What is the meaning of Ezekiel 23:25? I will set My jealous rage against you “ And I will set My jealous rage against you …” (Ezekiel 23:25a) • The picture is of a betrayed husband taking action against an unfaithful wife. God’s “jealous rage” is His righteous, covenant-keeping passion (Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24). • Israel and Judah had chased idols (Ezekiel 23:30), provoking the Lord to defend the exclusivity of His relationship with them (Nahum 1:2). • His jealousy is not petty envy; it is holy love that insists on fidelity and therefore brings discipline (Hebrews 12:6). They will deal with you in fury “ … and they will deal with you in fury.” (Ezekiel 23:25b) • “They” refers to the Babylonian armies, God’s chosen instrument of judgment (Jeremiah 25:9; Isaiah 10:5). • Their “fury” mirrors God’s wrath working through human agents (Ezekiel 30:24; 16:38). • This underscores that the Lord’s sovereignty extends even over conquering nations (Proverbs 21:1). They will cut off your noses and ears “ They will cut off your noses and ears …” (Ezekiel 23:25c) • Mutilation was a common ancient Near-Eastern punishment meant to disgrace adulterers and rebels publicly (cf. 1 Samuel 11:2; 2 Kings 25:7). • For the faithless city, the loss of nose and ears symbolized the loss of discernment and beauty—fitting for those who ignored God’s word and chased foreign gods (Isaiah 48:8). • Taken literally, it forecasts the brutal treatment many residents of Jerusalem would suffer under Babylon. Your survivors will fall by the sword “ … and your survivors will fall by the sword.” (Ezekiel 23:25d) • The sword was promised in the covenant curses for persistent rebellion (Leviticus 26:33; Deuteronomy 28:22). • Ezekiel had already warned that one-third would die by sword (Ezekiel 5:12). • The phrase reminds us that sin’s wages are death (Romans 6:23), historically and spiritually. They will seize your sons and daughters “ They will seize your sons and daughters …” (Ezekiel 23:25e) • Deportation of the next generation fulfilled earlier warnings (Deuteronomy 28:32; 2 Kings 24:14). • Children carried off underscore the far-reaching consequences of parental unfaithfulness (Lamentations 1:5). • Yet even in exile the Lord preserved a remnant for future restoration (Jeremiah 29:11; Daniel 1:3-6). Your remnant will be consumed by fire “ … and your remnant will be consumed by fire.” (Ezekiel 23:25f) • Babylon burned Jerusalem and the temple (2 Kings 25:9; Jeremiah 52:13). • Fire pictures both total devastation and divine purification (Ezekiel 15:6-8; 1 Peter 1:7). • The “remnant” here is the residue of the city, not the faithful remnant God ultimately preserves (Amos 1:7). summary Ezekiel 23:25 layers six grim images to show how God’s jealous love answers persistent adultery with righteous judgment. Through Babylon He unleashes fury, public shame, sword, captivity, and fire—each element literally fulfilled in Jerusalem’s fall. Yet even this severe discipline serves a redemptive purpose: to vindicate His holiness, call His people back, and prepare the way for future restoration promised elsewhere in Ezekiel. |
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