QT 14/08/2025 Thu. Ezekiel 23 Oholah and Oholibah: A Call to Spiritual Faithfulness 阿荷拉，阿荷利巴：呼召灵性忠贞
QT 14/08/2025 Thu. Ezekiel 23 Oholah and Oholibah: A Call to Spiritual Faithfulness
READ http://www.esv.org/eze23
Scripture Focus:
“The word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother. They played the whore in Egypt; they played the whore in their youth; there their breasts were pressed and their virgin bosoms handled.’” — Ezekiel 23:1–3, ESV
Devotional Thought:
Ezekiel 23 is one of the most graphic and sobering chapters in the Old Testament. It uses vivid imagery to describe Israel and Judah’s unfaithfulness to God through the symbolic names of Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem). These two sisters represent the divided kingdoms of Israel—both chosen and loved by God, but both turned to idolatry and spiritual adultery.
At first glance, the chapter can feel overwhelming in its raw intensity. It speaks openly of betrayal, lust, and judgment. But through its severity, God is doing something vital: He’s exposing the deep wounds of sin not to shame, but to heal.
(1) Sin Isn’t Just Behaviour—It’s Betrayal
The language used here is not simply about disobedience—it’s the language of broken relationship. God had entered into a covenant with His people, like a marriage. Their turning to idols wasn’t just breaking rules; it was breaking God’s heart.
Reflection: Have you ever considered how your sins grieve the heart of God, not just violate His commands?
(2) The Allure of the World Is Deceptive
Oholah and Oholibah were drawn to the nations around them—admiring their power, wealth, and even their gods. What began as admiration led to obsession, and finally to destruction.
We too are often tempted to flirt with the world’s values—power, pleasure, success—and lose sight of our first love.
Reflection: Are there places in your life where you’re spiritually compromising to “fit in” or be accepted?
(3) God’s Judgment Is Real—But So Is His Mercy
Ezekiel 23 ends with a sober reminder: God will not ignore sin forever. Judgment did fall. But here’s the hope—God didn’t abandon His people forever. Ezekiel later speaks of restoration, a new heart, and a new Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26–27).
In Christ, we see the ultimate expression of God’s mercy: instead of punishing us, He took the judgment upon Himself.
Reflection: How does the cross of Christ change the way you view your sin—and God’s mercy?
Prayer:
Father, You are holy, and You are faithful—even when we are not. Thank You for the sobering reminder in Ezekiel 23 that spiritual compromise is serious. Forgive us for the ways we’ve turned our eyes and hearts to other loves. Restore in us a pure devotion to You. Thank You for Jesus, who bore our shame and judgment, and made a way for restoration. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Takeaway for Today:
Spiritual adultery starts with small compromises. Guard your heart and renew your covenant with the God who loves you fiercely and faithfully.
QT 14/08/2025 星期四. 以西结书第 23 阿荷拉，阿荷利巴：呼召灵性忠贞
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Eze/23/
经文重点：
“耶和华的话又临到我说：2 “人子啊！有两个女人，都是同一个母亲生的。3 她们在埃及行邪淫，在幼年的时候行了邪淫，在那里她们的胸被人抚摩；在那里她们处女的乳房被人抚弄。’”——以西结书23:1–3.
灵修思考：
以西结书23是旧约中最直白且发人深省的章节之一。它通过生动的意象，以象征性的名字“阿荷拉”（撒玛利亚）和“阿荷利巴”（耶路撒冷）描述以色列和犹大对上帝的不忠。这两位姐妹代表分裂的以色列王国——它们都被上帝拣选并深爱，却都转向偶像崇拜和属灵的淫乱。
乍一看，这章因其强度令人窒息而令人感到压倒性。它直言不讳地谈论背叛、情欲和审判。但通过其严厉性，上帝正在做一件至关重要的事：祂揭露罪恶的深层伤口，不是为了羞辱，而是为了治愈。
(1) 罪不仅仅是行为——它是背叛
这里使用的语言不仅仅是关于不顺服——它是关于破碎关系的语言。上帝与祂的子民立了约，如同婚姻。他们转向偶像，不仅是违背规则，更是伤透了上帝的心。
反思：你是否曾考虑过，你的罪如何伤透上帝的心，而不仅仅是违背他的命令？
(2) 世界之魅令人迷惑
阿荷拉，阿荷利巴被周围的国家所吸引——钦佩他们的权力、财富，甚至他们的神明。这种钦佩逐渐演变成痴迷，最终导致毁灭。
我们也常被世俗的价值观——权力、享乐、成功——所诱惑，从而忽视了我们最初的热爱。
反思：你的生活中是否存在为了“融入”或被接纳而做出精神妥协的地方？
(3) 神的审判是真实的——但祂的怜悯也是真实的
以西结书23以一个严肃的提醒结束：上帝不会永远忽视罪恶。审判确实降临了。但这里有希望——上帝没有永远放弃他的子民。以西结后来谈到恢复、新的心和新的灵（以西结书36:26–27）。
在基督里，我们看到上帝怜悯的终极表达：祂没有惩罚我们，而是亲自承担了审判。
反思：基督的十字架如何改变你对罪恶——以及上帝怜悯的看法？
祷告：
天父，祢是圣洁的，祢是信实的——即使我们不配。感谢祢在以西结书23章中给予的严肃提醒，提醒我们灵性上的妥协是严重的。赦免我们因将目光和心转向其他爱而犯的罪。在我们心中恢复对祢的纯洁奉献。感谢祢赐下耶稣，祂承担了我们的羞耻和审判，为我们开辟了恢复的道路。奉耶稣的名，阿们。
今日要点：
属灵的淫乱始于微小的妥协。守护你的心，与那位以炽热和信实之爱爱你的上帝更新你的盟约。
