יחזקאל, פרק כ״ג, פסוק מ״ג

God observes the nation, comparing her to a woman deeply entrenched in the sins of idolatry. He expresses profound amazement at her relentless dedication to her destructive ways, even as the years pass.

The primary approach among commentators is that the imagery depicts a state of old age and deterioration. The nation is likened to a woman who has grown old and worn out through endless acts of betrayal and sin [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, רד״ק, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ, חומת אנך]. However, a unique perspective suggests that this deterioration is not a matter of natural aging. Instead, it represents a severe, contagious disease, similar to leprosy, which physically consumes the flesh of the sinners [מלבי״ם].

Against this backdrop of decline, God contrasts His expectations with a deeply disappointing reality. The natural assumption was that her destructive desires would eventually depart from her. Much like an unfaithful spouse leaving her husband's domain [רש״י, מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ], God anticipated that her urge to sin would finally leave. After worshiping idols for so long and witnessing their absolute worthlessness, she should have abandoned her desires and changed her ways [רש״י, מצודת דוד, חומת אנך]. This raises a mocking, rhetorical question: is the time of old age and frailty truly the moment to continue a life of betrayal? [אברבנאל].

Yet, despite the expectation that her evil deeds would naturally fade, the nation remained exactly as she was. She stood firm in her rebellion, clinging to her old desires without the slightest change [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, חומת אנך]. Because of this stubborn refusal to repent, her ultimate fate takes two possible forms. Some explain that the concept of departure hints at a forced exile from the Land of Israel, where the nation and her worthless idols will perish together [רד״ק]. Alternatively, following the view that she was struck by a severe illness, God curses the sinners so that their acts of betrayal, and the nation herself, will ultimately fall victim to the very disease that consumes them [מלבי״ם].