Daily Devotions
Ezekiel
"Because you have forgotten Me"
Text: Ezekiel 23:35
DRINKING THE BITTER CUP OF SUFFERING
Judah had not understood that this judgment from God would be carried out. The Lord had to explain and emphasise that what He had declared would be fulfilled!
“‘You shall drink and drain it,
You shall break its shards,
And tear at your own breasts;
For I have spoken,’
Says the Lord God.
Therefore thus says the Lord God:
‘Because you have forgotten Me
and cast Me behind your back,
Therefore you shall bear the penalty
Of your lewdness and your harlotry.'”
Ezekiel 23:34-35
1. The cup from the Lord.
a) Judah would have to drain the cup given.
b) The cup would then be broken into shards.
c) Judah would feel great sorrow and regret.
d) This was going to be fulfilled because of God’s decree.
2. Two reasons highlighted:
a) Judah had forgotten God.
i) This was done deliberately.
ii) This was nothing less than rejecting God outrightly.
iii) Judah had nothing to plead before God.
b) Casting God behind one’s back.
i) This was rude and atrocious.
ii) This was inexcusable.
iii) This was uncalled for.
iv) There is no justification for this kind of behaviour.
v) Israel had chosen lewdness and harlotry.
3. The penalty
a) Judah would have to bear the consequences.
b) The nation would have to drink the cup of suffering.
c) This was a penalty that Judah had brought on itself.