Ezekiel's Bereavement and Its Sign

The word of Yahweh came to Ezekiel with a hard message. God said that the desire of Ezekiel's eyes would be taken away in a single blow. Yet Ezekiel was not to mourn in the usual public ways. He was to sigh quietly, keep his headdress on, wear his sandals, and not eat mourner's bread.

Ezekiel spoke to the people in the morning. By evening, his wife died. In the morning he did what he had been commanded. The people noticed this unusual behaviour and asked what it meant for them.

Then Ezekiel explained the sign. Yahweh said he would profane his sanctuary, which had been the people's pride and the desire of their eyes. The sons and daughters they had left behind would fall by the sword.

The people would do as Ezekiel had done. They would not follow the usual customs of mourning. They would not mourn or weep, but would pine away in their iniquities and moan to one another. Ezekiel's actions were a sign, and when it happened they would know that the Lord Yahweh is God.

God also told Ezekiel that on the day these losses came, an escaped survivor would arrive with the news. Then Ezekiel's mouth would be opened, and he would speak and no longer be mute. In this too, he would be a sign to them, and they would know that Yahweh is the Lord. How does this solemn sign show both sorrow and the certainty of God's word?