Ezekiel 24
In the ninth year, in the tenth month on the tenth day, the word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, record this date, this very date, because the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day. 3 Tell this rebellious people a parable and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“‘Put on the cooking pot; put it on
and pour water into it.
4 Put into it the pieces of meat,
all the choice pieces—the leg and the shoulder.
Fill it with the best of these bones;
5 take the pick of the flock.
Pile wood beneath it for the bones;
bring it to a boil
and cook the bones in it.6 “‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“‘Woe to the city of bloodshed,
to the pot now encrusted,
whose deposit will not go away!
Take the meat out piece by piece
in whatever order it comes.7 “‘For the blood she shed is in her midst:
She poured it on the bare rock;
she did not pour it on the ground,
where the dust would cover it.
8 To stir up wrath and take revenge
I put her blood on the bare rock,
so that it would not be covered.9 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“‘Woe to the city of bloodshed!
I, too, will pile the wood high.
10 So heap on the wood
and kindle the fire.
Cook the meat well,
mixing in the spices;
and let the bones be charred.
11 Then set the empty pot on the coals
till it becomes hot and its copper glows,
so that its impurities may be melted
and its deposit burned away.
12 It has frustrated all efforts;
its heavy deposit has not been removed,
not even by fire.13 “‘Now your impurity is lewdness. Because I tried to cleanse you but you would not be cleansed from your impurity, you will not be clean again until my wrath against you has subsided.
14 “‘I the Lord have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not hold back; I will not have pity, nor will I relent. You will be judged according to your conduct and your actions, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”
15 The word of the Lord came to me: 16 “Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears. 17 Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban fastened and your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache and beard or eat the customary food of mourners.”
18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.
19 Then the people asked me, “Won’t you tell us what these things have to do with us? Why are you acting like this?”
20 So I said to them, “The word of the Lord came to me: 21 Say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary—the stronghold in which you take pride, the delight of your eyes, the object of your affection. The sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword. 22 And you will do as I have done. You will not cover your mustache and beard or eat the customary food of mourners. 23 You will keep your turbans on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep but will waste away because of your sins and groan among yourselves. 24 Ezekiel will be a sign to you; you will do just as he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.’
25 “And you, son of man, on the day I take away their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes, their heart’s desire, and their sons and daughters as well— 26 on that day a fugitive will come to tell you the news. 27 At that time your mouth will be opened; you will speak with him and will no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the Lord.”
Ezekiel 24 Meaning
The verses in Ezekiel 24 are part of a prophecy that God gave to the prophet Ezekiel regarding the judgment and destruction of Jerusalem. In these verses, God uses a cooking pot as a metaphor to symbolize the city of Jerusalem and the impending judgment that it will face. The boiling pot represents the intense heat and destruction that will come upon the city, while the choice pieces of meat inside the pot represent the people of Jerusalem who will be consumed by the judgment.
Ezekiel 24 Commentary and Explanation
Ezekiel 24 is a chapter in the Book of Ezekiel that contains a powerful message from God to the prophet Ezekiel and the people of Israel. In this chapter, we witness a vivid and dramatic parable through which God conveys a profound message about the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the Israelites.
The chapter begins with God speaking to Ezekiel, instructing him to prepare a boiling pot and gather choice pieces of meat from the flock, symbolizing the city of Jerusalem and its inhabitants. The boiling pot represents the city under siege and facing the wrath of God’s judgment. This image is reminiscent of other prophecies of Jerusalem’s destruction, such as in Jeremiah 19:1-15, where Jeremiah also uses a pot to convey a similar message.
As the pot simmers over the fire, the Lord instructs Ezekiel to fill it with water, which signifies the inevitability of divine judgment and cleansing. This is a reminder of the importance of repentance and turning back to God. The idea of purification through water is a recurring theme in the Bible, notably seen in passages like Psalm 51:7, where David pleads for cleansing with hyssop.
However, what sets this passage apart is the symbolism of the meat within the pot. The Lord explicitly compares the choice pieces of meat to the people of Jerusalem. The message here is that the people have become corrupt and defiled, just as the meat within the pot becomes tainted by their sin. This parallels Isaiah 1:4-6, where God laments the sinful state of His people.
In verse 6, God declares His intention to pour out His wrath and judgment upon Jerusalem, demonstrating His righteous anger at their wickedness. This judgment is not arbitrary but rather a consequence of their persistent rebellion against God’s laws, much like the warnings throughout the Old Testament, such as Deuteronomy 28:15-68.
Ezekiel’s unusual behavior in verse 18, not mourning the death of his wife as a sign to the people, emphasizes the gravity of the impending judgment. It serves as a stark reminder that even in times of great sorrow, there must be a recognition of God’s justice and the consequences of sin. This action by Ezekiel finds its parallel in Hosea 1:2-9, where the prophet’s own life serves as a symbol of God’s judgment.
As we reach the conclusion of the chapter, we see that God uses this parable of the boiling pot to underscore His message. The destruction of Jerusalem is imminent, and there will be no mourning, no comfort, and no turning back. This echoes the warnings found in other prophetic books like Jeremiah and Isaiah, where the consequences of disobedience are dire.
Ezekiel 24 serves as a powerful reminder that God’s judgment is just, and it is the result of persistent disobedience. However, it also conveys a message of hope, as seen in Ezekiel’s actions earlier in the book, where he prophesied the restoration and revival of Israel in Ezekiel 37. This chapter underscores the importance of repentance, purification, and turning back to God, for even in the midst of judgment, there is room for redemption and restoration.
Overall, Ezekiel 24 is a chapter rich in symbolism and imagery, offering a profound message about God’s righteous judgment and the consequences of persistent sin. It calls us to reflect on our own lives and our relationship with God, reminding us of the importance of repentance and the hope of redemption through His grace.
Also Read: Hebrews 10:19-25 Meaning and Commentary
Context of Ezekiel 24
Ezekiel was a prophet who ministered to the exiles in Babylon during the time of the Babylonian captivity. His ministry lasted for over 20 years, and he was called to speak God’s message to the people of Judah and Jerusalem during a time of great upheaval and judgment.
In Ezekiel 24, God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy against Jerusalem and deliver a message of judgment. This chapter is part of a larger section of prophecies that Ezekiel delivered concerning the fall of Jerusalem. God used Ezekiel to warn the people of the impending judgment and to call them to repentance.
Lessons From Ezekiel 24
The prophecy in Ezekiel 24 teaches us several important lessons. First, it highlights the consequences of sin. The people of Jerusalem had turned away from God and embraced wickedness, and as a result, they faced judgment. This serves as a warning to us that sin has serious consequences and separates us from God.
Second, the prophecy reminds us of God’s justice. God is a holy and righteous God who cannot tolerate sin. He will judge sin and bring justice. This should encourage us to live righteously and seek to please God in all we do.
Third, the prophecy reveals God’s mercy. Despite the impending judgment, God gives the people of Jerusalem an opportunity to repent. He warns them through the prophet Ezekiel and gives them a chance to turn from their wicked ways. This shows us that God is patient and compassionate, desiring that all come to repentance.
Final Thoughts
The prophecy in Ezekiel 24 serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the justice of God. It is a call to repentance and a reminder that God is willing to extend mercy to those who turn to Him.
As Christians, we can learn from the example of the people of Jerusalem and seek to live lives that honor and please God. Let us turn from sin, seek His forgiveness, and live in obedience to His will, knowing that He is just and merciful.