Ezekiel 24:8-18

8 Blood out in the open to public view to provoke my wrath, to trigger my vengeance.

9 "'Therefore, this is what God, the Master, says: "'Doom to the city of murder! I, too, will pile on the wood.

10 Stack the wood high, light the match, Cook the meat, spice it well, pour out the broth, and then burn the bones.

11 Then I'll set the empty pot on the coals and heat it red-hot so the bronze glows, So the germs are killed and the corruption is burned off.

12 But it's hopeless. It's too far gone. The filth is too thick.

13 "'Your encrusted filth is your filthy sex. I wanted to clean you up, but you wouldn't let me. I'll make no more attempts at cleaning you up until my anger quiets down.

14 I, God, have said it, and I'll do it. I'm not holding back. I've run out of compassion. I'm not changing my mind. You're getting exactly what's coming to you. Decree of God, the Master.'"

15 God's Message came to me:

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.

Ezekiel 24:8-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 24

Is this chapter the destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem is prophesied of; the former under the parable of a boiling pot; the latter is represented by the sudden death of Ezekiel's wife. The time of this prophecy was that very day the king of Babylon began the siege of Jerusalem, Eze 24:1,2, the parable of the boiling pot, Eze 24:3-5, the explanation and application of it to the city of Jerusalem, Eze 24:6-14, the prophet is told of the death of his wife, and bid not to mourn on that account, which accordingly came to pass, Eze 24:15-18, upon the people's inquiring what these things meant, he informs them that hereby was signified the profanation of the temple; and that their distress should be so great, that they should not use any set forms of mourning, but pine away and die, Eze 24:19-24, and the chapter is closed with assuring the prophet, that the day these things should come to pass, a messenger should be sent him, to whom he should open his mouth, and be no more dumb, Eze 24:25-27.