In chapter 21 the sword, a common symbol of
divine judgment, is about to be unsheathed against
Jerusalem and Ammon. It is seen sharpened, indicating
judgment is imminent. Verses 18-32 are actually
referring to the sword of Nebuchadnezzar. It was his
sword that would be used as a means of God’s judgment.
The phrase “until he come whose right it is” refers to
the overturning of Zedekiah’s house, the end of David’s
kingdom until the coming of the Messiah.
Again in chapter 22 Ezekiel names the sins of
Jerusalem. He states in this chapter that she defiles
herself with idols, sheds blood, profanes the Sabbath,
practices robbery, promiscuous adultery, and that the
priests and prophets are dishonest, after personal
gain.
Chapter 23 records a parable of Israel’s
idolatry. Aholah is Samaria, and her sister Aholibah is
Jerusalem. Samaria represents the Northern Kingdom and
Jerusalem represents the Southern Kingdom. In these
chapters the relationship between husband and wife is
used to represent the relationship between God and His
people. The sins of both Samaria and Jerusalem are
recorded in this chapter. Samaria (verses 5-10) had
politically and spiritually contaminated herself with
Assyria by alliances and religious affiliations.
Aholibah (verses 11-21) likewise sinned. Their
political and religious sin had to be punished (verses
22-35) and the judgment on both Samaria and Jerusalem
was forecast in verses 36-49.