters; and as for her, they killed her with the sword. And she became a byword among women, when judgment had been executed on her.”
Lessons for the Modern Christian
The Dangers of Idolatry
Oholah’s story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of idolatry. Modern Christians are called to examine their lives for anything that might take the place of God. Idolatry today can take many forms, including the pursuit of wealth, power, pleasure, or even relationships that lead us away from God.
1 John 5:21 (ESV)
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
The Call to Faithfulness
The narrative of Oholah and Oholibah calls believers to remain faithful to God, rejecting the allure of the world and its false promises. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a close relationship with God through prayer, reading the Scriptures, and fellowship with other believers.
James 4:4 (ESV)
“You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
Repentance and Restoration
Oholah and Oholibah’s story also serves as a call to repentance. Despite their unfaithfulness, God’s desire for repentance and restoration remains. Modern Christians are encouraged to turn back to God, seeking His forgiveness and renewing their commitment to follow Him.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Connection to a Loving God
God’s Righteous Judgment
The judgment of Oholah and Oholibah highlights God’s righteousness and justice. God does not overlook sin, but His judgments are always just and righteous. Understanding this aspect of God’s character helps believers comprehend the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance.
Psalm 11:7 (ESV)
“For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.”
God’s Desire for a Faithful Relationship
Despite their unfaithfulness, the narrative shows that God desires a faithful relationship with His people. His warnings and judgments are meant to bring them back to Him. This underscores God’s love and patience, constantly calling His people to return to Him.
Hosea 6:1 (ESV)
“Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.”
Connection to Jesus Christ
Jesus as the Fulfillment of Faithfulness
Jesus Christ embodies the perfect faithfulness that Oholah and Oholibah failed to demonstrate. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus provides the way for believers to be reconciled to God. He is the ultimate example of steadfast love and obedience to the Father.
Hebrews 3:6 (ESV)
“But Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.”
The New Covenant
Through Jesus, believers enter into a new covenant relationship with God. Unlike the old covenant that Oholah and Oholibah broke, the new covenant is established on better promises, ensuring that those who trust in Christ are empowered to live faithfully through the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 8:6 (ESV)
“But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.”
Conclusion
Oholah, representing the northern kingdom of Israel, serves as a powerful symbol of unfaithfulness and the consequences of idolatry. Her story, along with that of her sister Oholibah, underscores the importance of remaining faithful to God and avoiding the pitfalls of idolatry and sin. For modern Christians, these narratives are a call to repentance, faithfulness, and a deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ. By understanding the lessons from Oholah and Oholibah, believers are reminded of God’s righteous judgment, His desire for a faithful relationship, and the fulfillment of faithfulness in Jesus Christ.