Book of Ezekiel - Chapter 24 - Verse 16

In this verse, "Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down," God is speaking to the prophet Ezekiel about the impending loss of his wife. The "desire of thine eyes" refers to Ezekiel's wife, who holds a special place in his heart. God is informing Ezekiel that he will take her away suddenly, without warning. Despite this devastating loss, God instructs Ezekiel not to mourn or weep outwardly, keeping his tears from running down his face. This directive is symbolic of the grief that the Israelites will experience at the destruction of Jerusalem. It serves as a powerful example of how God's messengers are called to remain focused on their divine mission, even in the midst of personal tragedy. By obeying God's command not to mourn openly, Ezekiel demonstrates his commitment to following God's will above all else, no matter the cost.

In this verse, the term "Son of man" is used to address Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and vulnerability. The phrase "I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke" is a powerful way of saying that God will bring sudden and unexpected judgment upon Ezekiel by taking away something or someone that he highly values. This could be interpreted as God taking away Ezekiel's wife in order to make a point. The following statement, "yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down," suggests that Ezekiel is not allowed to mourn or grieve openly for his loss. This could be seen as a form of discipline or a reflection of the gravity of the situation that Ezekiel finds himself in. The theological interpretation of this verse could revolve around themes of obedience, trust, and the sovereignty of God over human emotions and desires.