(REFLECTIONS ON EZEKIEL 24:15-27)

When we read today’s Scripture, does it leave us in a state of shock? How could the Lord take away Ezekiel’s wife? How could the Lord then ask Ezekiel not to mourn for the dead and only groan quietly as if grumbling over this life changing event? Yet, we read that the very evening after Ezekiel spoke to the people, his wife died. The people asked Ezekiel, “Won’t you tell us what these things have to do with us?”

In fact, this had everything to do with them. Judah had long forsaken the Lord and thought that it didn’t matter, because their relationship with God would always be the same. They were confident that the temple in Jerusalem, and Jerusalem itself, would always be theirs. However, this confidence, led them to take the temple, Jerusalem, and ultimately God for granted.

Ezekiel had every reason to cry aloud and reject God for what happened to him. Yet, he remained faithful to God despite what seemingly were unfair circumstances in his life. Judah though, had taken the Lord and their identity as the Lord’s chosen people for granted, and that would leave them in a state of shock.

Yes, unfair things happen in this world and in our life. Things happen that we can’t explain, that we think shouldn’t happen, that make us angry at ourselves, the world, and God. It reminds us to not take anything for granted. Not the people in our lives, our life here on earth, and most importantly our relationship with God.

We may not be able to understand and explain how this tragedy could happen to Ezekiel, but isn’t that the reality of our lives? We can’t explain everything, we can’t control everything, things aren’t fair sometimes, and we often lack the perspective to understand why. However, we are reminded today to remain faithful to God even when life takes an unfortunate turn, and to appreciate each and every day, each and every person, each and every experience, because we really don’t know what tomorrow holds.

We are shocked at what happened to Ezekiel, but was Ezekiel shocked? Israel was shocked at what happened to the temple and to Jerusalem, but should have they been shocked?

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Ezekiel 24