How does Ezekiel 22:11 reflect the moral decline of Israel's society? Verse in Focus “ ‘One commits abomination with his neighbor’s wife, another defiles his daughter-in-law with lewdness, and another violates his sister, his father’s daughter.’ ” (Ezekiel 22:11) What Ezekiel Observes • Adultery: “his neighbor’s wife” • Incestuous in-law relations: “his daughter-in-law” • Direct sibling incest: “his sister, his father’s daughter” Why These Sins Matter • Direct violations of God’s law (Leviticus 18:9, 15, 20). • Each act destroys a different layer of the family—marriage, extended family, immediate bloodline. • Such sins were grounds for expulsion and death under the covenant (Leviticus 20:10–12). • Sexual boundaries were meant to mirror Israel’s covenant purity with the LORD (Hosea 2:14–20). What the Decline Reveals • Contempt for God’s Word: ignoring clear commands shows willful rebellion (Deuteronomy 27:22–23). • Breakdown of societal trust: when the family is violated, every other relationship destabilizes. • Calloused hearts: these acts are listed matter-of-factly, indicating sin had become normalized. • Rapid moral descent: the progression from adultery to incest signals escalating depravity (Romans 1:24–32). Connections to the Broader Chapter Ezekiel 22 catalogs bloodshed (v. 2–4), corruption (v. 12), and oppression of the vulnerable (v. 7). Sexual sin in v. 11 is one thread in a tapestry of nationwide decay, showing that outward violence and inward impurity rise together. Lessons for Today • God’s moral standards do not shift with culture (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). • Family remains the first line of defense against societal collapse; when its sanctity erodes, all else follows (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:3). • Tolerated sin spreads; confronting it early safeguards future generations (1 Corinthians 5:6–8). • Personal holiness contributes to communal health; righteous households become bulwarks against national decline (Joshua 24:15; 1 Peter 1:15–16). |
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