Ezekiel’s Call

Read: Ezekiel 2-3:15

Record: Ezekiel is called by God to become a prophet to Israel.  He is to come with the words, “Thus says the Lord God.”  Ezekiel is warned; because the Israelites did not listen to God, they won’t listen to him either.  They are a rebellious people but God wants them to know that He sent them a prophet.  Again, regardless of outcome, God wants Israel to know that a prophet was sent and God wants Ezekiel to say, “Thus says the Lord God,” whether they listen or refuse to hear.

What is fascinating is that God says it would have been almost easier for Ezekiel to go to a foreign people and proclaim to them God’s message save for learning their language.  This language hurdle is not there with Ezekiel’s fellow people.  Ezekiel too is an Israelite and speaks their language but the task given to him is much, much more difficult because of their stubbornness.

Ezekiel is told to eat God’s scroll, which he does.  On the scroll are words of lamentation and woe and warning.  At first glance this doesn’t seem palatable, but Ezekiel listens and it tastes as sweet as honey.  Why?  Because it is the Word of God.

Reflect: The fact that God calls a prophet to Israel is interesting.  God is being faithful to His people.  He is calling them back to repentance, away from their rebellion.  They have no excuse.  The solution is in the message, which Ezekiel will proclaim.

In typical prophetical calling, Ezekiel comes before the presence of the glory of God and it rips the man apart.  In verse 3:15 Ezekiel sat there overwhelmed for days.  The Spirit of the Lord lifted him up and transforms him into a prophet of God.  Repeatedly he is called a son of man.  Ezekiel is being reminded of his creatureliness and so the Spirit of God makes him ready for what he cannot do himself… proclaim faithfully the message of the Lord.

God’s call to Ezekiel is interesting for another reason as well.  Whether Israel listens to Ezekiel or not does not change the nature of Ezekiel’s call.  Ezekiel is to be faithful to what God has called him to do no matter the outcome.  He is to speak God’s words of lamentation and warning and woe.  This is not the content people want to hear.  I’m sure Ezekiel (whose name means “God makes strong, hardens”) knows this won’t be popular.  Yet God desires Ezekiel to be faithful to his calling. The calling of Ezekiel is saturated with the notion of faithfulness both on God’s end and the demands placed upon Ezekiel.

Respond: Though significant differences exist because they are entirely different offices, the prophetical office of the Old Covenant and the preaching ministry of the New Covenant have an important similarity and that is to convey God’s Word.  When my pastor preaches God’s Word faithfully to me, I better hear what is being proclaimed and pray that I not be hard-hearted or rebellious.

Every time a prophet comes before God, he is in absolute awe.  He is also torn apart by his own sinfulness.  I need help here.  Countless times I been made aware of God’s awesome glory and the proper deep response of utter sinfulness has not accompanied that consuming glory.  I pray that God will make clear to me by dissecting every sinful thought, word, and deed in my life.

Finally, knowing that Ezekiel was lifted up by the Spirit encourages me that one day, I too will be fit for the heavenly kingdom to which I now already belong.  I so look forward to that eschatological consummation that will occur when Jesus returns.  I’ve been made righteous in Christ and I eagerly await the day when I will be consummated in righteousness fit for heaven alone.

Man, I really need to go read Images of the Spirit again!