Daily Devotions
Ezekiel
"Like mother, like daughter"
Text: Ezekiel 16:44
PROVERBIAL SAYINGS
Proverbial sayings arise from observations in life. There were many proverbial sayings that arose from observing the life of Israel as a nation.
“Indeed everyone who quotes proverbs will use this proverb against you:
‘Like mother, like daughter!’
You are your mother’s daughter, loathing husband and children;
and you are the sister of your sisters,
who loathed their husbands and children;
your mother was a Hittite and your father an Amorite.”
Ezekiel 16:44-45
1. The quoting of proverbs.
a) This was a common practice.
b) Sometimes, people made up proverbs.
c) Some of these proverbs became commonplace sayings.
2. “Like mother, like daughter”
a) This was a proverbial saying.
b) The complementary one was “Like father, like son”.
3. A rebuke to Israel.
a) A word of rebuke was uttered.
b) Many insulted Israel by asking about her parentage.
c) The usual response:
ii) Her mother was a Hittite.
iii) Her father was an Amorite.
4. The correct answer should have traced the heritage of Israel to Abraham who was regarded as a prince by the Amorites.
5. The behaviour of Israel was contrary to the noble heritage of the nation.
a) Israel was likened to a Hittite woman.
b) Typical behaviour of the Hittite women:
i) They loathed their husbands and children.
ii) She and her sister (Israel) were alike in their behaviour.
c) This was an insulting proverbial saying that was commonly hurled at Israel.