16:23-29
Israel’s unfaithfulness was not just done in private, she made shrines in every public place, she boasted of her infidelity. Verse 25 and 26 express things in a manner we would consider to be somewhat crude, speaking of Israel opening her legs and Egyptians with large genitals! But her infidelity was crude. So often we try to dress up sin as something less than it really is. Her promiscuity was increasing. When sin takes a hold it gets a life of its own and we lose control. Egypt, Assyria and Babylon are also named as her partners. She offered herself to all these nations, and this would often include taking on board the gods of these nations.
16:30-34
“I am filled with fury against you”. God’s wrath is judicial, but it is not only judicial, it is also passionate. The Lord was horrified at what Israel was doing. She wasn’t even acting like a proper prostitute, for a prostitute offers herself for money, Israel was just giving herself away. “You prefer strangers to your own husband”. Israel was totally wrong in the way she acted, and it would lead only to her own destruction. When sin gets a hold of someone it makes that person act in a totally irrational manner. And Israel ran after others to offer herself. She looked and acted in an utterly ridiculous manner. Sin makes fools of us.
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