Ezekiel 23:33

You will be filled with drunkenness and grief, with a cup of devastation and desolation, the cup of your sister Samaria.

Study Bible

You will be filled with drunkenness and grief
This phrase symbolizes the overwhelming judgment and consequences that will come upon the people. Drunkenness here is not literal but represents a state of confusion and loss of control, often used in prophetic literature to describe divine judgment (Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15-16). Grief accompanies this state, indicating the sorrow and suffering that result from turning away from God. The imagery of drunkenness is also a metaphor for the spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry that led to such judgment.

with a cup of devastation and desolation
The "cup" is a common biblical metaphor for God's wrath and judgment (Psalm 75:8, Revelation 14:10). Devastation and desolation describe the complete ruin and emptiness that will follow. This reflects the severe consequences of Israel's and Judah's idolatry and alliances with pagan nations. The cup signifies the inescapable nature of divine retribution, as seen in the prophetic warnings throughout the Old Testament.

the cup of your sister Samaria
Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, had already experienced God's judgment through conquest and exile by the Assyrians in 722 BC. This reference serves as a historical reminder and warning to Judah, the Southern Kingdom, that they are following the same path of unfaithfulness and will face similar consequences. The use of "sister" highlights the shared heritage and covenant relationship with God, emphasizing the betrayal and parallel fates of both kingdoms. This connection underscores the theme of accountability and the certainty of divine justice.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezekiel
A prophet of God who ministered to the exiles in Babylon. He conveyed God's messages of judgment and restoration.

2. Oholah and Oholibah
Symbolic names for Samaria and Jerusalem, representing the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel, respectively. They are depicted as sisters in Ezekiel 23, engaging in spiritual adultery.

3. Samaria
The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often associated with idolatry and unfaithfulness to God.

4. Jerusalem
The capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, also guilty of idolatry and spiritual infidelity.

5. The Cup
A metaphor for God's judgment and wrath, often used in prophetic literature to symbolize the consequences of sin and rebellion.

Teaching Points

The Consequences of Sin
Sin leads to spiritual and often physical devastation. The imagery of drunkenness and grief highlights the disorienting and destructive nature of turning away from God.

God's Righteous Judgment
God's judgment is just and inevitable for those who persist in rebellion. The cup symbolizes the certainty and severity of divine retribution.

Call to Repentance
The passage serves as a warning and a call to repentance. It urges believers to examine their lives and turn away from any form of idolatry or unfaithfulness.

The Importance of Faithfulness
Faithfulness to God is paramount. The unfaithfulness of Samaria and Jerusalem serves as a cautionary tale for believers to remain steadfast in their devotion to God.

Hope in Restoration
While the passage focuses on judgment, the broader context of Ezekiel includes promises of restoration for those who repent and return to God.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the imagery of the cup in Ezekiel 23:33 help us understand the seriousness of God's judgment?

2. In what ways can we identify modern forms of idolatry that might lead us away from faithfulness to God?

3. How does the concept of God's righteous judgment challenge or affirm your understanding of His character?

4. What steps can we take to ensure that we are living lives of faithfulness and avoiding the spiritual adultery depicted in Ezekiel 23?

5. How can the themes of judgment and restoration in Ezekiel encourage us in our personal walk with God and in our community of faith?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Jeremiah 25
This chapter also uses the imagery of a cup to describe God's wrath being poured out on the nations, including Judah, for their disobedience.

Isaiah 51
The prophet Isaiah speaks of the cup of God's wrath, which Jerusalem has drunk, leading to desolation and suffering.

Revelation 14
The imagery of the cup of wrath is echoed in the New Testament, where it represents God's final judgment on the wicked.