Dearest Treasures Removed

O. T. #1908  "Dearest Treasures Remove"

March 24, 2021

Ezekiel 24-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork. (Psalm 19:1)

The statues of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (Psalm 19: 8,10)

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Ps. 19:14)

LET IT GROW

Ezekiel told the exiled Jews in Babylon of the coming destruction of their city, Jerusalem. A messenger that escaped would come a couple of years later to Ezekiel to report this happened. (33:21) The prophet was to remain silent until the new captives arrived, for judgment had come. Then he could speak of Judah. (3:26,27) That would be hard enough to swallow, the sad news, but a personal sorrow was coming to Ezekiel.

J. Vernon McGee had this to say about the rest of this chapter:

Apparently, the prophet had married a lovely, young Israelite girl, and they loved each other. But down there in captivity, she became sick and died. I imagine it was a heartbreak to Ezekiel, but again he must act a part.

With one blow I will take away your dearest treasure. Yet you must not show any sorrow at her death. do not weep; let there be no tears. (verse 16, NLT)

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. (verse 17)

What were the instructions from God to Ezekiel, which was a visual aide for the other captives?

• As Ezekiel's wife died, he was to groan silently, but not wail at her grave.
• He was not to uncover his head nor take off his sandals.
• Ezekiel was told to not perform the usual rituals of mourning or accept any food brought to him by consoling friends. (verse 17)
• He was to bind the tire (an embellishment; fancy headdress) upon his head. (Jews would cover themselves in dust and ashes to show their mourning state.

What an extremely difficult command from God for the prophet to obey wholeheartedly! He was to act like he was not mourning at all. Well, you know Ezekiel obeyed such an unusual instruction.

The people came to Ezekiel and asked what in the world it mean. His wife was dead and the prophet was not even mourning. What kind of man was he? What was he trying to tell them?

Ezekiel explained in verse 20:

• The Lord God told me to give this message to the people of Israel.
• God will defile His Temple, the source of your security and pride, the place of your heart delights in.
• Your sons and daughters whom you left behind in Judea will be slaughtered by the sword.
• Then you will do as Ezekiel has done.
• You will not mourn or weep, but you will waste away because of your sins.
• You will mourn privately for all the evil you have done.
• Ezekiel is your example for you; you will do just as he has done.
• And when the time comes, you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD. (NLT)

Lastly, God told Ezekiel that He takes away their stronghold-their joy and glory, their heat's desire, their dearest treasure, and their children. When the messenger comes to report about Jerusalem's fall, then the prophet would be able to speak. He would be a symbol to the people.

Jerusalem was God's beloved city and the Temple was His house. The Jews were to be His witness to the world, but Israel failed. There was no use in the weeping and howling to Him now. God took responsibility for all of this happening to His people. If the people had an argument with Ezekiel's messages, they were to take it to the Lord. However, God's ways are right and their ways were wrong.

The people got the message; the remnant had to repent of their sins and surrender to God, loving Him above all, including idols. He would use them to rebuild all in Israel, later on. Is God first place in our life? Or does He have to remove something dear to us in order for Him to be?D

LET IT GO

What or whom is our dearest treasure? Is it God?

Are we willing to serve God as completely as Ezekiel did?

Do we speak of God's message of redemption in Jesus Christ to unbelievers?

Are we faithfully worshiping and serving, loving and praising, thanking and surrendering to the will of God in our lives?