Please read the passage before the commentary
My first reaction on this passage was a smart one, that perhaps we should ban the book of Ezekiel. On the other hand, I do not think we should be in the business of banning books. On the other hand, if the book were banned, perhaps those who are inclined to read banned books would read it.
Please read the passage before reading the commentary
Ezekiel recalled the peasant and poor origins of the Israelite people and that they had nothing to commend them to the Lord, but at the Lord chose them in God’s own mercy and free choice. God had established a covenant with them and, even though the people had broken that covenant, God would not break it. God’s covenant is an everlasting covenant.
While the description of Israel’s infidelity is described in sexual tones, the sin of Sodom, like Israel’s sin, was not sexual in nature. It was a lack of respect for the poor and downtrodden. Even today, many politicians and legislators seem more interested in dealing with sexual matters and show little, if any, respect for the poor and downtrodden.
I have heard comments that describe immigrants and asylum seekers as rapists and perverts. Whereas they are more likely to be impoverished people fleeing danger and poverty. Those who speak this way often seem to have little respect for the poor and impoverished of the land. Infants, youth, those who live outside the parameters of male and female, people with mental illness or addictions have every right to have their needs met. To the prophet, the lack of caring for social justice in the needy was worse than prostitution.
There was also good news announced by Ezekiel in this passage. We people may have broken God’s covenant, but God is not bound by our actions. God will reestablish the covenant with the people. God will continue throughout history to honor the covenant God has made with us. God will, however, still require us to meet the needs to the those trapped in poverty, bad health, addiction, crime, as well as those whose actions abuse or take advantage of other people.