What is the context?
The Lord tells Ezekiel that the desire of his eyes will be taken away, and verse 18 identifies the loss as his wife’s death. Ezekiel is commanded to groan quietly while refraining from the mourning actions listed in the passage. His love and loss are not treated as unimportant.
The people ask what his behavior means for them. The Lord answers by naming what they will lose: His sanctuary, which is the desire of their eyes, and the sons and daughters left behind in Jerusalem. Ezekiel’s personal sorrow becomes a sign of the disaster approaching the community.
They too will groan among themselves while wasting away because of their sins. The explanation makes the connection between the sign and the city’s loss; it does not accuse Ezekiel’s wife of a particular sin or tell us her thoughts during her final day.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Cambridge understands the lack of outward mourning as a picture of people stunned by the severity of Jerusalem’s fall. Wesley emphasizes the restrictions of captivity as an explanation for grief that cannot be openly expressed. The passage itself states the sign and the coming behavior without explaining every circumstance that will prevent ordinary mourning.
Henry draws a broader lesson about grief held together with trust in God. This particular command to Ezekiel should not become a rule that faithful people must never cry: John 11:32–36 describes Jesus weeping at the death of Lazarus.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.