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The dangers of an independent, self motivated spirit are given adequate attention in Ezekielís prophetic utterances. Those who are persistent in going their ìown wayî by denying the Word of the Lord will pay the consequences and be recompensed according to, ìtheir own way.î Eze. 22:31 Paul likewise spoke along these lines when he stated what is a very evident fact of nature, that whatsoever a man sows that will he also reap. Gal. 6:7 The consequences of natural life speak volumes to us if we but have ears to hear, both to the natural and the spiritual nature of man. As certain as the rising of the sun, what we sow is exactly what we reap. Sow to the carnal nature and the crop which is reaped is corruption and eternal separation form the Lord. Be wise and sow to the Spirit and gather in a great and eternal harvest of the goodness and mercy of the Lord. Gal. 6:8 It is an indelible law of sowing and reaping which rules on earth and is applied to every facet of our lives.
They WERE mine. Eze. 23:4 A glimpse into the emotions of one who had loved with the strength and purity which only may be found in the Lord. We cannot help but feel the emphases made in the past tense, a situation which had been but does not now exist. The introduction is made of two women, the daughters of one mother. Their lives were spent in spiritual compromise, which in this case and in the eyes of the Lord was paramount to living the life of the worst kind of a harlot. Their violation was of a spiritual nature. The history of their sin started in Egypt. Eze. 23:1-3 In their exodus from Egypt not much is said about the religious mixture which was prevalent among them. However from Ezekielís words we know that the Lord was greatly displeased with the situation. Nevertheless, He rescued them from their plight. Joshua, in rehearsing their history and presenting the will of the Lord to them, urged them to destroy and cease to worship the gods of Egypt. Josh 24:14.
In Egypt, they were still one people but the Lord looking down the corridor of time saw the division which would ultimately come to pass when the ten tribes would leave Judah and form a northern kingdom of Samaria. In their actions and sin there was no difference between them, both were considered by the Lord to be harlots. Sisters, identical in every sense of the word. How extraordinary and amazing is the love of the Lord. Knowing their sin while they were in Egypt and knowing their reactions to Him in the future, He still delivered them from Egypt and brought them unto Himself. He was, and always is, ready to forgive and forget as only He can. What a golden opportunity was given them to have the kingdom of God on earth, but they foolishly persisted in their sinful ways and lost out.