Such Difficult Instructions

Scripture: "Son of man, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you with a fatal blow. But you must not lament or weep or let your tears flow. Groan quietly; do not observe mourning rites for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners." I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. The next morning I did just as I was commanded. Ezekiel 24:16-18

Observation: The Lord gives Ezekiel this information and this instruction ... tomorrow, the Lord is going to kill Ezekiel's wife, and he is not to publicly mourn her. He may be sad internally, but externally he must act as if nothing of consequence has happened, and this will be used as a sign for the rest of the Jews about how they are to act with Jerusalem is destroyed.

How impossibly difficult must this have been! Ezekiel - and likewise many of the other great prophets - has been ordered to do many difficult things, and to deliver tough messages. However, to be ordered to behave 'normal' upon the death of your own wife, and then to simply deliver the message to everyone that this is basically symbolism ... this seems beyond the norm. That said, Ezekiel does it and obeys the Lord, behaving exactly as the Lord required.

Application: I cannot imagine this, being ordered to act as if the death of my wife is meaningless in my daily life. My wife is truly the delight of my entire life, and if I someday do survive her passing it will be the worst and most devastating day of my life. I could never act 'normal' ever again, I feel.

This likely shows how poor of a disciple I truly am ... that there are scenarios in which I could not imagine successful obedience.

Prayer: Lord, I am such a weak believer. Please forgive my weakness. Amen.