Have you ever experienced a moment when reality hits hard, prompting a deep reflection on your actions?
God often uses vivid illustrations to capture our attention and call us to repentance, just as He did with the people of Israel through the prophet Ezekiel.
Key Verse: “In your filthiness is lewdness. Because I have cleansed you, and you were not cleansed, you will not be cleansed of your filthiness anymore till I have caused My fury to rest upon you.” – Ezekiel 24:13 (NKJV)
Background Context: In Ezekiel 24, God commands Ezekiel to deliver a parable to the rebellious house of Israel. The parable of the boiling pot serves as a powerful metaphor for the impending judgment on Jerusalem due to the people’s persistent sins and refusal to repent.
(Summarized and continued after scripture)
Parable of the Boiling Pot
1And the word of the LORD came to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth of the month, saying, 2“Son of man, write the name of the day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.
3“Speak a parable to the rebellious house and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,
“Put on the pot, put it on and also pour water in it;
4Put in it the pieces,
Every good piece, the thigh and the shoulder;
Fill it with choice bones.
5“Take the choicest of the flock,
And also pile wood under the pot.
Make it boil vigorously.
Also seethe its bones in it.”
6‘Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD,
“Woe to the bloody city,
To the pot in which there is rust
And whose rust has not gone out of it!
Take out of it piece after piece,
Without making a choice.
7“For her blood is in her midst;
She placed it on the bare rock;
She did not pour it on the ground
To cover it with dust.
8“That it may cause wrath to come up to take vengeance,
I have put her blood on the bare rock,
That it may not be covered.”
9‘Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD,
“Woe to the bloody city!
I also will make the pile great.
10“Heap on the wood, kindle the fire,
Boil the flesh well
And mix in the spices,
And let the bones be burned.
11“Then set it empty on its coals
So that it may be hot
And its bronze may glow
And its filthiness may be melted in it,
Its rust consumed.
12“She has wearied Me with toil,
Yet her great rust has not gone from her;
Let her rust be in the fire!
13“In your filthiness is lewdness.
Because I would have cleansed you,
Yet you are not clean,
You will not be cleansed from your filthiness again
Until I have spent My wrath on you.
14“I, the LORD, have spoken; it is coming and I will act. I will not relent, and I will not pity and I will not be sorry; according to your ways and according to your deeds I will judge you,” declares the Lord GOD.’”
Death of Ezekiel’s Wife Is a Sign
15And the word of the LORD came to me saying, 16“Son of man, behold, I am about to take from you the desire of your eyes with a blow; but you shall not mourn and you shall not weep, and your tears shall not come. 17“Groan silently; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban and put your shoes on your feet, and do not cover your mustache and do not eat the bread of men.” 18So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And in the morning I did as I was commanded. 19The people said to me, “Will you not tell us what these things that you are doing mean for us?” 20Then I said to them, “The word of the LORD came to me saying, 21‘Speak to the house of Israel, “Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I am about to profane My sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes and the delight of your soul; and your sons and your daughters whom you have left behind will fall by the sword. 22‘You will do as I have done; you will not cover your mustache and you will not eat the bread of men. 23‘Your turbans will be on your heads and your shoes on your feet. You will not mourn and you will not weep, but you will rot away in your iniquities and you will groan to one another. 24‘Thus Ezekiel will be a sign to you; according to all that he has done you will do; when it comes, then you will know that I am the Lord GOD.’”
25‘As for you, son of man, will it not be on the day when I take from them their stronghold, the joy of their pride, the desire of their eyes and their heart’s delight, their sons and their daughters, 26that on that day he who escapes will come to you with information for your ears? 27‘On that day your mouth will be opened to him who escaped, and you will speak and be mute no longer. Thus you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD.’”
Reflection on Ezekiel 24:
- The Boiling Pot: God instructs Ezekiel to set a pot on the fire, fill it with choice pieces of meat, and boil it. This symbolizes Jerusalem, filled with its inhabitants and their corruption (Ezekiel 24:3-5). The boiling pot represents the intense judgment coming upon the city due to its sins.
- Scum and Corruption: As the pot boils, scum (or rust) accumulates, representing the persistent impurities and wickedness of the people. God declares that the pot will not be cleansed until all its contents are burned away (Ezekiel 24:6-12). This highlights the severity of their sin and the need for thorough purification.
- The Death of Ezekiel’s Wife: In a personal and painful illustration, God informs Ezekiel that his wife will die suddenly, and he is not to mourn openly (Ezekiel 24:15-18). This symbolizes the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the people’s inability to mourn properly due to the overwhelming calamity.
- A Sign to the People: Ezekiel’s actions and the parable serve as a sign to the people of Israel. Despite the severe judgment, God’s desire is for them to recognize their sin, repent, and turn back to Him (Ezekiel 24:24-27).
Summary Key Points:
- Judgment for Sin: The boiling pot symbolizes the intense judgment due to persistent sin.
- Need for Purification: The scum represents the deep-seated corruption that must be cleansed.
- Call to Repentance: God uses vivid illustrations to prompt sincere repentance and return to Him.
Application: Let us examine our lives for any persistent sins or areas where we need God’s cleansing. May we respond to His call for repentance with sincerity and humility. God’s desire is for us to turn away from our sins and seek His forgiveness and restoration.
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging our sins and our need for Your cleansing power. Just as You called Israel to repentance, we ask that You reveal any areas in our lives that need purification. Help us to turn away from our sins and seek Your forgiveness. Restore us, O Lord, and make us vessels of honor for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This devotional challenges us to reflect on our own lives and heed God’s call to repentance, seeking His cleansing and restoration.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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