In chapter 24:1-14 the boiling caldron is symbolic
of the destruction of Jerusalem. Verses 15-27 record
the death of Ezekiel’s wife. She died the day the siege
of Jerusalem began and God commanded Ezekiel not to
mourn over her. As death dissolved the union between
the prophet and his beloved wife, so the relationship
between the Lord and Jerusalem was to be dissolved so
that destruction would follow. This is an object lesson
to the exiles (verses 19-24). The day the news of
Jerusalem’s destruction arrived, Ezekiel’s tongue would
be loosed for a new message (verses 25-27).

Chapter 25 records prophecies against various
nations. Ezekiel 25–32 corresponds with Isaiah 13–23
and Jeremiah 46–51. Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia
were Judah’s closest neighbors, who rejoiced at Judah’s
destruction by Babylon. Ezekiel predicts the same fate
for them. Nebuchadnezzar did, in fact, subdue the
Philistines when he took Judah, and four years later he
invaded Ammon, Moab, and Edom.

Chapter 26 records the prophecy of Tyre’s
destruction. The judgment is announced in verses 1-6.
Tyre was judged because of its refusal to help its
ally, Jerusalem, and because of its pride as the chief
Phoenican sea market. We have the record of the
judgment being executed in verses 7-21. Tyre was
defeated in 572 b.c., and chapter 27 records the lament
over Tyre. The lament would be made by Tyre’s
commercial neighbors. This commercial empire of Tyre is
fittingly described as a goodly merchant vessel (verse
3), “perfect in beauty.” Destruction of the ship was
carried out by “the east wind” (verse 26), who is
Nebuchadnezzar.