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Daily Devotions

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 
Day 
Day 165

"Samaria did not commit half of your sins"

Text: Ezekiel 16:51

SAMARIA AND JERUSALEM COMPARED

Samaria and Jerusalem were the two capitals of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms respectively. Both were bitter rivals. Each sought to outdo each other. The sad reality was that both were caught in deadly idolatrous sins.

“Samaria did not commit half of your sins;
but you have multiplied your abominations more than they,
and have justified your sisters by all the abominations which you have done.
You who judged your sisters, bear your own shame also,
because the sins which you committed were more abominable than theirs;
they are more righteous than you.
Yes, be disgraced also, and bear your own shame,
because you justified your sisters.”
Ezekiel 16:51-52

1. Samaria

a) Under King Jeroboam, Israel became idolatrous.

b) Many shrines and high places were set up to promote an idolatrous religious culture.

2. Jerusalem

a) It held fast to the true worship of God but not for long.

b) Some kings sought to ensure that Judah remained faithful.

c) But most of the kings were wicked and idolatrous.

d) The idolatry promoted by some, like king Manasseh, proved to be worse than the sinful ways of Israel.

3. The rebuke given to Judah.

a) Judah committed twice as many sins.

b) Their abominations were multiplied.

c) Israel seemed “justified” in comparison to the abominations of Judah.

i) Israel was of course guilty of many sins.

ii) They would be judged according to their sinful ways.

iii) But they appeared to be “better” than Judah because their sins were half of what Judah perpetrated.

4. Judah had despised Israel.

a) Israel was despised and judged by Judah for turning idolatrous.

b) But Judah was just as guilty of idolatry.

c) Judah was far worse than Israel, in the long run.

5. Judah would be judged.

a) It would have to bear shame.

b) Because their sins were more abominable.

c) Judah would be greatly disgraced.

d) Israel seemed “justified” in comparison to Judah.