Monday, August 23, 2010

"You Will Mourn Privately"


Scripture Passage



Scripture Focus

Then you will do as Ezekiel has done. You will not mourn in public or console yourselves by eating the food brought by friends. Your heads will remain covered, and your sandals will not be taken off. You will not mourn or weep, but you will waste away because of your sins. You will mourn privately for all the evil you have done. (Ezekiel 24:22-23 NLT)

Observation

Let’s be honest—again today there’s not much to leave a reader jumping up and down with joy. Today’s reading speaks repeatedly of the ways in which God’s justice will be seen in His judgment—not just on Judah, but on Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, and Egypt, as well.

But the strength of the blow of judgment against Judah in particular is seen in this strange paragraph from Ezekiel 24. Ezekiel is to prophecy the death of his own wife—someone dear to him like no one else—and then, when it happens, Ezekiel is forbidden any public signs of mourning!

The death of Ezekiel’s wife happens just as he has prophesied, and Ezekiel obeys the command of God not to publically mourn. The people, understandably, question why. And Ezekiel makes it clear that all of this is an object lesson for them. When God’s judgment strikes, they, too, will mourn—but without any of the support that others are able to offer in a time of great loss. “You will mourn privately for all the evil you have done” (Ezekiel 24:23 NLT).

If you’ve ever walked through a significant loss like the loss Ezekiel experienced here, you know one of two things: You know how valuable the support of others was to you…or you know how deeply you missed what others could have supplied if they would have. Judah’s mourning at the time of their destruction by Babylon would have been bad enough—but how painful must it have been to walk through that loss without the kind of support from others that makes such losses bearable? And how severe and persistent their rebellion must have been for God to deem such judgment necessary.

Again today, my only response is to cry out, “God—never…never let me grow so calloused or insensitive to your voice…toward your holiness…that such judgment is necessary in my life. Thank you that, in Jesus Christ, what judgment I have deserved has been borne for me. Let my life always invite your blessing, never your judgment!”

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2 comments:

Bill Winchester said...

Your right paster it must have been hard for Him not to mourn for the death of His wife sometimes it is hard to understand Gods ways but I know everything He does is for our good and please let me always obey Gods plans for my life today whatever they may be.

Stephanie Kaniper said...

Wow - this really made me reflect on my actions throughout my life... just as a parent must use the correct discipline to teach their children about consequences to behavior, our Heavenly Father must deem appropriate judgment to us in the choices we make - even the thoughts in our minds. I have been allowed to experience setbacks so I could learn, I believe, to not judge others (among other things). A few years ago, the lessons were brought to me when I walked in the shoes of those I passed judgment upon... I now am thankful for that (and have certainly learned that I don't want to repeat that fitting judgment, but now am sensitive to those things - so God knew it was necessary for my growth) and know that for God's perfect Will in my life, I must trust Him in all circumstances. Yes - I will leave the judgments to Him and continue to pray to be a blessing to others and ask Him to lead me daily in ways that are pleasing to Him!