The Boiling Pot of Judgment
On the day Babylon's siege begins, Jerusalem is a corroded pot boiled dry. That same evening our Father takes Ezekiel's wife and forbids him to mourn her, a sign that when the temple falls the people will be too stunned to weep.
24 1In the ninth year, tenth month, tenth day, the word of our Father came to me:
2Son of man, record this day's name, this very day. Babylon's king laid siege to Jerusalem this very day. 3Speak a parable to the rebellious house and say to them: This is what the Sovereign Father says: "Set the pot on, pour water in. 4Put in the pieces, every good piece, the thigh and the shoulder; fill it with the choicest bones. 5Take the choicest of the flock, and pile the logs beneath it; bring it to a boil, and cook its bones in it."
6So says the Sovereign Father: Woe to the city of bloodshed, the pot whose corrosion is in it, whose corrosion has not left it! Take it out piece by piece; no lot was cast for it. a a v6 Lots were drawn to make selections; here no lot is cast — every piece comes out indiscriminately, picturing total judgment on Jerusalem. 7"For her blood is in her midst; she set it on the bare rock. She did not pour it on the ground to cover it with dust. 8To stir up wrath and bring justice, I have set her blood on the bare rock, so that it would not be covered."
9So the Sovereign Father says: "Woe to the city of bloodshed! I too will pile the wood high. 10Heap on the wood, kindle the fire, cook the meat through, mix in the spices, and let the bones be charred. 11Then set the empty pot on its coals so that it grows hot and its copper glows, that its impurity may be melted within it and its corrosion consumed. 12She has worn herself out with toil, yet her heavy corrosion will not leave her; her corrosion remains even in the fire. 13Your impurity is your shameful behavior. Because I tried to cleanse you and you would not be cleansed, you will not be clean again until I have satisfied my fury against you. 14I, your Father, have spoken. It is coming, and I will act. I will not hold back, I will not spare, and I will not relent. They will judge you according to your ways and your deeds, declares the Sovereign Father."
The Father Takes Ezekiel's Wife
15The word of our Father came to me:
16"Son of man, with one blow I am taking the delight of your eyes from you. Yet do not mourn or weep, and let no tears fall. b b v16 The death of Ezekiel's wife became a living sign: his forbidden grief mirrored the unspeakable loss Israel would feel when the temple fell. 17Groan quietly; don't mourn the dead. Keep your turban on and sandals on your feet; don't cover your lips or eat mourners' bread."
18I spoke to the people that morning; that evening my wife died. Next morning I did as commanded.
19Then the people asked me, Won't you tell us what these things mean for us—why you're acting this way?
20So I said to them, The word of our Father came to me:
21Say to the house of Israel: The Sovereign Father says: "I am about to desecrate my sanctuary, the pride of your strength, the delight of your eyes, the longing of your soul; and the sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword. 22You will do as I have done: not cover your lips or eat the mourners' bread. 23Your turbans will stay on your heads and sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep, but waste away in your sins and groan to one another. 24So Ezekiel is a sign to you; you will do all he did. When it comes, you will know I am the Sovereign Father.
25"And you, son of man—on the day I take from them their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes, their heart's longing, and their sons and daughters, 26on that day a fugitive will come to you to bring you the news. 27That day, when the escapee arrives, your mouth will open; you will speak and be silent no more. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know I am your Father."
