Ezekiel 23:49, commentary and pictures

Ezekiel 23 presents Samaria and Jerusalem, that is Israel and Judah, under the figure of lewd, adulterous women, with a corrupt woman symbolizing a corrupt church, to expose their fearful and awful sins. Their sin was turning from God to foreign powers and their idols, and forsaking God to seek help in Egypt was rebellion against Him. The verse declares judgment as recompense for that unfaithfulness: they must bear the sins and consequences of their idolatry and thereby recognize the Lord.

Historically this meant the king of Babylon's attack on Jerusalem, the removal of the diadem from Israel's profane, wicked prince, and the overturning of the kingdom until the one entitled to rule comes. The scattering and calamity that befell Israel were punishment for disobedience and idolatry. The passage is searching moral instruction that also predicts the last days. Because of its plain treatment of lewdness, the chapter is best read in private, although some passages in it are properly read anywhere.

The same guilt belongs to professed Christian churches today that seek union with the civil power. God has furnished fullness of blessing in Jesus Christ and therefore demands the whole allegiance of His church and will not divide His glory with another.