Ezekiel 23

11–21 Next God turns to Oholibah (Jerusalem): she saw what had happened to her sister in the north, but she did not learn from it. Indeed, she was more depraved than her sister (verse 11). She initially lusted after the Assyrians (verse 12), but then she turned her attention to the Chaldeans—the Babylonians⁵² (verse 14). Later she turned away from them in disgust (verse 17); this happened when Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon (2 Kings 24:20).

22–35 In these verses, the Lord describes the punishment He will inflict upon Jerusalem because of her prostitution. “You will drink your sister’s cup,” He says (verse 32)–the “cup” of God’s wrath, the “cup” of sorrow, ruin and desolation (verse 33).

36–49 These verses summarize God’s judgment on both Samaria and Jerusalem; here He charges them with committing adultery and shedding blood (verse 37). Therefore, they will receive the punishment of women who commit adultery and shed blood (verse 45)—that is, death⁵³ (Leviticus 20:10; 24:17).

God’s purpose in punishing Samaria and Jerusalem was threefold: first, He intended to cleanse Israel of wickedness; second, He intended to warn all women (all nations) not to imitate the “two sisters” (verse 48); and third, He wanted all Israel to know that He was the Sovereign LORD (verse 49).