Ezekiel 21-24, Psalm 143
Ezekiel 24:15-18 (NLT)
“Then this message came to me from the Lord: ‘Son of man, with one blow I will take away your dearest treasure. Yet you must not show any sorrow at her death. Do not weep; let there be no tears. Groan silently, but let there be no wailing at her grave. Do not uncover your head or take off your sandals. Do not perform the usual rituals of mourning or accept any food brought to you by consoling friends.’ So I proclaimed this to the people the next morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did everything I had been told to do.”
In Ezekiel 24:15-18, we read about the depth of Ezekiel’s obedience to the Lord. Father-God told Ezekiel that He would take his wife and commanded him to refrain from the traditional mourning practices. His wife died in the evening, and the next morning Ezekiel did exactly what the Lord told him to do.
These verses remind believers that we must always be prepared to follow the Lord’s guidance even if it doesn’t follow what the world expects. People expected Ezekiel to groan, wail, uncover his head, and take off his sandals after his wife died to show that he was mourning. Father-God specifically told Ezekiel not to show outward sorrow at his wife’s death. Ezekiel sacrificed personal comfort and customs because the Lord told him to do so. Ezekiel had total trust in the Lord’s plans, and he didn’t hesitate to obey.
One Bible commentary I read noted that believers must always yield to Father-God even in the most difficult times. The love of the Lord must be greater than the love we have even for family and loved ones. Another Bible commentary said that these verses tell believers that they are not slaves to their emotions. We have the Holy Spirit to help us not be ruled by our emotions.
I am in awe of Ezekiel’s trust in the Lord and his absolute faithfulness to do whatever the Lord commanded him to do. I never thought of Ezekiel as a role model for how to be faithful to the Lord. Ezekiel prophesied during the time when the people of Israel were in exile in Babylon, and the Lord already told him to keep prophesying and be prepared for people not to listen to him. I know that when I have doubts about what the Lord wants me to do with my life, I can read these verses and be inspired to have the obedience of Ezekiel.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who gives us role models for our faith in the Bible to inspire us—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
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