The Boiling Pot of Judgment
24 1 In the ninth year, tenth month, tenth day, the word of our Father came to me:
2 Son of man, record this day's name, this very day. Babylon's king laid siege to Jerusalem this very day. 3 Speak a parable to the rebellious house: This is what the Sovereign Father says: Set the pot on, pour water in. 4 Put in the pieces, every good piece, the thigh and the shoulder; fill it with the choicest bones. 5 Take the choicest of the flock, and pile the logs beneath it; bring it to a boil, and cook its bones in it.
6 So says the Sovereign Father: Woe to the city of bloodshed, the pot whose corrosion is in it, whose corrosion has not left it! Take it out piece by piece; no lot was cast for it. a a v6 Lots were drawn to make selections; here no lot is cast — every piece comes out indiscriminately, picturing total judgment on Jerusalem. 7 For her blood is in her midst; she set it on the bare rock. She did not pour it on the ground to cover it with dust. 8 To stir up wrath and bring justice, I have set her blood on the bare rock, so that it would not be covered.
9 So the Sovereign Father says: Woe to the city of bloodshed! I too will pile the wood high. 10 Heap on the wood, kindle the fire, cook the meat through, mix in the spices, and let the bones be charred. 11 Then set the empty pot on its coals so that it grows hot and its copper glows, that its impurity may be melted within it and its corrosion consumed. 12 She has worn herself out with toil, yet her heavy corrosion will not leave her; her corrosion remains even in the fire. 13 Your impurity is your shameful behavior. Because I tried to cleanse you and you would not be cleansed, you will not be clean again until I have satisfied my fury against you. 14 I, your Father, have spoken. It is coming, and I will act. I will not hold back, I will not spare, and I will not relent. They will judge you according to your ways and your deeds, declares the Sovereign Father.
The Father Takes Ezekiel's Wife
15 The word of our Father came to me:
16 Son of man, with one blow I am taking the delight of your eyes from you. Yet do not mourn or weep, and let no tears fall. b b v16 The death of Ezekiel's wife became a living sign: his forbidden grief mirrored the unspeakable loss Israel would feel when the temple fell. 17 Groan quietly; don't mourn the dead. Keep your turban on and sandals on your feet; don't cover your lips or eat mourners' bread.
18 I spoke to the people that morning; that evening my wife died. Next morning I did as commanded.
19 Then the people asked me, Won't you tell us what these things mean for us—why you're acting this way?
20 So I said to them, The word of our Father came to me: 21 Say to the house of Israel: The Sovereign Father says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary, the pride of your strength, the delight of your eyes, the longing of your soul; and the sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword. 22 You will do as I have done: not cover your lips or eat the mourners' bread. 23 Your turbans will stay on your heads and sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep, but waste away in your sins and groan to one another. 24 So Ezekiel is a sign to you; you will do all he did. When it comes, you will know I am the Sovereign Father.
25 And you, son of man—on the day I take from them their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes, their heart's longing, and their sons and daughters, 26 on that day a fugitive will come to you to bring you the news. 27 That day, when the escapee arrives, your mouth will open; you will speak and be silent no more. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know I am your Father.
