Corruption, Betrayal, and the Fiery Judgment of a Stubborn Nation
- Be God's Glory
- Sep 7
- 10 min read
Welcome to Day 250 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel 22–24 focuses on the sins of Jerusalem and Judah, the resulting judgment, and the prophetic symbolism of God’s sovereign discipline. Chapter 22 details the city’s moral, social, and spiritual corruption, portraying its leaders, priests, and prophets as guilty of bloodshed, injustice, and idolatry. Chapter 23 uses a graphic allegory of two sisters, representing Samaria and Jerusalem, to depict Israel and Judah’s unfaithfulness to God through political alliances and idolatry. Chapter 24 communicates the certainty of judgment using the sign-act of Ezekiel’s “boiling pot,” symbolizing the coming siege and destruction of Jerusalem. Together, these chapters emphasize God’s holiness, His intolerance of sin, and the inevitability of divine judgment for unrepentant rebellion, while also pointing to His sovereign plan of redemption.
Ezekiel 22
Ezekiel 22 presents a detailed indictment of Jerusalem, describing the city as filled with bloodshed, oppression, theft, and idolatry. The prophet enumerates the sins of the princes, priests, and prophets, highlighting corruption and abuse of authority that betrayed God’s covenant. The city is metaphorically likened to “a pot full of blood,” emphasizing how sin had saturated every level of society. God declares that He will pour out His wrath upon Jerusalem, yet the judgment also serves to vindicate His holiness. The chapter emphasizes personal and corporate responsibility, showing that God holds leaders accountable for leading the people astray. The lesson is clear: unchecked sin leads to inevitable judgment, and justice must be restored in accordance with God’s righteous standards.
Ezekiel 23
Ezekiel 23 uses the allegory of two sisters, Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem), to expose the unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah. Both sisters are depicted as adulterous, pursuing foreign alliances and idolatry, betraying God’s covenant love. Their sexual immorality symbolizes political and spiritual corruption, showing that God’s people trusted worldly powers instead of Him. The chapter details the severe consequences of their betrayal, including conquest, exile, and humiliation. God’s anger is described vividly, but He also demonstrates His justice and faithfulness in executing punishment according to covenant principles. The chapter serves as a warning that unfaithfulness to God’s covenant—whether spiritual or political—leads to devastating consequences.
Ezekiel 24
Ezekiel 24 conveys God’s judgment through the symbolic act of a boiling pot, representing Jerusalem under siege and the unavoidable destruction to come. God instructs Ezekiel not to mourn publicly for his wife, using her death as a prophetic sign for the people, showing that grief and loss are inevitable consequences of sin and rebellion. The chapter emphasizes the inevitability of God’s judgment, warning that His word will come to pass despite human attempts to ignore or delay it. At the same time, God’s sovereignty and purpose are displayed, as He controls the timing and method of judgment for His glory. The lesson is that sin has real consequences, God’s plans are unthwartable, and His people must heed His warnings to turn back in repentance.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Ezekiel comes from the Hebrew name Yehezqel, which means “God strengthens” or “God is my strength.” This meaning is significant in the context of the book because Ezekiel is called by God to strengthen the faith of Israel and uphold God’s authority in the midst of the nation’s exile and rebellion.
Purpose of the Book:
The book of Ezekiel was written primarily to warn, convict, and comfort the people of Israel during their exile in Babylon (c. 593–571 BC). Its purposes include:
Warning of Judgment: To declare God’s judgment on Israel for their idolatry, rebellion, and unfaithfulness (Ezekiel 5:5–17).
Encouraging Repentance: To call the people to repentance and restore hope for the remnant who return to God (Ezekiel 18:30–32).
Revealing God’s Sovereignty and Glory: Through vivid visions, symbolic acts, and prophetic messages, the book emphasizes that God is sovereign over all nations, not just Israel (Ezekiel 1:26–28; 36:22–23).
Promising Restoration: Ezekiel concludes with promises of renewal for Israel, including the vision of the valley of dry bones and the restored temple, symbolizing spiritual revival and national restoration (Ezekiel 37:1–28; 40–48).
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The book of Ezekiel is attributed to the prophet Ezekiel, a priest and prophet among the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Evidence for his authorship includes:
Biblical References:
Ezekiel repeatedly identifies himself in the text as the recipient of God’s visions and messages (Ezekiel 1:3, 2:1, 3:4).
The Book of 2 Kings 24–25 provides historical context about the Babylonian exile, confirming the timeframe of Ezekiel’s ministry.
Extra-Biblical Support:
The Jewish historian Josephus in Antiquities of the Jews (Book 10, Chapter 10) references Ezekiel as a prophet active during the Babylonian exile, confirming the traditional attribution.
The Talmud (Babylonian Talmud, tractate Megillah 14b) also recognizes Ezekiel as the author of the prophetic book that bears his name.
Internal Evidence: The first-person accounts, vivid visions, and symbolic actions consistently present throughout the book strongly suggest a single author with intimate knowledge of priestly practices and the Babylonian exile experience.
Key People:
Ezekiel – The prophet and main figure, called by God to deliver messages of warning, judgment, and hope.
God (YHWH) – Central figure of the book, revealed in powerful visions and messages.
King Jehoiachin – King of Judah taken into Babylonian exile, mentioned in Ezekiel 1:2 and 24:1–2.
Other Israelites – The people of Israel, often depicted as rebellious and in need of correction (Ezekiel 2:3–5; 18:2–3).
Foreign Nations – Babylon, Tyre, Egypt, Ammon, Moab, and Edom, who are often referenced in prophecies of judgment (Ezekiel 25–32).
Conclusion
The book of Ezekiel concludes with a powerful message of hope, restoration, and God’s enduring presence. Despite Israel’s rebellion and judgment, God promises to gather His people, cleanse them from sin, and restore them to their land. The final chapters (Ezekiel 40–48) present a vision of a renewed temple and a reestablished covenant community, symbolizing spiritual revival and the assurance that God remains faithful to His promises. The overarching theme is that God is holy, sovereign, and faithful, and He works through judgment and restoration to fulfill His purposes for His people.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:
Ezekiel 22
In Ezekiel 22, God reveals Himself as a holy Judge who cannot tolerate corruption, injustice, and bloodshed. He demonstrates His righteousness by exposing the sins of the princes, priests, and prophets who misled the people and profited from wickedness. This chapter shows that God is concerned not only with personal sin but also with corporate responsibility and societal justice. The lesson is that God calls His people to integrity, accountability, and faithfulness, warning that persistent sin brings inevitable judgment.
No specific Hebrew names are mentioned in this chapter, but His character reflects El Shaddai (God Almighty), the One who exercises ultimate authority over nations and enforces justice. The lesson is that God sees every level of sin, and His righteous judgment ensures that injustice is neither hidden nor ignored.
Ezekiel 23
In Ezekiel 23, God shows Himself as a righteous yet patient God who is deeply grieved by the unfaithfulness of His people. He exposes Israel and Judah’s spiritual and political adultery, illustrating His intolerance of idolatry and rebellion. God demonstrates both justice and sovereignty by declaring that consequences will come for their covenant violations. The lesson is that God desires exclusive devotion, and turning to worldly powers or idols will always bring judgment and loss.
No Hebrew names are explicitly mentioned, but God’s nature reflects Jehovah Elohim (the Lord God) who governs with authority and moral uprightness. The lesson is that God calls His people to loyalty and faithfulness, warning that alliances with unfaithful or idolatrous influences ultimately lead to destruction.
Ezekiel 24
In Ezekiel 24, God reveals His sovereignty, wisdom, and control over human events. He demonstrates that His judgment is inevitable, symbolized through the boiling pot, and His prophetic signs communicate both warning and purpose. God shows that His plans cannot be thwarted and that He uses even human grief to convey His message. The lesson is that God’s sovereignty and holiness demand attention and obedience, and His warnings are always for the ultimate good of His people.
No Hebrew names are mentioned in this chapter, but His attributes reflect Jehovah Nissi (The Lord Our Banner) and El Gibbor (Mighty God), demonstrating His power to execute judgment and maintain His authority. The lesson is that God’s plans are purposeful, and His people must heed His warnings to avoid destruction and receive restoration.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How does Ezekiel 22 reveal God’s concern for justice and His intolerance of corruption?
What does God’s response to Judah and Israel’s unfaithfulness in Ezekiel 23 show about His holiness and righteousness?
In Ezekiel 23, how does God demonstrate both judgment and patience toward a rebellious people?
How does Ezekiel 24 reveal God’s sovereignty over human events and nations?
What does the symbolic “boiling pot” in Ezekiel 24 teach us about God’s control over judgment and discipline?
How do these chapters show God’s balance between justice and mercy?
How can understanding God’s character in these chapters strengthen our trust in His authority and plans?
Questions About Themes:
What is the significance of describing Jerusalem as full of bloodshed, theft, and idolatry in Ezekiel 22?
How does the allegory of two sisters in Ezekiel 23 illustrate spiritual and political unfaithfulness?
In Ezekiel 23, why is Israel’s pursuit of foreign alliances compared to adultery?
How does the theme of inevitable judgment appear across Ezekiel 22–24?
What does Ezekiel 24 teach about the consequences of ignoring God’s warnings?
How do these chapters emphasize the responsibility of leaders and prophets in guiding God’s people?
How do Ezekiel 22–24 collectively highlight the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness?
Reflective Application Questions:
In what ways do you see moral or spiritual corruption in your community, and how should God’s standard guide your response?
How can you guard your heart against idolatry or misplaced trust like Judah and Israel in Ezekiel 23?
What personal “foreign alliances” (things or influences) might be competing for your loyalty to God today?
How does the imagery of the boiling pot in Ezekiel 24 challenge you to take God’s warnings seriously?
What practical steps can you take to live with integrity in leadership or influence, following God’s standards?
How do these chapters inspire reflection on personal responsibility and accountability before God?
How can understanding God’s sovereignty and justice motivate you to pursue repentance and obedience in your daily life?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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