Today we begin a new book of prophecy, and I’m pretty excited! In Ezekiel it speaks of the possibility of the “third temple period”, and I am looking forward to considering that.
By way of introducing the book, Ezekiel’s period of prophecy overlaps that of Jeremiah. While Jeremiah stays in Jerusalem after the eventual fall, Ezekiel travels with the first group of Judean exiles to Babylon. His ministry begins in Babylon, 5 years into Zedekiah’s reign. (Jeconiah was the young king who reigned for 3 months, and was replaced by Zedekiah, Judah’s last king). So, all of Ezekiel’s ministry was speaking to exiled people in Babylon, but for quite a period the temple was still standing in Jerusalem. It wasn’t razed until Zedekiah’s reign ended. A third group of exiles would show up in Babylon after the temple fell.
In the first chapter there is a powerful image of the glory of God. I won’t begin to speculate on what each part of the vision means, but suffice it to say that it does have meaning. I was thinking that the flashes of lightning and the four beings were the very presence of God, but God is clearly above these beings, who appear created. Ezekiel is going to be required to do some pretty difficult things, and I guess that they will be easier to do now that he has had a clear vision of God speaking to him. If we could be as sure as Ezekiel was about the presence and majesty of God, is there anything we wouldn’t do? It’s our doubt and disbelief that hinder us….Ezekiel no longer has that.
In the second chapter (very short!) God gives Ezekiel his commission. There is no doubt in Ezekiel’s mind that he is sent, and he also knows to expect that most of the people will not listen.
The third chapter has some great lessons for me.
1. we open our mouth, and God feeds us His Word. God’s Word is sweet, and unlike candy it’s nutritious…like honey.
2. I must receive the Word myself before I have anything to share with others. (also in verse 10)
3. God has a purpose for people whose heads are “hard as rock”. Apparently being stubborn, or determined, or strong willed…(whatever) can be useful to God.
4. I don’t think Ezekiel was excited about sharing his message…who would be? It was a message of gloom and despair. Most of us would rather not be the person who rebukes someone else. In fact, if we liked doing it, we probably wouldn’t be qualified….
5. 3:16-22 tells me several things: If I don’t speak when told to, I am guilty of sin…and I might even “inherit” the sins of those whom I was supposed to warn. It also points out that we can be forgiven (wicked listen and become righteous), and the reverse (righteous ignore God and become wicked). This should put an end to the conversation about whether or not we can fall from grace. If the righteous can ignore God and become unrighteous (that’s what this says) then the doctrine of “eternal security” is false. God will never “lose” us, but we can walk away from Him….although I can’t imagine why we would want to.
Chapter 4 !
Lying on your left side for over a year is an unusual way to prophecy. If I was going to protest, I think I might have protested being tied to the ground on my side for a year before I complained about what type of dung to use as fuel. But this just shows Ezekiel’s heart….he isn’t concerned about what happens to him, he’s only concerned with remaining holy (pure). And, God honors that good request.
The northern kingdom has been in sin much longer than the south, ever since Jeroboam (their first king when they broke away from Rehoboam, Solomon’s son) and made golden calves to worship. Their doom has been hanging over their head since then.
I wonder if the iron skillet was to cook the food that he was to prepare in advance? I’m sure this prophecy didn’t gain him any friends, and probably most people thought he was simply crazy. It makes me wonder if some of the people we think are crazy today are really just being led by God to behave in the way that they do.
Several times now Ezekiel has been “tied up”. I wonder what that means? Is he restricted from all other work? Does it signify that he’s a captive, or an exile? Perhaps it’s meant to show that he can only speak at God’s command, and is “incapable” at all other times.
Faithfully,
PR