Ezekiel 23:33

You will be filled with drunkenness and grief, with a cup of devastation and desolation, the cup of your sister Samaria.

Study Bible

You will be filled
The phrase "You will be filled" suggests a complete and overwhelming experience. In the Hebrew context, the word used here can imply being saturated or fully consumed. This indicates that the judgment coming upon the people is not partial but total. It reflects the idea that the consequences of their actions will be inescapable and all-encompassing, much like the way sin can consume one's life if left unchecked.

with drunkenness and grief
Drunkenness in the Bible often symbolizes a loss of control and a state of moral and spiritual stupor. It is a metaphor for the chaos and confusion that results from turning away from God. Grief, on the other hand, speaks to the deep sorrow and regret that follows sin. Together, these terms paint a picture of the emotional and spiritual turmoil that comes from living outside of God's will. Historically, this reflects the state of Israel and Judah as they faced the consequences of their idolatry and unfaithfulness.

with a cup of devastation and desolation
The "cup" is a powerful biblical symbol often associated with God's judgment. In ancient times, a cup could represent one's fate or destiny. Here, "devastation and desolation" describe the severe and destructive nature of the judgment. Devastation implies ruin and destruction, while desolation suggests emptiness and abandonment. This imagery would resonate with the Israelites, who understood the gravity of drinking from such a cup, as it meant experiencing the full measure of God's wrath due to their persistent rebellion.

the cup of your sister Samaria
Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, had already experienced God's judgment due to its idolatry and alliances with pagan nations. By referencing "the cup of your sister Samaria," Ezekiel is drawing a parallel between the fate of Samaria and the impending judgment on Judah. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. Historically, Samaria's fall to the Assyrians in 722 BC was a well-known event, and its mention here underscores the certainty and severity of the judgment awaiting Judah if they do not repent.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezekiel
A prophet of God who ministered to the exiles in Babylon. He conveyed God's messages of judgment and restoration.

2. Oholah and Oholibah
Symbolic names for Samaria and Jerusalem, representing the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel, respectively. They are depicted as sisters in Ezekiel 23, engaging in spiritual adultery.

3. Samaria
The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often associated with idolatry and unfaithfulness to God.

4. Jerusalem
The capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, also guilty of idolatry and spiritual infidelity.

5. The Cup
A metaphor for God's judgment and wrath, often used in prophetic literature to symbolize the consequences of sin and rebellion.

Teaching Points

The Consequences of Sin
Sin leads to spiritual and often physical devastation. The imagery of drunkenness and grief highlights the disorienting and destructive nature of turning away from God.

God's Righteous Judgment
God's judgment is just and inevitable for those who persist in rebellion. The cup symbolizes the certainty and severity of divine retribution.

Call to Repentance
The passage serves as a warning and a call to repentance. It urges believers to examine their lives and turn away from any form of idolatry or unfaithfulness.

The Importance of Faithfulness
Faithfulness to God is paramount. The unfaithfulness of Samaria and Jerusalem serves as a cautionary tale for believers to remain steadfast in their devotion to God.

Hope in Restoration
While the passage focuses on judgment, the broader context of Ezekiel includes promises of restoration for those who repent and return to God.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the imagery of the cup in Ezekiel 23:33 help us understand the seriousness of God's judgment?

2. In what ways can we identify modern forms of idolatry that might lead us away from faithfulness to God?

3. How does the concept of God's righteous judgment challenge or affirm your understanding of His character?

4. What steps can we take to ensure that we are living lives of faithfulness and avoiding the spiritual adultery depicted in Ezekiel 23?

5. How can the themes of judgment and restoration in Ezekiel encourage us in our personal walk with God and in our community of faith?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Jeremiah 25
This chapter also uses the imagery of a cup to describe God's wrath being poured out on the nations, including Judah, for their disobedience.

Isaiah 51
The prophet Isaiah speaks of the cup of God's wrath, which Jerusalem has drunk, leading to desolation and suffering.

Revelation 14
The imagery of the cup of wrath is echoed in the New Testament, where it represents God's final judgment on the wicked.