Ezekiel 23:35
Therefore thus sayth the Lord God, Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behinde thy backe, therfore beare thou also thy lewdnesse, and thy whoredomes. Ezekiel 23:35 (KJV)
The book of Ezekiel contains prophecies and messages from God to the people of Israel during their exile in Babylon. In this chapter the prophet addresses two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, who symbolize Samaria (the northern kingdom of Israel) and Jerusalem (the southern kingdom of Judah). These sisters are portrayed as unfaithful and idolatrous, having forsaken their covenant with God.
The verse opens with the striking declaration, “Because thou hast forgotten me.” God accuses the people, through the metaphor of the sisters, of forgetting Him. This forgetfulness implies a deliberate abandonment of the relationship with God and a disregard for His commands and statutes. The forgetting leads to spiritual adultery and idolatry as the people turn to false gods and immoral practices.
The next phrase, “and cast me behind thy back,” signifies a purposeful act of rejection and disrespect. By casting God behind their backs, the people demonstrate a complete disregard for His presence, authority, and will. They turn away from divine guidance and pursue their own sinful ways.
The conclusion, “therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms,” declares that the people must bear the full weight of their lewdness and whoredoms as a consequence of their unfaithfulness. God will allow them to experience the results of their sinful choices and the accompanying judgment.
While the immediate audience was the nation of Israel, the passage serves as a timeless warning for believers today. It underscores the importance of maintaining a vibrant, faithful relationship with God and not relegating Him to a secondary position. When we neglect God and turn to worldly pursuits, we risk falling into idolatry and moral compromise. The verse calls us to be mindful of our spiritual priorities, to remember God continually, and to avoid the path of spiritual adultery that leads to severe consequences.
