Ezekiel 24:19

“And the people said unto me, Wilt thou not tell us what these things are to us, that thou doest so?”

Context:The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in the Old Testament. In this particular chapter, Ezekiel receives a message from God concerning the imminent destruction of Jerusalem and the temple because of the Israelites’ persistent rebellion and idolatry.

Setting:At this point, Ezekiel has been living among the exiles in Babylon, and he often acts out symbolic acts to convey God’s messages. In this chapter, Ezekiel’s wife suddenly dies, and God instructs him not to mourn openly but to focus on his prophetic role as a sign to the people.

Mourning and Silence:In verse 17, God commands Ezekiel not to mourn or weep over his wife’s death, which was a significant loss. In verse 19, the people ask Ezekiel why he is acting differently, not mourning openly or sharing the significance of his actions. They want to know the meaning behind his behaviour.

Symbolism and God’s Judgment:God uses Ezekiel’s loss of his wife as a sign or symbol to the people. The lack of mourning reflects the coming judgment and destruction that the people themselves would experience. It serves as a reminder that the Israelites have become so hardened in their sin that they do not realise the gravity of their situation. They are spiritually blind and unable to discern the signs of God’s impending judgment.

Lack of Spiritual Awareness:The people’s question to Ezekiel, “Wilt thou not tell us what these things are to us, that thou doest so?” shows their ignorance and their failure to understand the spiritual significance of Ezekiel’s actions. Despite witnessing Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry and hearing God’s messages through him, they are still in a state of confusion and do not grasp the gravity of the situation.

• Application:The passage challenges us to examine our own spiritual awareness and discernment.