This chapter is about Tyre, the city / nation over which destruction was prophesied in the last chapter. The first two thirds describe the wealth and connectedness of this trade nation, and the final third laments over its destruction.
“At the sound of the cry of your pilots the countryside shakes, and down from their ships come all who handle the oar. The mariners and all the pilots of the sea stand on the land and shout aloud over you and cry out bitterly. They cast dust on their heads and wallow in ashes; they make themselves bald for you and put sackcloth on their waist, and they weep over you in bitterness of soul, with bitter mourning. In their wailing they raise a lamentation for you and lament over you: ‘Who is like Tyre, like one destroyed in the midst of the sea?’ ” (v28-32)
Remember how we talked about not celebrating the ill circumstances of those who ‘get what’s coming to them’? Well, God instructs Ezekiel to go one step further, lamenting / mourning for / with them as well.
Do we mourn with those who mourn, and do our hearts break over the suffering of others? God mourns with those who mourn – this was notably seen through Jesus who wept with His friends at the loss of Lazarus, and was physically present with people in their struggles.
One of the beatitudes states “blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”. God is a comforter and mourner, He does not celebrate suffering (for suffering is a result of sin and its consequences). He also invites us into the lives of others who are suffering, so we can support and love them as Jesus would. If our hearts don’t lament / mourn with and for others, then we may want to draw closer to God, because our hearts are likely out of alignment with His.
Father God, our Compassionate Caregiver and Generous Provider, You grant us Your indwelling Spirit and Son to stand with us in our suffering. Thank you for mourning and suffering alongside us. Thank you as well for granting us the understanding to support others who are suffering. May we mourn with those who mourn, and comfort those in struggle, loving them as an extension of Jesus. May we do these things in Your name, bringing You the honor and glory, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training