Ezekiel 23:35

Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.

Ezekiel 23:35 (KJV)

Context

In Ezekiel 23, the prophet addresses two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, who symbolize Samaria and Jerusalem. They are portrayed as unfaithful wives who committed spiritual adultery through idolatry and political alliances with pagan nations. This verse is the climax of God’s indictment against them.

Meaning

The verse opens with the accusation, “Because thou hast forgotten me.” This forgetfulness is not passive neglect but a deliberate abandonment of the covenant relationship with God. It leads to spiritual adultery as the people turn to false gods and immoral practices.

The phrase “and cast me behind thy back,” signifies purposeful rejection and contempt. By treating God as something to be discarded, the people demonstrate complete disregard for His presence, authority, and will. The Targum interprets this as leaving God’s worship and casting His fear from before their eyes.

The conclusion, “therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms,” declares that the people must bear the full weight of their sin. The language of ‘lewdness’ and ‘whoredoms’ is metaphorical for idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. The judgment is just because it corresponds to the nature of the sin: they rejected God, so they must bear the weight of their own wickedness.

Biblical connections

The surrounding context in Ezekiel 23:36-49 shows the prophet reproving the adulteries of both sisters and declaring their judgments, reinforcing that this is a legal verdict from the Sovereign Lord.

Application

This passage serves as a timeless warning. It underscores the importance of maintaining a 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 remember God continually and avoid the path of spiritual adultery that leads to severe consequences.

Reflection

God takes covenant unfaithfulness seriously. Those who forget Him and reject His authority will face the consequences of their sin. This is a sobering reminder of the seriousness of spiritual apostasy and the certainty of divine judgment for those who persist in rebellion.