When God Says, "Woe"
"...Woe! Woe to you, declares the Sovereign LORD." (Ezekiel 16:23) The entire chapter of Ezekiel 16 is gripping, graphic and crushing. Why? Because God has said, "Woe" several times in response to the ongoing rebellion of His people of Jerusalem. Almighty God, the all-powerful Creator of the universe -- "the LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love to thousands and forgiving wickedness and sin" (Exodus 34:6) -- is very, very angry with His people. Their sins of pride, idolatry, adultery and the sacrificing of their own children were spreading worse than an incurable disease. God had enough and as we can see (Exodus 34:6), God is long-suffering! In the first 15 verses of Ezekiel 16, God is describing His love, adoration and pampering of His beloved bride, the people of Jerusalem. But soon, pride and vanity rose up in their hearts and God was not pleased. "But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to ...