23:40,41
The messengers were the envoys that were sent to other countries, seeking to enlist their help in resisting the invaders, or buying off the threats. They sought to make themselves attractive to these nations, showing no concern to whether or not they looked “attractive” to God! As churches we need to be very careful that in seeking to win the world we do not “prostitute” ourselves.
23:41-45
There was a party atmosphere. The nations flattered the nations of Samaria and Judah. “They slept with her”. This is referring to the nations taking what they wanted from Samaria and Jerusalem. The two sisters may have thought they were attractive, that they were winning the favours of these nations. They could not have been more wrong, and this is all part of the tragedy of the situation.
23:46-49
“You will suffer the penalty ... then you will know I am the Sovereign Lord”. This is what it is all about. Judah and Israel’s idolatry would get then nowhere good. “That all women may take warning”. “Women” here is used because of the nature of the allegorical tale, it should not be taken in a sexist way! The church would do well to learn these lessons whenever we are tempted to go along with the world.
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