Today we read Isaiah 57-58, and Ezekiel 14-16. Adult theme warning. We read a parabolic marriage metaphor with a dark allegorical twist (e.g. graphic storytelling imagery) - the marriage goes south with adultery (e.g. for pleasure) which is more frequently described as prostitution (e.g., for profit, gain, numbness). Then this story becomes different from the other similar parables we have read such as the Hosea story or even the Sodom and Gomorra story where Lot's daughters are spared and Hosea pursues His unfaithful wife for restoration. The outcome reads more like Judge 19, where there is shaming and violence that is so gruesome it is hard to consider. We are also reminded that this story is a parable using allegory within the context of a marriage metaphor and not actually about God and a woman but the relationship between God and Jerusalem, the Israelite people which is likened to this scenario, the point being the accusation is here and judgement is being rendered through exile and the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. Perhaps the parable is so allegorically dark and graphic to shock the hardened hearts of the people of Israel, to reach their wayward souls. This story is not condoning violence against women. Have you every listened to a story that is meant to illustrate the truth in imagery or story but you found the crassness or dark humor distasteful and problematic? This story is like that for me. I understand the lesson, the hidden meaning is conveyed, but it doesn't mean I liked the way the message was conveyed. We know from the stories we have already read, God wants right relationship with His people and will not give up on them or His purpose, His rescue mission, His desire to right-side the world.
Resources:
Daniel I. Block. (1997). The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 1–24. Eerdmans.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
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