Ezekiel 24:15
"Son of man, behold, I take away from thee
the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet
neither shalt thou mourn nor weep,
neither shall thy tears run down"
This is a clear example of the costs involved in serving God. The names of Isaiah and Hosea's children were signs to all Israel (Is. 7:3; 8:3, 4; Hos. 1:4, 6, 9). Hosea was told to take a wife who would be unfaithful (Hos. 1:2; 3:1). Jeremiah was told not to marry at all (Jer. 16:2). Ezekiel, however faced a test that was even more severe. God took his wife whom he dearly loved ( "the desire of your eyes," Ezek 24:16), and commanded him not to morn (Ezek 24:16,17). This biblical custom is often difficult for us to understand. "Professional mourners" were hired and and all who were in morning wore sackcloth and ashes. They help the people to externalize and cope with their grief. These actions were also regarded as a demonstration of respect for the deceased. In other words, Ezekiel's failure to morn the death of his wife gave to the people the impression that he had no true affection for his wife, when in fact Ezekiel was obeying God's command.
All though this is not a custom that we practice today. It is one of the hardest commands that a person would have to obey from God. So my friends, when God commands you to do something even though others will look at you as "not caring, not interested and not thinking clearly; remember what God gave up for you, "His Son Jesus Christ". Look at it this way. The cost was high for our salvation and union with God; therefore our cost is to obey God No matter what we want or what others might say!! Let's put God first!! Amen!!
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
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