Jerusalem as prostitute
Day 412, Saturday, Sept. 27
Ezekiel Chapters 16 – 17
We have often seen Jerusalem used as shorthand for the whole of God’s people, and prostitution used as a symbol of their unfaithfulness, but seldom as forcefully and explicitly as we read today in chapter 16.
After first portraying Jerusalem as an unwanted and unloved infant who he rescued, adopted and loved, Ezekiel then outlines her descent into prostitution as a parallel to Israel’s descent into idolatry.
In 16:32-34 we read, “You adulterous wife! You prefer strangers to your own husband! All prostitutes receive gifts, but you give gifts to all your lovers, bribing them to come to you from everywhere for your illicit favors. So in your prostitution you are the opposite of others; no one runs after you for your favors. You are the very opposite, for you give payment and none is given to you.”
In typical fashion, Ezekiel finally prophesies that punishment will come, to be followed by reconciliation.
In 16:41-42 we read, “[A mob] will burn down your houses and inflict punishment on you in the sight of many women. I will put a stop to your prostitution, and you will no longer pay your lovers. Then my wrath against you will subside and my jealous anger will turn away from you; I will be calm and no longer be angry.”

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Saturday meditation

Job 38:39-39:12
“Do you hunt the prey for the lioness and satisfy the hunger of the lions when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in a thicket? Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?
“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn? Do you count the months till they bear? Do you know the time they give birth? They crouch down and bring forth their young; their labor pains are ended. Their young thrive and grow strong in the wilds; they leave and do not return.
“Who let the wild donkey go free? Who untied its ropes? I gave it the wasteland as its home, the salt flats as its habitat. It laughs at the commotion in the town; it does not hear a driver’s shout. It ranges the hills for its pasture and searches for any green thing.
“Will the wild ox consent to serve you? Will it stay by your manger at night? Can you hold it to the furrow with a harness? Will it till the valleys behind you? Will you rely on it for its great strength? Will you leave your heavy work to it? Can you trust it to haul in your grain and bring it to your threshing floor?

Prayer focus
Lord, make us people of faithfulness and fidelity, not like the unfaithful of Jerusalem who consorted with idols.