46 The Parable of the Two Harlots

This chapter continues with the Lord’s displeasure of Israel’s sins. It is another long parable of spiritual harlotry similar to that which the Lord gave us in chapter sixteen. Chapter sixteen focused on the breaking of marriage vows between Israel and Jehovah’s sacred covenant with the Jews. This chapter will discuss Israel’s worldliness particularly with treaties and alliances with other nations. These alliances were treated by the Jews as being stronger for security and safety then the total dependency they should have had on God. They represent a desire to free their souls away from God, seeking to satisfy themselves, apart from His commands, with practices He forbade. He faults them particularly with her spiritual sins. While the references here will be to sexual immorality the imagery actually is “spiritual fornication” or leaving the genuine God of Creation for pagan occultic non-gods. Scripture uses sexual lust as a metaphor for idol worship (Ezekiel 16:15-34). The imagery employed here is vivid with the illustration of sexual immorality through prostitution which closely resembles Israel’s departure from the genuine (sexual intercourse ordained by God in a committed marriage). They left for that which did not love her or have her best interest at heart.