Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Ezekiel 24:16. It’s a really powerful and somewhat surprising message about temptation and despair. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse essentially says that God is taking away the desire to do something bad or harmful – specifically, the desire to look at things that are tempting or alluring. But he’s also promising that you won't feel sad or upset about it. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Son of man, behold…” : This is a poetic way of introducing God and setting the stage for something significant. "Son of man" refers to Jesus Christ. “…I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes…” : This is the core of the message. “Desire” means wanting or longing for something. The verse says that God is taking away your desire to do something bad, like lust, evil thoughts, or harmful actions. It’s a removal of that craving. “…with a stroke…” : This is a dramatic way of saying it's a quick and decisive action. It doesn’t feel like a gradual process. “Yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down.” : This is the really important part. It promises you won’t experience negative emotions – sadness, grief, or crying – as a result of this removal. It's saying that God will protect you from the pain and distress caused by your desire. What does it mean practically? This verse speaks to our struggles with temptation, especially when we’re feeling insecure, wanting something more than what we have, or being influenced by negative thoughts. It's a reminder that: God is in control: He’s actively working against harmful desires. We are not alone: Even when we feel like we’re struggling, God offers protection and relief from the pain of temptation. It’s possible to overcome: By acknowledging our desire and focusing on God's love and guidance, we can find a way to move forward without being consumed by negative emotions. In short, it’s a message of hope – that God is working to protect us from harmful desires, even when we feel like we're in trouble. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further with a specific example? Discuss its connection to other Bible passages? Explore the idea of temptation and how it relates to human nature?