Ezekiel 24:1-27
Q.1. What was the message of the boiling pot? Why would God not reverse His judgment of Judah? – (Ezk.24:1-14)
God’s timing is very different from ours. This can cause people to ridicule those who deliver the Word of the Lord, as with Ezekiel. Ezekiel himself disliked the message he was instructed to give. However, any delay made him appear like a liar. Here God told Ezekiel – Son of man, write the name of the day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day (Ezk.24:2). This was to be a fateful day. Ezekiel was to boil a pot of the choicest of the flock, to signify that – I, the Lord, have spoken; it is coming and I will act. I will not relent, and I will not pity and I will not be sorry; according to your ways and according to your deeds I will judge you,” declares the Lord God (Ezk.24:14).
Q.2. Why was Ezekiel to refrain from grieving for the loss of his wife? How was the prophet to be a sign to Judah? – (Ezk.24:15-27)
It can be hard to be a prophet of God. Ezekiel loved his companion for life, who was described as – the desire of your eyes (Ezk.24:16). However, on this same day, his wife would die. That would be indescribably hard, plus there was a further test – “Son of man, behold, I am about to take from you the desire of your eyes with a blow; but you shall not mourn and you shall not weep, and your tears shall not come (Ezk.24: 16). This was a massive blow. Not only did Ezekiel lose his life’s companion, but he was to grieve without the normal display of sorrow. All this was to be a sign to the nation who despised God’s messages. We read that the faithful prophet – did what he was commanded (Ezk.24:18). This was so noticeable, that the people inquired – Will you not tell us what these things that you are doing mean for us? (Ezk.24:19). Then came the message of doom – Speak to the house of Israel, "Thus says the Lord God,Behold, I am about to profane My sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes and the delight of your soul; and your sons and your daughters whom you have left behind will fall by the sword (Ezk.24:21). It would lead the people to realize – when it comes, then you will know that I am the Lord God (Ezk.24:24).