Dusk in a mud-brick courtyard: a large blackened copper cauldron set on three stones over a fire of split logs, steam rising, a low wall behind, under a calm, darkening, empty sky.

The sword drawn

Ezekiel 24

When grief comes, where do you look for God?

27 verses≈ 5 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1–3Visions of gloryBy the Kebar, about 593 BC: the throne, the scroll, the watchman
4–7Signs of the siegeA brick, a ration, a razor: the end has come
8–11The glory departsAbout 592 BC: the temple’s abominations, the mark, the glory goes east
12–15False hopesExile acted out, false prophets, a useless vine
16–19Parables and lamentsAn unfaithful bride, two eagles, the one who sins
20–24The sword drawnRebellion retold; the siege begins, about 588 BCChapter 24
25–32The nations judgedAmmon to Egypt: the LORD is Judge of all the earth
33–36A new heartThe city falls; the Good Shepherd; cleansed and made new
37–39Dry bones liveOne people raised up, and Gog of Magog defeated
40–48The LORD is thereAbout 573 BC: the new temple, the river, the land

The Parable of the Cooking Pot

God

In the ninth year, on the tenth day of the tenth month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, write down today’s date, for on this very day the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem.

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God

Now speak a parable to this rebellious house and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says:

‘Put the pot on the fire;

put it on and pour in the water.

God

Put in the pieces of meat,

every good piece—

thigh and shoulder—

fill it with choice bones.

Take the choicest of the flock

and pile the fuel beneath it.

Bring it to a boil

and cook the bones in it.’

God

Close in raking light on the rim and shoulder of a copper cauldron crusted thick with green-black corrosion and caked scum, a ring handle stiff with it, the pot standing empty on cold stones.

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says:

‘Woe to the city of bloodshed,

to the pot now rusted,

whose rust will not come off!

Empty it piece by piece;

cast no lots for its contents.

God

For the blood she shed is still within her;

she poured it out on the bare rock;

she did not pour it on the ground

to cover it with dust.

God

In order to stir up wrath

and take vengeance,

I have placed her blood on the bare rock,

so that it would not be covered.’

God

God

Yes, this is what the Lord GOD says:

‘Woe to the city of bloodshed!

I, too, will pile the kindling high.

Pile on the logs and kindle the fire;

cook the meat well

and mix in the spices;

let the bones be burned.

God

Set the empty pot on its coals

until it becomes hot and its copper glows.

Then its impurity will melt within;

its rust will be consumed.

God

It has frustrated every effort;

its thick rust has not been removed,

even by the fire.

God

Because of the indecency of your uncleanness

I tried to cleanse you,

but you would not be purified

from your filthiness.

You will not be pure again

until My wrath against you has subsided.

God

Night: an empty copper cauldron standing on a bed of red coals, its copper glowing dull red, the crust on its rim flaking and burning off in small flames, under a calm, dark, empty sky.

I, the LORD, have spoken;

the time is coming, and I will act.

I will not refrain or show pity,

nor will I relent.

I will judge you

according to your ways and deeds,’

declares the Lord GOD.”

0:12

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Question

Quick question

Look again at the first words the LORD spoke to Ezekiel that day.

What did the LORD tell Ezekiel to write down?

Ezekiel’s Wife Dies

God

Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, behold, I am about to take away the desire of your eyes with a fatal blow. But you must not mourn or weep or let your tears flow.

God

God

Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.”

Ezekiel

Evening at the open plank door of a mud-brick house: a single clay lamp burning low on the doorsill, a folded dark-blue wool head covering laid beside it, the room behind dim and still.

So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And the next morning I did as I had been commanded.

Ezekiel

Then the people asked me, “Won’t you tell us what these things you are doing mean to us?”

Ezekiel

So I answered them, “The word of the LORD came to me, saying:

God

Early morning over Jerusalem: the plain stone temple with its two bronze pillars standing on its height in first light, smoke rising straight from the altar in the court, the city’s flat roofs below.

Tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I am about to desecrate My sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes, and the delight of your soul. And the sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.’

God

Then you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners. Your turbans will remain on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep, but you will waste away because of your sins, and you will groan among yourselves.

God

‘Thus Ezekiel will be a sign for you; you will do everything that he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Lord GOD.’

God

Dawn on a long straight road across the flat Babylonian plain: one travel-worn man far off, walking alone with a staff and a small bundle, dust behind him, palms and low houses ahead.

And you, son of man, know that on the day I take away their stronghold, their pride and joy—the desire of their eyes which uplifted their souls—and their sons and daughters as well, on that day a fugitive will come and tell you the news.

God

On that day your mouth will be opened to him who has escaped; you will speak and no longer be mute. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD.”

Ezekiel 24:27

Pray

Lord, when You take what I love, You are still near. Hold me in my grief, keep me obeying when I do not understand, and let me grieve with hope in Jesus. Amen.

You’ve experienced

Ezekiel 24

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A verse to carry with you

On that day your mouth will be opened to him who has escaped; you will speak and no longer be mute. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 24:27

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