Ezek 24.1-27 is a prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem using an aggadah (parable) of a boiling pot (v 1-14), and another using the sudden death of Ezekiel’s wife (v 15-27). The timing of this prophecy is the very day the king of Babylon began to lay siege to Jerusalem.
v 1…And the word of the Lord (Yehovah) came to me in the ninth year (of Yehoichin’s captivity and Zedekiah’s reign) in the tenth month (Tevet) on the tenth of the month (this was to become a fast day in Zech 8.19; ten is the number of judgment).
v 2…”Son of man (when this is used Ezekiel represents the people; a human being), write the name of this day, this very day (Hebrew “eztem ha yom hazeh” and this is used three times in the Tanak. Once at the flood-Gen 7.13, when they left Egypt-Exo 12.41, and here. It signifies that the world was changing. The Covid-19 virus started world-wide around Tevet 10 and the world changed. Eschatologically this may be the day that Satan comes and surrounds Jerusalem with the nations in Rev 20.7-10 like Nebuchadnezzar).
v 3…And speak a parable to the rebellious house (who were against Yehovah), and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God (Adonai Yehovah); “Put on the pot (get it ready), put it on and also pour water into it (the pot symbolizes Jerusalem);
v 4…put in it pieces (people who were gathered within its walls), every good piece, the thigh and the shoulder (most important pieces); fill it with choice bones (full of marrow= strength, mighty warriors to defend the city).
v 5…Take the choicest of the flock (the king, princes, nobles, priests and rulers), and also pile wood under the pot. Make it boil vigorously. Also seethe its bones in it (in other words, a rounded heap of kindling wood under it for the bones; this was done so that even the strong bones may become weak).
v 6…Therefore, thus says the Lord God, “Woe to the bloody city, to the pot in which there is scum and whose scum has not gone out of it (the unrepentant of the city)! Take out of it piece after piece (slow judgment process), without making a choice (meaning “let no lot fall upon it” meaning none would be spared, all were destined to judgment).
v 7…For her blood is in her midst (open murder); she placed it on the bare rock (where it could not soak into the earth; they did not even try to hide it); she did not pour it on the ground (to hide it), to cover it with dust -Lev 17.13).
v 8…That it may cause wrath to come up to take vengeance, I have put her blood on a rock, that it may not be covered (her sin was open, so will her judgment).
v 9…Therefore, thus says the Lord God, “Woe to the bloody city! I also shall make the pile great (will keep the pot of judgment boiling).
v 10…Heap on the wood, kindle the fire, boil the flesh well, and mix in the spices (severe sufferings are coming and the appetite will be sharpened), and let the bones be burned (cooked thoroughly).
v 11…Then set it empty on its coals (after all the pieces/people are burned up) so that it may be hot, and its bronze glow, and its filthiness may be melted in it, its scum consumed (the city will be burned and purified).
v 12…She has wearied herself with toil (the pot has exhausted her efforts), yet her scum has not gone from her (she remained hardened, it is ingrained wickedness), her scum shall be in the fire (only by the total destruction of Jerusalem could its wickedness be destroyed).
v 13…In your filthiness is lewdness, because I have purged you (through the prophets), yet you are not clean (all efforts to save them were met with no effect), you will not be cleansed from your filthiness again (anymore), until I have spent my wrath on you (the only thing left to do, no other way).
v 14…I, the Lord (Yehovah), have spoken; it is coming and I shall not relent (change his course), and I shall not pity, and I shall not be sorry; according to your ways and according to your deeds I shall judge you,” declares the Lord God.
v 16…”Son of man (human being representing the people), behold (take note and see), I am about to take from you the desire of your eyes (his wife) with a blow (die suddenly); but you shall not mourn, and you shall not weep, and your tears shall not come (he was to abstain from every show of emotion and mourning).
v 17…Groan silently; make no mention for the dead on your feet, and do not cover your moustache, and do not eat the bread of men (people would send food to those who lost a loved one. Ezekiel was given the blueprint on how the people were to act concerning the destruction of the city and the Temple; do not mourn, but they turned this event into mourning fast days in Zech 8.19).”
v 18…So I spoke to the people in the morning and in the evening my wife died. And in the morning I did as I was commanded (and did not mourn).
v 19…And the people said to me, “Will you not tell us what these things that you are doing mean for us?”
v 20…Then I said to them, “The word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Speak to the house of Israel, “Thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold (see), I am about to profane my sanctuary (Temple), the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes and the delight of your soul (as a man holds his wife); and your sons and your daughters whom you have left behind will fall by the sword.
v 22…And you will do as I have done (no mourning, restrain their grief); and you will not cover your moustache, and you will not eat the bread of men.
v 23…And your turbans will be on your heads and your shoes on your feet. You will not mourn, and you will not weep; but you will rot away in your iniquities, and you will groan to one another (worry about your sin which caused this, no time for grief; the dead will not be buried, etc.).
v 24…Thus Ezekiel will be a sign (signal of what to do) to you; according to all that he has done you will do; when it comes, then you will know that I am the Lord God (as proof that what I said was true).'”
v 25…As for you, son of man, will it not be on the day when I take from them their stronghold (the Temple, the same word for “fortress” in Dan 11.37-39), the joy of their pride, the desire of their eyes, and their heart’s delight, the sons and their daughters,
v 26…that on that day he who escapes will come to you with information for your ears (some will escape and tell Ezekiel in Babylon all the details of what happened and how it all came about exactly as Ezekiel had seen in his prophecies)?
v 27…On that day your mouth will be opened to him who escaped, and you will speak and be dumb no longer (he can speak for himself because the time period for silence was over). Thus you will be a sign (to follow) to them, and they will know that I am the Lord (proof that Yehovah had spoken to him; they will be amazed at how accurate he was. This will conclude the judgment of Israel for now).
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