Ezekiel Chapter 24

That way you’ll know I’m the Lord Yahveh.’”           Ezek 23:43-49

The Cooking Pot

1 The tenth day, tenth month, ninth year, a message from Yahveh came to me:

2 “Son of man, write down the date. The king of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem today. 3 Tell the rebellious people a parable, ‘The Lord Yahveh says,

                  “Put a pot on and pour water in it;

                  4 put good pieces in it,

                  thigh and shoulder;

                  fill it with choice bones.

            5 Take the best of the flock,

                  and put wood under the pot.

                  Boil it hard;

                  seethe its bones with the meat.”                          

Ezek 24:1-5

            6 ‘The Lord Yahveh says,

                  “Misfortune awaits the bloody city;

                  it awaits the rusty pot!

                  Take out piece after piece

                        without choosing which ones.

            7 The blood she shed is in her;

                  she put it on a bare rock;

                  she didn’t pour it on the ground

                        and cover it with dirt.

            8 To cause anger to rise up

                        and take revenge,

                  I’ve put her blood on a bare rock

                        so it won’t be covered.”

Ezek 24:6-8

            9 ‘So the Lord Yahveh says,

                           “Misfortune awaits the bloody city!

                  I’ll make it a big pile.

            10 Pile on the wood, kindle the fire,

                  boil the meat well,

                  mix in the spices,

                  burn the bones.

            11 Then set it empty on its coals

                  To get it hot

                  so its bronze will glow,

                  its dross will dissolve,

                  its rust burn off.

            12 I’ve worked hard for nothing,

                  because its extreme rust isn’t gone;

                  let it rust in the fire!                                             

Ezek 24:9-12

            13 In your filthiness is lewdness;

                  I wanted to clean you up,

                        but you didn’t want to be clean.

                  You won’t be clean from your filthiness,

                        till I’ve spent my wrath on you.

14 I Yahveh have said it; it’s coming, I’ll do it. I won’t hold back, I won’t pity or be sorry. I’ll judge you according to your ways and deeds.”’”       

Ezek 24:13-14

Ezekiel’s Wife Dies

15 A message from Yahveh came to me:

16 “Son of man, I’m about to take away the delight of your eyes in one stroke, but don’t mourn or cry or shed tears. 17 Groan silently; don’t perform ritual mourning for the dead. Wrap your turban on, put your shoes on, don’t cover your mouth in sorrow, or eat the bread of mourning.”

Ezek 24:15-17

18 I told the people about it in the morning; that evening my wife died. The next morning I did what God told me.

19 The people said, “Won’t you tell us what you’re doing means for us?”

20 I told them,

“A message from Yahveh came to me, 21 ‘Tell Israel, “I’m about to profane my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes and soul. The children you’ve left behind will fall by the sword. 22 Do what I’ve done. Don’t cover your mouth in sorrow or eat the bread of mourning. 23 Put your turbans on your heads and your shoes on your feet. Don’t mourn or weep, but pine away in your sins and groan to one another. 24 Follow Ezekiel’s example. When it comes, you’ll know I’m the Lord Yahveh.”’    

Ezek 24:18-24

25 “Son of man, won’t that be when I take their fortresses away from them, their pride and joy, the delight of their eyes, their heart’s desire, their children— 26 when somebody escapes and comes to you with the news? 27 Then you can speak to the one that escaped. You’ll be a sign to them. They’ll know I’m Yahveh.”                                 

From the CYV translation by Virgil Warren, PhD