Ezekiel 23:40
“And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments.”
In this verse, the prophet Ezekiel is delivering a message from God, using a parable to describe the spiritual unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah. It’s important to note that this passage employs symbolic language and metaphors to convey its message.
This particular verse is part of a larger section in which Ezekiel uses the metaphor of two adulterous sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, to represent Samaria (Israel) and Jerusalem (Judah), respectively. The verse focuses on Oholibah, symbolizing Jerusalem.
The verse begins by stating that Jerusalem (Oholibah) had sent for men to come from afar. This is likely a reference to seeking alliances with foreign nations, particularly in a political and military sense, rather than relying on God alone for protection and guidance.
The verse continues by describing how Jerusalem prepared herself for the arrival of these men. It mentions that she washed herself, painted her eyes, and adorned herself with ornaments. These actions symbolize her attempts to make herself attractive and alluring to these foreign nations in order to secure their favor and protection. This imagery suggests Jerusalem’s reliance on human alliances and idolatry rather than trusting in God.
Overall, this verse serves as a rebuke and condemnation of Jerusalem’s unfaithfulness to God. It highlights the nation’s tendency to seek help and security from other nations rather than relying on God’s covenant and guidance. The passage reminds the people of Jerusalem that true faithfulness and security come from a genuine relationship with God, rather than seeking worldly alliances and external adornments.
It’s important to approach this verse in its broader context, understanding the metaphorical nature of the language used, and taking into account the overall message of Ezekiel’s prophecies to the people of Israel and Judah.
