“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. Oholah was the name of the elder and Oholibah the name of her sister. They became mine, and they bore sons and daughters. As for their names, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.” (Ezekiel 23:1-4)

Here, the Lord uses literary imagery to explain to Ezekiel how far his children had strayed from him. The Lord used very graphic and earthy language to make his point in literary form. Ultimately, he says very plainly what Samaria and Judah were guilty of: “For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. With their idols they have committed adultery, and they have even offered up to them for food the children whom they had borne to me. Moreover, this they have done to me: they have defiled my sanctuary on the same day and profaned my Sabbaths. For when they had slaughtered their children in sacrifice to their idols, on the same day they came into my sanctuary to profane it. And behold, this is what they did in my house.” (23‬:‭37‬-‭39‬)

At times, it feels like we are turning over the same ground again and again. I get it already! But do I? Why would God tell us the same story in different ways from different angles? 1) Because we may have different learning preferences/styles. 2) Because I don’t actually get it? Get what? How horrible rebellion against God really is. I say I do. But am I in complete unity with God on the matter of how sinful sin is?

Father, please help me to see how horrible sin is. Amen.