Ezekiel 24:17

Forbeare to crie, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head vpon thee, and put on thy shooes vpon thy feete, and couer not thy lips, and eate not the bread of men. Ezekiel 24:17 (KJV)

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” This well‑known declaration comes from Psalm 23:1 (KJV) and expresses a deep trust in God’s provision and guidance. In contrast, Ezekiel 24:17 (KJV) records a specific command given to the prophet concerning the death of his wife: “Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men.” The context emphasizes that the people of Israel were to refrain from outward signs of grief, symbolizing that the nation’s future would be marked by a loss of hope and the inability to mourn in the usual way. The passage underscores that the instruction is separate from the comforting promise of Psalm 23, highlighting that the two scriptures address different circumstances—one a declaration of confidence in the Shepherd, the other a divine directive to withhold traditional mourning as a prophetic sign.

The brief statement “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” appears in both DRAFT 2 and DRAFT 3, reinforcing the central truth of God’s care. While the Psalm assures believers of continual provision, Ezekiel’s command illustrates how God sometimes calls His people to a counter‑cultural response that points to a larger divine purpose beyond personal comfort. Both passages, though distinct, invite the reader to consider how trust in God can coexist with obedience to His specific, sometimes unsettling, instructions.