Day 61

Ezekiel contains some of the most complex prophecy in the entire Bible. It's a book that has confounded and intrigued readers throughout all the ages. I believe this is in part due to the prophets dramatic style. God would not let him speak but only act out prophesy through charades.

But look at what happens in chapter 24. God tells Ezekiel that he will kill his wife and forbids Ezekiel to mourn her death. 

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. Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men. So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded. (vv. 16-18)

This is a radical and intense sign to Israel in their captivity. And for some the point is not so clear. But the point God is making is this: Just as Ezekiel did not mourn the loss of his wife, neither will God mourn the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Though the people will be pierced through with sorrow, God will not be stirred to weep.

As we have read, God does not delight in the death of the wicked, but neither does he lament the wicked in their destruction. Our sin is a grievous offense to the living God. There is absolutely nothing we can do to make it right. But in Jesus Christ is found everything necessary for restored relationship with God.

Are you looking for a way to defeat sin? You won't find it. The only solution is Jesus Christ. He will not be effective in our lives until we stop trying to please God and rest in his Son. Then He will work in us and through us to defeat our sin. He will radically transform us, redeem us, and take us. Then our hope will be for the living God and we will no longer desire to be taken captive by the sinful desires of our wicked hearts.

Hoping in Christ,

Jay Silvas