Ezekiel 24:15-23
Chapter 24
Death of the Wife
The word of the Lord came to me:“Son of man, I am about to take away the delight of your eyes from you suddenly, but you are not to lament, weep, or let tears flow.
Groan in silence and do not mourn for the dead; wear your turban, put on your sandals, do not cover your beard, and do not eat the customary food of mourners.”
I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died that evening. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.
Then the people said to me: “Explain to us the meaning of your actions.”
I told them: “The word of the Lord came to me in these words:
‘Say to Israel: I am about to profane my Sanctuary, your pride, the delight of your eyes that you long for. The sons and daughters you left behind will also fall by the sword,
but you will do as I have done: you will not cover your beard or eat the usual food of mourners;
you will keep your turbans on your heads and sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep. Instead, because of your sin, you will waste away and groan among yourselves.
Commentaries
The Pot On the Fire – Death of the Wife – The Mute Prophet.
The allegory of the pot in 11:3 ironically comments on the false sense of security held by Judah’s leaders regarding Jerusalem’s safety. Now, the prophet ironically predicts the city’s siege on January 15, 587 (1-2). The bloody city (22:4-9) will be consumed by its own corruption—justice turned to rust (9-13). The death of Ezekiel’s wife and the ban on mourning reflect the devastating destruction of the Temple; the people, like Aaron at the death of his two sons (Lv 10:1-7), must mourn in silence for not listening to and mocking the prophet’s warning (21:5). The prophet seems silent from the first vision (3:26). His tongue is only loosened after the announcement of the city’s destruction (26-27), so he can proclaim Israel’s restoration (3:27).