The reason for the Jews being scattered among all the nations, even to this day is due to punishment from God. They have been thrown “in the midst of the furnace” of God’s fiery wrath (Ezekiel 22:18). God heaps on them the full penalty of their sin. What is their sin?
- Bloodshed and idolatry (Ezekiel 22:1-6, 9, 27)
- Contempt for parents, orphans, and widows (Ezekiel 22:7, 23-25)
- Complete disregard for the Sabbath (Ezekiel 22:8, 26)
- Adultery and incest (Ezekiel 22:10-11)
- Bribe taking and extortion (Ezekiel 22:12, 29)
- Lying prophets (Ezekiel 22:28)
Samaria and Jerusalem are depicted as two sisters who have become prostitutes. These two sisters, and two cities, represented the people of those two kingdoms. The judgment of the first sister Oholah (Samaria should have been a warning to the younger sister Oholibah (Jerusalem). Unfortunately she failed to heed the warning. In fact, she was more depraved than her sister.
All of this should remind us of what the latter days will be like (2 Timothy 3:1-7).
