The Cooking Pot and death of Ezekiel's wife

Ezekiel     Chapter 24

On January 15th in the ninth year of King Johoiachin's captivity, Ezekiel received a message from the Lord telling him to keep track of the date because on this day the king of Babylon began his attack on Jerusalem. He told Ezekiel to do illustrations for the people. He had him fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil, then fill it with choice meat and cook it over big fire, bones and all. This was to show that destruction was certain for Jerusalem. She was a pot filled with corruption and he wanted Ezekiel to take the chunks of meat from the pot and tell the people that one might be wickedness, another a murder in Jerusalem. But Jerusalem doesn't even try to cover it. So the Lord would pile up the fuel beneath her and he told Ezekiel to heap on the wood and make the pot boil and add spices then empty the pot and burn the bones.

Then the Lord asked Ezekel to set the empty pot on the coals to scorch away the filth and corruption. But they would see it was hopeless, the corruption remains. So he asked Ezekiel to throw the pot into the fire to try to cleanse it of lewdness and idolatry. But it remained filthy. And so the Lord said the city would be judged on the basis of their wicked actions.

Then the Lord told Ezekiel that he was going to take away his dearest treasure (his wife), and she would die suddenly and yet he was not to show any sorrow, nor weep. He could sigh quietly, but no wailing at her grave. And he told Ezekiel to not uncover his head or take off his sandals, nor perform the rituals of mourning or accept any food brought by friends. So Ezekiel told the Lord's message to the people, and in the evening his wife died. And when he did as the Lord instructed, the people asked what he was trying to tell them.

So Ezekiel told the people of the message of the Lord and how he would desecrate the Temple, the source of the people's security and pride. And their sons and daughters in Juda would be slaughtered by the sword. Then he ordered them to do as Ezekiel did, no mourning in public, no eating food brought by friends. Their heads were to remain covered and sandals kept on. They were not to mourn or weep, but they would waste away because of their sins. They should mourn privately and follow Ezekiel's example.

Then the Lord told Ezekiel that when he takes away their heart's desire, their dearest treasure, he would also take away their sons and daughters. Then a refugee from Jerusalem would come and tell them what happened. And when he arrives, the Lord said, your voice will return so you can talk to him and you will be a symbol for these people and they will know I am the Lord.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Although the people thought they were safe and secure inside the cooking pot, the pot would actually be their place of destruction. The date of the message coincided with the siege of Jerusalem that lasted over two years. And all because the city was like the pot and would never come clean. Even in our times, God wants us to cleanse our lives. We need to reexamine our lives, our priorities, so we can do what really counts.
When God told Ezekiel his wife would die. It showed the relationship between God and his people. Those who work for God may pay a high price, and obedience is a high price, but we must be totally committed to our Lord as Ezekiel was. Sometimes we don't feel like being committed, but we must perservere. I hope when God gives me trials and you trials, that we are willing to serve God as completely as Ezekiel did.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:


HEALTH:

Pray for my grandson Hunter who is lost and afraid and far away from home.

Pray for Garry and Steve my insurance men who have prostate cancer.

Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.

Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer and who recently underwent major surgery.

Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with a form of MS.

Update on Robert Sargent : cancer finally claimed him and he died last week.

Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.

Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who has been undergoing chemo. Pray also for Charly who longs to be 100 percent again and walk without an aid.

Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.

SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary

RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John

LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian

SUPPORT: Pray for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom. Pray for our farmers and those who raise livestock during this terrible drought. Pray for us consumers who will face higher grocery prices and the poor who won’t be able to adjust what little budget they have.