Ezekiel 24:18

18 I preached to the people in the morning. That evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I'd been told.

Ezekiel 24:18 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 24:18

So I spake unto the people in the morning
Did the duty of his office as a prophet; exhorted and instructed the people, particularly informed them of what had been said to him by the Lord, the evening or night before, concerning the death of his wife, and how he was to behave under such a providence; which he told them of before hand, that, when it came to pass, they might have a further proof of his being a true prophet of the Lord: and at even my wife died;
suddenly, as it was said she should; this shows who is meant by the desire of his eyes, and what by the taking it away; and I did in the morning as I was commanded;
neither moaned, nor sighed, nor wept, nor shed a tear, nor used any of the common ceremonies of mourning, but dressed and ate as at other times, as he was ordered to do; this was the next morning after his wife died. So the Syriac version,

``in the morning of the other day;''

and the Arabic version,

``in the morning of the following day.''

Thus whatever the Lord commands is to be done, though ever so contrary to the customs of men, or to natural inclinations and affections.

Ezekiel 24:18 In-Context

16 "Son of man, I'm about to take from you the delight of your life - a real blow, I know. But, please, no tears.

17 Keep your grief to yourself. No public mourning. Get dressed as usual and go about your work - none of the usual funeral rituals."

18 I preached to the people in the morning. That evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I'd been told.

19 The people came to me, saying, "Tell us why you're acting like this. What does it mean, anyway?"

20 So I told them, "God's Word came to me, saying,