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"You are the opposite"

Text: Ezekiel 16:34

A RESOUNDING REBUKE

Israel was given a severe word of rebuke by the Lord. These words were real and true to life. The Lord was not making a mountain out of a molehill!

“You erected your shrine at the head of every road,
and built your high place in every street.
Yet you were not like a harlot, because you scorned payment.
You are an adulterous wife, who takes strangers instead of her husband.
Men make payment to all harlots, but you made your payments to all your lovers,
and hired them to come to you from all around for your harlotry.
You are the opposite of other women in your harlotry,
because no one solicited you to be a harlot.
In that you gave payment but no payment was given you,
therefore you are the opposite.”
Ezekiel 16:31-34

1. The proliferation of idolatry.

a) At the head of every road, Israel erected a shrine.

b) In every street, “high places” (shrines) may be found.

2. The typical harlot.

a) A harlot is paid for her services.

b) The harlot survives on the payments given by clients.

3. Israel was an atypical harlot.

a) She does not want any payment.

b) She pays her lovers instead!

c) She has forsaken her husband, the LORD.

d) She embraces total strangers.

e) Israel was the opposite of harlots in her immoral behaviour.

f) Thus, idolatry abounded in the land of Israel.