Overview

Ezekiel 23 delivers one of the most vivid and shocking messages in the book of Ezekiel, using the imagery of two sisters to describe the spiritual adultery of Israel and Judah. God gives Ezekiel a parable about two women, Oholah and Oholibah, who represent the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Both sisters belong to God, yet both repeatedly commit spiritual adultery by turning to idolatry and forming sinful alliances with pagan nations.

Oholah (Israel) first pursued political and religious ties with Assyria, longing for the strength and wealth of the foreign empire. Instead of trusting God, she relied on human power and worshiped the false gods of Assyria. For these sins, God gave her into the hands of the very nation she pursued – Assyria became the instrument of her judgment.

Oholibah (Judah) saw what happened to her sister, but instead of learning from Israel’s downfall, she became even more corrupt. She chased after both Assyria and Babylon, desiring their military strength, wealth, and culture. Her spiritual unfaithfulness led her into deeper and more degrading sin. As a result, God declared that Judah would suffer the same fate as Israel – judgment and exile at the hands of her so-called lovers.

This chapter highlights the theological truth that God’s covenant with His people requires faithfulness. Idolatry is not just a religious mistake – it is spiritual adultery, a betrayal of the covenant relationship. The language of prostitution and adultery emphasizes the personal and relational nature of sin. This is not just about breaking rules; it is about breaking God’s heart.

The authority and inerrancy of Scripture are reinforced because this message flows directly from God to Ezekiel and aligns perfectly with the covenant warnings given in the Law, especially in Deuteronomy. Every part of the judgment that falls on Israel and Judah is consistent with the covenant curses outlined long before these events took place. This chapter also serves as a warning to future generations that turning away from God to seek security, pleasure, or power in anything else will always lead to judgment.

At the same time, the chapter highlights God’s ongoing commitment to His holiness and His name. Though God brings severe judgment, it is not because He is unfaithful – it is because His people have broken faith. His justice is an expression of His covenant faithfulness. Ezekiel 23 teaches that spiritual unfaithfulness always brings destruction, but it also reminds the reader that God does not abandon His ultimate plan to purify a people for Himself.

Historical and Literary Context

Ezekiel 23 was spoken during the prophet’s ministry to the exiles in Babylon, likely shortly before the final destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Ezekiel is addressing the sins that led to Judah’s downfall, especially her reliance on foreign alliances and her embrace of foreign gods. This message is directed to those still in Jerusalem, as well as to the exiles, warning that the judgment coming on Judah is fully deserved.

The historical background includes centuries of political and religious compromise. Israel (the northern kingdom) had turned to Assyria for military help during times of crisis, rather than trusting God. This reliance led to the adoption of Assyrian religious practices, including idolatry and temple prostitution. Eventually, Assyria turned against Israel and destroyed her, taking the people into exile in 722 BC.

Judah (the southern kingdom) had the benefit of seeing Israel’s fall, yet instead of learning from it, Judah followed the same path – but even more aggressively. Judah formed alliances with both Assyria and Babylon, chasing after foreign power and adopting pagan worship practices. The leaders of Judah looked to these nations for security instead of trusting the Lord. This spiritual adultery, combined with widespread injustice and idolatry, sealed Judah’s fate.

Literarily, Ezekiel 23 is a parable or allegory, a style frequently used by the prophets to make spiritual truths vivid and memorable. The shocking imagery of prostitution and adultery is meant to stir emotional and moral outrage, making the audience confront the seriousness of their sin. This prophetic imagery is rooted in earlier Old Testament passages, particularly Hosea, where Israel’s unfaithfulness is compared to marital infidelity.

The historical and literary context affirm a literal, historical understanding of the chapter. The events described – the alliances, the idolatry, and the eventual exiles – are not symbolic inventions but real history interpreted through the lens of God’s covenant. Ezekiel uses bold imagery to describe real sins that brought real judgment on God’s people.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points

The Sovereignty of God is evident as God directs the rise and fall of nations, using Assyria and Babylon both as instruments of judgment and as examples of why trusting in human power instead of God always leads to ruin. God rules over history, and His plans cannot be stopped by human schemes or alliances.

The Doctrine of Sin is displayed in the portrayal of spiritual adultery. Sin is not simply breaking laws – it is relational betrayal. When God’s people worship false gods or seek security outside of Him, they are not just making mistakes; they are violating their covenant with the God who loves them and saved them.

The Faithfulness of God stands out in the way God consistently applies the terms of His covenant. His faithfulness means both blessing for obedience and judgment for rebellion. God does not break His word – when His people turn away, He fulfills the covenant curses, just as He promised in Deuteronomy 28.

The Holiness of God is central because the entire message is about how God’s people have defiled themselves and dishonored God’s name. Their actions made God’s holy name a mockery among the nations. Because God is holy, He cannot ignore sin, especially when it comes from the people who bear His name.

The Need for a Redeemer becomes painfully clear in this chapter. Israel and Judah both failed to be faithful covenant partners. No matter how many warnings they received, they continued chasing idols and trusting in human power. This points to the need for a Savior – someone who can restore the relationship, fulfill the covenant perfectly, and rescue God’s people from their unfaithful hearts.

The Inerrancy and Authority of God’s Word is affirmed because everything Ezekiel declares aligns with the covenant warnings already given in the Law and through earlier prophets. Nothing that happens to Israel or Judah is a surprise – it is the fulfillment of God’s unchanging Word. This reinforces that God’s Word is true, reliable, and the final authority over nations and individuals alike.

Ezekiel 23 is not just an ancient history lesson – it is a warning to every generation. It teaches that spiritual compromise, misplaced trust, and unfaithfulness to God always lead to judgment. It also points forward to the ultimate solution, found only in the perfect faithfulness of Jesus Christ, who alone can redeem an unfaithful people and restore them to God.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis

Ezekiel 23:1-4

God introduces a parable about two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, representing Israel (the northern kingdom) and Judah (the southern kingdom). Both sisters belonged to God, meaning both were part of His covenant people. This reminds the reader that Israel and Judah had been chosen by God’s grace, not by their merit. Yet from the beginning, both nations were spiritually unfaithful. This imagery reflects the biblical truth that idolatry is not just religious disobedience, but spiritual adultery – breaking the covenant relationship with God. This connects directly to Hosea 1-3, where Israel’s unfaithfulness is portrayed as marital unfaithfulness. Application: God’s people today must recognize that loyalty to God is relational, not just mechanical obedience. Faithfulness means loving God with the whole heart, not just following external rules.

Ezekiel 23:5-10

The first sister, Oholah, representing Israel, pursued political and spiritual alliances with Assyria. Instead of trusting God for protection, Israel looked to Assyria’s military strength and wealth. This political dependence led to spiritual compromise, as Israel adopted the idolatry and immoral practices of the Assyrians. Because of this unfaithfulness, God handed Israel over to the very nation she trusted, and Assyria ultimately conquered Israel and took her into exile. This fulfills the warnings of Deuteronomy 28:49-52, where God promised that foreign nations would become the instruments of judgment if His people broke the covenant. Application: trusting in human power instead of God always leads to disappointment and destruction. Believers today are tempted to trust wealth, politics, or human wisdom instead of resting in God’s care, but misplaced trust always leads away from God.

Ezekiel 23:11-13

Oholibah, representing Judah, saw Israel’s downfall but did not learn from it. Instead, Judah’s idolatry and political compromises became even more extreme. This highlights the biblical teaching that spiritual hardness increases when people ignore clear warnings from God. Judah’s failure to learn from Israel’s judgment connects with 1 Corinthians 10:6-11, which says the sins and judgments of Israel were recorded as warnings for all generations. Application: when God brings correction to others, wise believers learn from it and turn back to God before they fall into the same sins. Ignoring God’s warnings hardens the heart and accelerates judgment.

Ezekiel 23:14-18

Judah did not only pursue Assyria but also Babylon, forming alliances and adopting Babylonian culture and religion. The pursuit of Babylonian power led to deeper spiritual corruption, as Judah embraced the idolatry and immorality of the Babylonians. This illustrates the principle that sin often leads to deeper sin. Turning away from God to trust human power does not stay limited to politics – it corrupts worship, morality, and culture. This fits the warning of James 1:14-15, which teaches that sin, when fully grown, gives birth to death. Application: sin always demands more than it promises, and compromise with the world gradually pulls the heart away from God.

Ezekiel 23:19-21

Judah’s unfaithfulness is described as going back to her former sinful ways, just like Israel did in Egypt before the exodus. This reveals that sin, when not repented of, pulls people back into old patterns. This fits Jesus’ warning in Matthew 12:43-45, where a person delivered from sin but left empty can become worse than before. Application: repentance must be thorough and lasting, because sin will always seek to reclaim the heart if it is not fully surrendered to God.

Ezekiel 23:22-27

God declares that Judah’s former lovers, particularly Babylon, will become her destroyers. The nation Judah trusted will turn against her, and her shame and idolatry will be fully exposed. This fulfills the covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28:36-37, where God warned that disobedient Israel would be handed over to foreign nations in humiliation. Application: sin always exposes and shames those who refuse to repent. What people trust instead of God will ultimately betray them. Believers must be careful not to place hope in anything that competes with God’s rightful place.

Ezekiel 23:28-35

God makes it clear that Judah’s destruction is not random political misfortune – it is divine judgment for spiritual unfaithfulness. God’s holy jealousy will not allow His people to commit spiritual adultery without consequence. Judah will drink the same cup of judgment that Israel drank, fulfilling the warnings of Jeremiah 25:15-18, where the cup of God’s wrath is passed to disobedient nations. Application: God’s holiness means that He cannot ignore sin, especially when committed by those who bear His name. Believers today must understand that grace does not cancel God’s call to holiness.

Ezekiel 23:36-42

God brings both sisters – Israel and Judah – into His courtroom and confronts them with their crimes. They committed idolatry, sacrificed their children, defiled the temple, and engaged in immoral worship practices. Their sins were not only personal but public, leading the whole nation into corruption. This reflects Romans 1:21-32, which shows how idolatry leads to every form of moral collapse. Application: idolatry is not just about worshiping false gods – it is anything that replaces God as first in the heart. Believers must guard against subtle forms of idolatry, like materialism, career obsession, or self-worship.

Ezekiel 23:43-49

God declares that judgment is certain and that both sisters will bear the full consequences of their actions. Their punishment will be a public warning, teaching other nations that God will not tolerate spiritual adultery from His covenant people. This connects with Galatians 6:7, which teaches that God cannot be mocked – people reap what they sow. Yet even this severe judgment has a redemptive purpose, as God’s justice and holiness will be vindicated. Application: God’s discipline, though painful, is meant to lead His people back to holiness and to show the world His righteous character. Even today, God’s correction is evidence of His love and His desire for purity in His people (Hebrews 12:5-11).

Ezekiel 23 paints a disturbing picture of spiritual unfaithfulness, but it is not just a history lesson. It is a warning to every generation that compromising faithfulness to God for the sake of power, pleasure, or cultural acceptance will always lead to judgment. It also points to the need for a faithful Mediator – one who can redeem unfaithful people and restore them to a holy God. Only Jesus Christ fulfills that role, standing in the gap to bring forgiveness and cleansing to all who trust in Him.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ

Ezekiel 23 points to Christ by exposing the full extent of human unfaithfulness and the need for a faithful Savior. Both Israel and Judah broke their covenant with God through spiritual adultery, showing that no human nation or religious system can remain faithful apart from divine intervention. This highlights the need for a perfect covenant-keeper, someone who will love God with all His heart, soul, mind, and strength – something Israel and Judah failed to do. Jesus is the true and faithful Bridegroom who does not betray His Father, who resists every temptation to compromise, and who offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice to cleanse and restore an unfaithful people. The sins of Oholah and Oholibah expose the deep corruption of the human heart, and they point to the ultimate answer in Christ, who takes upon Himself the punishment that unfaithful sinners deserve, bringing forgiveness and making a way for a new and better covenant, written not on tablets of stone but on hearts transformed by grace.

Show how the Chapter connects to the Father

Ezekiel 23 reveals the Father as the covenant-keeping God who loves His people with holy jealousy. The Father’s relationship with Israel and Judah is not a distant legal contract but a deeply personal covenant, like a marriage between a husband and wife. The Father’s holy anger against their unfaithfulness comes from His perfect love and His absolute commitment to His own holiness. His justice requires Him to confront and judge sin, because to ignore it would deny His own character. Yet even in judgment, the Father is working toward purification and ultimate restoration, because His purpose is not simply to destroy but to bring about a people who will truly love and worship Him in spirit and truth.

Show how the chapter connects to the Holy Spirit

Ezekiel 23 connects to the Holy Spirit through the way the Spirit exposes sin and convicts God’s people of their unfaithfulness. The Spirit works through the prophet Ezekiel, revealing the hidden sins of the people, calling them to repentance, and warning them of the coming judgment. This chapter also foreshadows the future work of the Spirit in the new covenant, when God promises to give His people new hearts and put His Spirit within them, enabling them to be faithful where they had previously failed. The Spirit’s work in convicting of sin, leading to repentance, and transforming hearts is the only hope for a people who have shown themselves incapable of covenant faithfulness on their own.

Connection to God’s Love

Ezekiel 23 reveals God’s love as a holy and faithful love that refuses to give up on His people even when they are deeply unfaithful. This love is not passive or permissive – it is a love that confronts, disciplines, and exposes sin in order to bring about true repentance and restoration. God’s love is not content to leave His people in their sin; His love pursues them even when they run after idols. By showing the devastating consequences of spiritual adultery, God’s love is protecting His people from eternal ruin. His love desires a pure relationship with His people, and His judgment is ultimately an expression of His commitment to that purity. The greatest expression of this love comes in Jesus, who steps into the place of the unfaithful bride, bearing her judgment so that through His sacrifice, the bride can be cleansed and restored to perfect union with her loving God.

Sermon Outline and Flow

Sermon Title: “Faithful God, Unfaithful People”

Introduction

Begin by asking the congregation to consider the pain of betrayal in relationships. Whether in a marriage, friendship, or family, betrayal breaks trust and leaves deep wounds. In Ezekiel 23, God uses the painful image of marital unfaithfulness to describe how deeply His people have betrayed Him through idolatry and spiritual compromise. This chapter is not just about ancient Israel and Judah – it is about the heart of every person who has ever been tempted to trust in something other than God. It is a warning about the dangers of divided loyalty and a reminder of God’s faithful love, which will not let His people go without calling them back to Himself.

Main Point 1: Spiritual Unfaithfulness Begins with Misplaced Trust (Verses 1-10)

• Transition: God introduces two sisters – Oholah and Oholibah – representing Israel and Judah. Both belonged to God, but both chose to trust human power instead of God’s faithful care.
• Explanation: Oholah (Israel) turned to Assyria for military protection and political security. Instead of trusting in God’s promises, she relied on foreign alliances, and that compromise led to idolatry. Trusting Assyria meant adopting their gods, their practices, and their values. What started as political compromise became spiritual betrayal, and God allowed Assyria to become the very instrument of Israel’s judgment. This illustrates the truth that when we trust something other than God for our security, that thing eventually controls and harms us.
• Application: Christians today face the same temptation – to trust money, careers, governments, or personal strength more than they trust God. When we build our security on anything other than God, we open the door to spiritual compromise and heart idolatry.
• Illustration: A man builds his retirement plan on his own financial wisdom but ignores God’s guidance for generosity and stewardship. When the markets crash, his security is shattered because it was built on something that could never guarantee his future.

Main Point 2: Spiritual Unfaithfulness Grows When Warnings Are Ignored (Verses 11-21)

• Transition: Oholibah (Judah) saw everything that happened to her sister, but instead of repenting, she went even further into unfaithfulness.
• Explanation: Judah had a front-row seat to Israel’s fall, yet she repeated the same sins. Not only did she trust Assyria, but she also ran after Babylon, forming alliances and adopting Babylon’s idolatry and immorality. Ignoring Israel’s judgment hardened Judah’s heart, and her spiritual adultery became even more shameless. This exposes a hard truth – refusing to learn from God’s discipline makes future rebellion even worse. Judah’s refusal to learn from Israel reveals that warnings from God are an act of mercy, meant to save us from greater destruction.
• Application: When God convicts you through His Word, through the downfall of others, or through personal consequences, the wise response is repentance. Ignoring God’s warnings leads to a hardened heart, and a hardened heart leads to deeper sin.
• Illustration: A parent warns a teenager about the dangers of reckless driving after seeing a friend get into an accident. If the teenager ignores the warning, they not only endanger themselves but also show they have hardened their heart to wisdom.

Main Point 3: Unfaithfulness Leads to Judgment, but God’s Goal is Purification (Verses 22-49)

• Transition: God declares that both sisters will drink the cup of judgment, but the purpose is not just destruction – it is purification.
• Explanation: God hands Judah over to her “lovers” – the very nations she trusted will now become the agents of her judgment. Judah’s unfaithfulness will be fully exposed, her sin will be judged, and her pride will be shattered. But this judgment, painful as it is, has a redemptive purpose. Like metal in a refining fire, the impurities of idolatry and self-reliance must be burned away so that what remains is a people purified for God’s glory. This judgment is severe because God’s holiness demands it, but it is also evidence of God’s faithful love – He will not leave His people in their unfaithfulness without calling them back to purity.
• Application: God still uses discipline to purify His people today. When we wander from Him, His loving correction calls us back. This process may be painful, but God’s purpose is not to destroy us – it is to make us holy, drawing us back into deep relationship with Him.
• Illustration: Gold is refined by intense heat. The fire reveals and removes impurities, leaving only pure gold. God’s discipline works the same way, burning away the sin that contaminates our hearts so that we can reflect His glory more fully.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Ezekiel 23 is a sobering chapter that confronts us with the seriousness of spiritual unfaithfulness. It reminds us that God does not take idolatry lightly, because unfaithfulness breaks the covenant bond between God and His people. But even in the midst of judgment, God’s faithful love remains. His goal is always purification and restoration.

The call today is clear. First, examine your heart. Are there places where you have trusted human power, wealth, or influence more than you trust God? Confess those areas and return to God as your only refuge. Second, take God’s warnings seriously. Learn from the sins and consequences of others – do not repeat the same mistakes, thinking you will be the exception. Third, trust God’s refining process. If you are walking through a season of discipline, do not resist His hand. Trust that His goal is not to destroy you but to purify you for deeper relationship with Him.

Finally, fix your eyes on Jesus, the faithful Bridegroom who never betrayed His Father and who gave His life to cleanse His unfaithful bride. Through Him, even the most broken sinner can be restored to a faithful relationship with God.

Illustrations and Examples

The Unstable Foundation: Trusting in wealth, politics, or personal strength is like building a house on sand. When storms come, the foundation crumbles because it was never secure. Only God is a rock that cannot be shaken.

The Ignored Warning: Ignoring God’s correction is like ignoring a check engine light. The longer you drive, the more damage you do. Judah ignored Israel’s fall and drove herself into even deeper sin.

The Refining Fire: God’s judgment is like a refining fire, burning away impurities to reveal pure gold. God’s discipline is not cruel – it is love that purifies us for holiness and deeper fellowship with Him.

The Faithful Husband: Jesus is the faithful Bridegroom who stands in contrast to Israel and Judah’s unfaithfulness. While God’s people ran after other lovers, Jesus gave Himself fully to redeem and restore His bride.

Application for Today’s Christian

Examine Your Trust: Ask God to reveal any areas where you have placed your trust in human strength, money, or influence instead of in Him. Confess those areas and renew your trust in God alone.

Heed God’s Warnings: Pay attention to God’s correction, whether through Scripture, personal conviction, or the example of others. Learn from His discipline, and do not harden your heart to His voice.

Embrace God’s Refining Work: If you are in a season of discipline or hardship, ask what God is teaching you. Trust that His goal is not punishment for its own sake but purification and restoration.

Guard Your Heart from Idolatry: Spiritual adultery does not always come in the form of statues and temples. It comes through anything that captures your heart’s loyalty more than God – success, comfort, relationships, or even good things that become ultimate things.

Fix Your Eyes on Christ: In a world filled with compromise and distraction, keep your heart loyal to Jesus. He is the only faithful Savior, the true Bridegroom, and the one who gave His life to restore you to God.

Ezekiel 23 is a hard word, but it is also a gracious word. It reminds us that God’s love is holy, jealous, and faithful. He will not abandon His people to their sin – He will pursue, refine, and restore them until their hearts are fully His. The question today is whether we will return to Him in repentance and trust, or whether we will follow the tragic path of Oholah and Oholibah. The choice is ours.

Reflection Questions

1. In Ezekiel 23, God compares Israel and Judah to unfaithful wives who pursued other lovers instead of trusting their faithful Husband. What are some ways Christians today are tempted to place their trust in things other than God? Are there specific areas in your life where you need to redirect your trust back to Him?
2. Judah saw Israel’s fall but did not learn from it. How has God used the experiences of others to warn or teach you? Are there any recent warnings from God that you have been ignoring?
3. The sisters’ unfaithfulness started with political and economic alliances, but it led to deeper spiritual corruption. How do small compromises in your life make it easier to drift further away from God? What small compromises do you need to confess and correct today?
4. God’s response to unfaithfulness is not indifference but holy jealousy. How does this challenge your understanding of God’s love? Do you tend to view God’s love as passive acceptance, or as a passionate desire for your heart’s loyalty?
5. The sisters’ idolatry and unfaithfulness affected the whole nation. How do your personal choices – in worship, finances, relationships, or morality – influence your family, your church, and even your community?
6. God gave both Israel and Judah many opportunities to repent, but they refused. What are some ways God is calling you to repent today? How can you respond with a soft and willing heart?
7. When God disciplines His people, it is for the purpose of refining and purifying them. Can you think of a time when God allowed difficulty in your life to expose sin or draw you closer to Him? How did that experience shape your faith?