Ezekiel 24:25

Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their daughters,

Ezekiel 24:25 (KJV)

Context

In Ezekiel 24, God announces the coming destruction of Jerusalem because of the people’s rebellion and idolatry. Earlier, God tells Ezekiel that he will take away “the desire of his eyes” (Ezekiel 24:16)—his wife—with a fatal blow, and Ezekiel is commanded not to mourn publicly. This personal sign foreshadows the greater national loss described in verse 25.

Meaning

Here the Lord declares a future day when He will remove what the people most cherish. He will take away their strength, often understood as the stronghold of the city or temple, and the “joy of their glory,” their pride and self-assurance. The “desire of their eyes” denotes their prized possessions and idols, and “that whereupon they set their minds” indicates their misplaced affections. Finally, God warns that He will take away their sons and daughters, signifying loss through death, captivity, or separation.

Biblical connections

The purpose of this judgment is that the people would “know that I am the Lord GOD” (Ezekiel 24:24, 27). The verse highlights the seriousness of sin and the certainty of divine judgment, but also God’s ultimate sovereignty. The people’s misplaced affections would be stripped away so that they might recognize Him.

Application

Ezekiel 24:25 is a solemn warning: turning away from God and pursuing worldly desires leads to severe consequences. The passage calls the people to repentance and renewed trust in God rather than in fleeting earthly securities. It also demonstrates that God’s judgments are purposeful and redemptive, leading to a knowledge of His lordship.

Reflection

This verse is not primarily about individual suffering but about corporate judgment and the demonstration of God’s holiness. It serves as a sobering reminder that God will remove idols, even those most cherished, to bring His people to recognition of Him.