Ezekiel 24

We mentioned in yesterday’s study how graphic the sermon was in referring to the prostitute sisters.  But that pales in comparison to the graphic illustration of the death of Ezekiel’s wife as well as the announcement to the Jews in Babylon that the siege of Jerusalem had begun.  It’s about two and a half years later than the last sermon (cf. Ezek. 20:1 with 24:1).  Apparently there are still people who think Jerusalem will stand and they will soon be able to return.  But such is not the case and Ezekiel’s message from God makes this clear.

This chapter is linked by the date with the announcement of judgment on four nations that surround Israel (Ch. 25). This is followed up by a sermon of judgment on Tyre (Ch. 26-28) and six sermons announcing judgment on Egypt (Ch. 29-33).    At that point the siege of Jerusalem comes to a conclusion and the city is captured (33:21-22).  So what is coming are the messages concerning other nations. 

But first, in Ezek. 24, a final sermon concerning Jerusalem.

·        24:1-14: the parable of the cooking pot.  The day the siege of Jerusalem began (January of 587 or 588 BC) became a day of fasting during the time of the captivity (Zech. 8:19).  On that day this parable was told, of a pot filled with meat cooking over a fire.  The fire is so hot that not only is the meat burned; the scum on the pot is burned as well.  The point is not hard to understand.  The pot is Jerusalem, the bloody city.  God stokes the fire.  And the meat and scum is His people.  In the end the pot, Jerusalem, is cleansed.  So the lesson is that there are two ways to be cleansed: by repentance, but if not in that way, then it will be through judgment.

·        24:15-27: the death of the prophet’s wife.  What a powerful statement!  It is a statement about the sovereign power of God and of the extent to which God would speak through the prophet.  The prophet’s faithfulness extends even to the way he grieves in the loss of the “desire of his eyes.”  ) Ezekiel’s wife represented the Sanctuary (v20-24).  In order to cause the people to feel the significance of the loss of the Temple, the place of God’s dwelling, the place that set Israel apart from all other nations, nothing would portray that sense of loss like the death of Ezekiel’s wife.  That is how sad it would be for God’s people.  And yet, like Ezekiel, they would not mourn that loss.

Listen to the Spirit of God as you meditate on this amazing sermon.  Perhaps you will consider what it means to obediently serve God.  You may be reminded of God’s claim on our lives and all we have.  We exist for His glory and how we glorify Him is ultimately in His hands.  Perhaps you will think about God’s faithfulness in keeping His word.  One might reflect as well on the precious experience of fellowship with God.  He created us for this, to enjoy being in His presence.  Perhaps this will be a stark reminder as to why you no longer or have never enjoyed that fellowship.  Hear what the Spirit says through God’s word!