Ezekiel 24

< Back to Ezekiel Index

TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Jerusalem’s Last Two Signs of Judgment

Ezekiel chapter 24 marks not only the mid-point of this prophetic book, but also marks the point that Ezekiel’s messages had predicted, that is, the beginning of the ________ of Jerusalem by the _______________ forces.
Verses 1 and 2 verify the date that the Lord gave this message to Ezekiel as the ______ year of Ezekiel’s captivity and more specifically, the month of ______________ in the year _______ BC.
In the parable of the boiling pot, ________________ was the pot and the contents were the ____________ people. The corrosion and scum represented the _______________ of the city.
Who is it that is described in verse 16 as “the desire of your eyes”? Why would the death of “the desire of your eyes” come so quickly?
Why was Ezekiel told not to mourn in the usual, outward way?

Chapter 24 marks the point that Ezekiel’s messages had predicted, that is, the beginning of the siege of the city of Jerusalem by the Babylonian forces.
Verses 1 and 2 verify the date as the 9th year of Ezekiel’s captivity in Babylon, and more specifically, the month of January in the year 588 BC.
In the parable of the boiling pot, Jerusalem was the pot and the contents in the pot were the sinful people. The corrosion of the scum and the pot as it too was burned away, represented the exceeding wickedness of the city.
The “desire of your eyes” refers to the prophet Ezekiel’s wife. As she was taken away in death, so death would come to Jerusalem. Her sudden death (v 18), indicated the imminent destruction of the city and the beautiful Temple of Solomon.
Ezekiel was told by the Lord not to mourn outwardly because his wife’s death (v 22), indicated that when the death and destruction came upon Jerusalem, it would be so horrible and catastrophic and complete, that there would be no customary mourning.

Discuss the responses to recent serious, significant events that would have been good indications that you, your small group or your church really believe in the sovereignty of God. Perhaps the responses instead indicated a weak faith regarding the truth that God is in control of all things. Consider what means you and your friends can use to strengthen your faith in God’s sovereignty.

Do you have an apathetic attitude about the immoral and godless actions of many of the leaders and people of our country? Have you thought seriously about the downward trend of the personal moral standards of many of the individuals who make important state, federal and global decisions? It is time to become informed and to begin to pray specifically that God would bring repentance and/or discipline to individuals and governments before His righteous judgment becomes a reality.

“Therefore says the Lord God: ‘Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give up the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will set my face against them.’” Ezekiel 15:6, 7a