Ezekiel 24: 16-18 NLT reads, “‘Son of man, with one blow I will take away your dearest treasure. Yet you must not show any sorrow at her death. Do not weep; let there be no tears. Groan silently, but let there be no wailing at her grave. Do not uncover your head or take off your sandals. Do not perform the usual rituals of mourning or accept any food brought to you by consoling friends.’ So I proclaimed this to the people the next morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did everything I had been told to do”.
When we come to this particular passage of scripture, Ezekiel was in the midst of prophesying a series of warnings to the people of Jerusalem who were rebelling against God, worshipping idols, committing detestable sins, and defiling God’s Temple amongst other things. As we read, a word from the Lord came to Ezekiel regarding his dearest treasure. The Lord revealed that He was going to take Ezekiel’s wife, but it does not end there. Immediately following that revelation, He issued stipulations to Ezekiel regarding his display of grief. Ezekiel arose, prophesied, and watched the prophesy come to pass. To me, the most impressionable segment of the scripture is, “The next morning I did everything I had been told to do”. Ezekiel had lost his dearest treasure and was grieving internally, YET he did everything the Lord told him to do. Not only did he abide by the stipulations the Lord had given him, he also continued prophesying to the people as the Lord instructed him. Ezekiel did not allow his emotions, the cultural customs, or his friends to interfere with his obedience to God. He remained God’s faithful servant by moving forward with the assignment he had been given. The Lord equated Ezekiel’s loss to the loss of a source of security and pride that his heart delighted in (Ezekiel 24:21). If you continue reading that chapter, you will note that Ezekiel’s loss and display of grief was a demonstration to Jerusalem’s people of how they would grieve after God slaughtered their children and destroyed the Temple— the very people and place they viewed as their dearest treasures.
As you reflect on the passage of scripture, imagine Ezekiel’s emotional response after receiving the prophesy regarding his wife. How would you respond if the Lord revealed such a thing to you? Would you remain aligned with the Lord if He took your dearest treasure? Would you remain obedient to the instructions He gave you despite your loss? Would you remain a faithful servant in the midst of the loss? Would you still carry out the assignment as His chosen vessel? Are you willing to render your life to God to be used as a demonstration to people? If there was any hesitancy within your heart when answering those questions, do not be ashamed. You can humbly take your hesitancy to God in prayer, and allow Holy Spirit to guide you. Ttyl.
Real Talk with Keve 