Tuesday, August 23, 2011

No outward expressions


Imagine God asking you the following -
I am about to take away your dearest treasure, but do not show any mourning or sorrow.

Ezekiel was told that God was about to do this to him. He was going to take his wife in death to show the people of Israel. He instructed Ezekiel to show no outward emotions in the loss, no tears, don't cover your head and don't take off your sandals and not to do any of the normal rituals in mourning. Ezekiel was to groan silently!

Ezekiel's wife was sign to Israel. Terrible things were going to happen and they were not to mourn their families. Ezekiel was obedient and submissive to God's will. Ezekiel was such an example of obedience. A heartbreaking example or do you think they paid attention to his loss or were they only worried with their own? A people that had continually disobeyed God's instructions, did they notice Ezekiel? Reading this morning, it kept going through my mind did Ezekiel suffer so much loss and nobody ever noticed him? Did anyone realize what Ezekiel was doing in obedience to God? Did they think he was crazy and just ignore him? Did anybody understand Ezekiel's testimony?

Ezekiel's wife was described as "the desire of his eye", his "boast", and his "delight." Imagine, not being able to mourn the loss of your delight. Your joy, your mate, but knowing deep inside that God saw your obedience and that one day you would be rewarded by Him!

Sweet blessings,
Debbie

1 comment:

Frankie said...

I think that those who did not have "eyes to see and ears to hear" thought Ezekiel was crazy. Just as when Jesus taught in parables. Those who thought Jesus was talking crazy didn't have "ears to hear and eyes to see" that it was the Messiah talking to them.

Yes, rewarded by God!