Kill my wife?

This morning while reading Ezekiel 24 I read once again about Ezekiel’s wife’s death. This passage disturbs me like none other. As I read I understood that God allows his wife to die as an example. God told Ezekiel that He would remove his delight and not to morn, not to cover his face, not to eat the food his friends would bring by the house. God’s purpose was to show the Israelite people His glory and power and how they will react when he brings judgment on them.
I just don’t understand. Why would God kill Ezekiel’s wife? This poor guy served God with passion and zeal. He never gave up even though the people didn’t listen nor respond. He was a man who followed God completely. It seems unfair for him to suffer this kind of loss for a sermon illustration.
As I prayed through this several things came to my mind. First, I am an example for the Lord to use. He has the rights over my life and my relationships. God is not mean or cruel. Even when I don’t understand what He is doing I still must trust His character. Ezekiel became real to me. So many times I read the bible and miss the people of the bible. I read to understand academically or for some hidden truth and I miss the real people who contented with a Holy God. My pursuit of God become real when I see the lives of those who went before me.
Other than these reflections I have no answers. All I really understand is that life is hard and God is good. What do you think?