Links for today’s readings:

Read: Ezekiel 16 Listen: (10:36)

Read: Philippians 3 Listen: (3:21)

Scripture Focus: Ezekiel 16:15, 47

15 “‘But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his.

47 You not only followed their ways and copied their detestable practices, but in all your ways you soon became more depraved than they.

Reflection: Atypical Prostitute

By Erin Newton

Ezekiel 16 should come with a content warning. The graphic description of Jerusalem (both men and women) is described in a vulgar display of childbirth, shameless prostitution, and sexual violence. It is one of the most difficult passages to read, especially for sensitive readers who know the reality of such trauma or sympathize with those who do.

The language is jarring and upsetting. The image of the violence against the woman is not an action that is condoned, but the shock value of the image is likely the key to understanding why Ezekiel would talk about God’s people this way.

God’s people were once orphaned and rooted in a family tree of idolaters. It wasn’t Jerusalem’s excellent heritage that bonded her with God. It was God’s own love that chose her, in her loneliness, in her unworthiness, in her rejection by her own family.

She was clothed in honor and dignity. Her fame spread among the nations on account of her beauty—beauty given by God. All that was good of God’s people was because it reflected God himself. They were like radiant faces of those who had seen the Lord on the mountain.

But she was swayed in her devotion. Political alliances were made, spoken of here as sexual relationships with any passersby. She was not even a typical prostitute; she gave all that she had. She received nothing.

From history we know of these alliances with foreign nations. In most cases, they were attempts to find security in foreign power. They were made against the advice of prophets and always ended in disaster.

This harsh image is meant to awaken slumbering souls that had long forgotten the sound of God’s voice and only looked for new lovers. They traded their dignity for false security in someone else’s arms.

Have we grown in spiritual maturity so as not to act in this way? I’m not sure we are so different.

Like the metaphorical woman, Jerusalem, we were left to die, unloved and unwanted, before God clothed us with his love. But many times, we are quick to pledge our devotion to someone other than him, and these lovers only take and take with nothing to give in return. Let us not be swayed by anyone claiming to save us apart from God alone. He has promised to stand with us forever. May we commit our hearts only to him.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Cry of the Church

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read More:

Lasting Revivals and Normal Idols

The idols of a culture don’t always dress up in flamboyant costumes. They often hide in normality and ubiquity.

The Sins Behind Sexual Sins

When we are willing to kiss any ring, shake any hand, or endorse any person…we are prostituting ourselves in lust whether or not there is sex involved.