In today’s YouTube video, I share a story from my time as a speaker at a small gathering of ministry leaders in Kansas. The speaker before me was an inventor with several patents on medical equipment, but he was also an alcoholic.
At one of the lowest points in his life, he decided to end it all. While in California, he walked to a high bridge, intending to jump.
Just before he did, God spoke to him, saying, “Give your life to me.” At that moment, he stopped, found the nearest AA hall, got sober, and later joined Calvary Chapel. Today, he is a vibrant servant of the Lord.
This story reflects what was happening with the people of God in Ezekiel’s time. They had reached a low point, and it was also a time of deep struggle for Ezekiel. The low point came before God was able to give them hope.
The Death of Ezekiel’s Wife
Ezekiel was a sign prophet, meaning he didn’t just use words to convey God’s message—he also lived it out through his actions. For example, he built a model of Jerusalem with siege works against it and lay on his side for an extended period as symbolic acts.
The most painful sign of all, however, was the death of his wife. God instructed him not to mourn for his beloved partner, using this personal tragedy as a profound and challenging message to the people.
The word of the Lord came to me:
Mortal, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes, yet you shall not mourn or weep nor shall your tears run down.
Sigh, but not aloud; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban, and put your sandals on your feet; do not cover your upper lip or eat the bread of mourners.
So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died. And the next morning I did as I was commanded (Ezekiel 24.15-18).
A friend of mine often says that hitting rock bottom during his addiction was both the worst day and the best day of his life.
In some ways, this parallels Ezekiel’s experience. The death of his wife was undoubtedly the worst day of his life, but it marked a turning point.
From that moment on, the book of Ezekiel shifts its focus to God’s message of hope for His people. This is why God commanded Ezekiel not to mourn her death—it symbolized a deeper purpose and a promise of restoration.
Ezekiel Explains
In Ezekiel’s time, common signs of mourning included uncovering the head, possibly shaving one’s hair, removing shoes, and altering eating habits. However, Ezekiel did none of these customary actions, leaving those who knew him curious about the meaning behind his behavior.
Then the people said to me, “Will you not tell us what these things mean for us, that you are acting this way?”
Then I said to them: The word of the Lord came to me:
Say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: I will profane my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the desire of your heart; and your sons and your daughters whom you left behind shall fall by the sword.
And you shall do as I have done; you shall not cover your upper lip or eat the bread of mourners.
Your turbans shall be on your heads and your sandals on your feet; you shall not mourn or weep, but you shall pine away in your iniquities and groan to one another.
Thus Ezekiel shall be to you a sign; you shall do just as he has done; when this comes, then you shall know that I am the Lord God (Ezekiel 24.19-24).
The death of Ezekiel’s wife was a deeply traumatic event. God used this personal tragedy to illustrate the profound grief that God’s people were destined to experience.
The sanctuary, once the pride of their strength and a source of beautiful delight as described in the Psalms, would be desecrated by invading pagan armies.
Furthermore, the devastation would extend beyond the sanctuary. The children remaining in Jerusalem would face death at the hands of the Babylonians, amplifying the sorrow and loss.
Many of my friends in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction have shared stories of the opportunities they had to overcome their struggles. Whether it was time spent in jail, a treatment program, or a strong push to get sober, these moments offered them chances to turn their lives around.
Yet, many ignored those opportunities, continuing down a destructive path until they hit rock bottom—finally becoming willing to confront their addiction.
Similarly, the people of Jerusalem were given countless opportunities to repent. They chose to ignore them, and now God was bringing them to their rock bottom, creating a place where they could finally turn to Him in hope.
The Turning Point
It took over a year for a messenger to escape Jerusalem and travel to Babylon to deliver the news that Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed the city. This destruction occurred in 586 BC.
And you, mortal, on the day when I take from them their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes and their heart’s affection, and also their sons and their daughters, on that day, one who has escaped will come to you to report to you the news.
On that day your mouth shall be opened to the one who has escaped, and you shall speak and no longer be silent. So you shall be a sign to them, and they shall know that I am the Lord (Ezekiel 24.25-27).
The announcement of Jerusalem’s destruction marks a significant turning point in Ezekiel’s message. The following chapters will focus on God’s judgment against the nations surrounding Judah.
Following the judgment of the nations, the rest of Ezekiel’s message shifts to one of hope, focusing on the renewal of God’s people.
Reflections:
The world is a troubling place, and world leaders often seem unable to find effective solutions for humanity’s challenges. While they excel at tearing things down with rockets and bombs, they struggle to build constructively for the good of others.
So, what can we do?
First, we can pray. Prayer is a powerful tool, and I encourage you to pray for our leaders, asking God to guide them toward wise and just decisions.
Second, we can repent. The prophets consistently call us to turn away from idolatry and the oppression of the vulnerable, urging us to live according to God’s standards of righteousness and justice.
Let us take these steps together, seeking God’s direction for ourselves and the world.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, Rus Wismer, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It’s on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 