Ezekiel 23:28

For thus saith the Lord God; Beholde, I will deliuer thee into the hand of them whom thou hatest; into the hand of them from whom thy mind is alienated. Ezekiel 23:28 (KJV)

The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in the Old Testament, containing the prophecies and visions given to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. In this passage, Ezekiel delivers a message from the Lord to the people of Jerusalem, personified as two sisters—Oholah and Oholibah—who symbolize Samaria (the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel) and Jerusalem (the capital of the southern kingdom of Judah), respectively. These sisters represent the unfaithfulness and idolatry of these cities.

This verse is part of a divine judgment pronounced against Jerusalem for spiritual adultery and unfaithfulness. The verse begins with the declaration of the Lord God that He will deliver Jerusalem into the hands of those whom they hate and have become alienated from. The people of Jerusalem would be handed over to their enemies as a consequence of their rebellion against God. This was fulfilled when the Babylonians, under King Nebuchadnezzar, invaded Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, and took the people into captivity.

The verse emphasizes the severe consequences of turning away from God and engaging in idolatry. By forsaking the Lord, who had been their protector, the people faced the full wrath of their enemies. The phrase ‘from whom thy mind is alienated’ reflects the spiritual separation from God caused by their actions, as they pursued idolatry and distanced themselves from their Creator. The phrase “that are of the land of the strangers that turn from the north” highlights the spiritual separation and estrangement of the people from God.

This passage serves as a warning to the people of Jerusalem and to readers today, reminding us of the importance of remaining faithful to God. It underscores the seriousness of spiritual unfaithfulness and the need to guard our hearts against idolatry and anything that takes precedence over our devotion to God. Ezekiel 23:28 calls us to pursue a sincere and devoted relationship with God, staying steadfast in obedience to His commands.