Ezekiel 24:18

18 So I spoke to my people in the morning. And in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did what I had been commanded to do.

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 will take away from you the wife you delight in. It will happen very soon. But do not sing songs of sadness. Do not let any tears flow from your eyes.
17 Groan quietly. Do not sob out loud over your wife when she dies. Keep your turban on your head. Keep your sandals on your feet. Do not cover the lower part of your face. Do not eat the food people eat to comfort them when someone dies."
18 So I spoke to my people in the morning. And in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did what I had been commanded to do.
19 Then the people said to me, "Tell us what these things have to do with us."
20 So I told them. I said, "A message came to me from the Lord. He said,
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