2021-7-14

Ezekiel 3:1-27 ~ 4:1-17

　　The book of Ezekiel is filled with visions and bizarre symbols to illustrate God’s judgment upon Israel and neighboring countries, as well as hope of restoration of the future perfected kingdom of God. After God called Ezekiel to prophesy against the nation Israel (Chapter 2), God equipped Ezekiel with His words – He told Ezekiel to eat the scroll, which is His words (3:1). Ezekiel was already living in exile with his fellow countrymen in Babylon (3:11). At this time, Jerusalem had not yet been destroyed and those exiled in Babylon still carried hope of returning to their homeland soon. Ezekiel’s role was to reveal the heart rendering message (2:9b) of divine judgment against Israel and Judah (Jerusalem). God told Ezekiel to eat the scroll so that he could deliver His message of judgment. I imagine this was probably carried out like a vision which Peter experienced in Acts 10:9-14 when he was told to kill the so-called unclean animals and eat them. When we eat (read) and digest (breakdown and understand) spiritual food (Bible), we will be nourished (better equipped) to share with others the bread (word) from God. That was what Ezekiel had to do in order to relay God’s warnings and judgment against the rebellious nation of Israel (3:4-7). Apart from understanding the word of God (3:10), Ezekiel must also stand firm and be courageous in delivering the message, even if the message is harsh and rejected by his people (3:8-11, 27). It is easy to get hung up on how others would react whenever we share the gospel, but the lesson here for me is to share the truth and leave the rest for God to work it out.

　　God also laid upon Ezekiel his responsibility of warning the Israelites. Whether they are wicked or righteous, it is imperative that Ezekiel warn them against sinning. His failure to do so may possibly contribute to them dying for their sins, as well as jeopardize his eternal future (3:16-20). As believers, we have a responsibility to share the gospel to others and to warn them of the judgment to come. When we face the Lord at His judgment seat one day, will we be judged favorably for our obedience to His Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)?

　　God called Ezekiel to act out the symbol of judgment against Jerusalem. Ezekiel used a clay tablet to make a model of Jerusalem and he built siege works of ramp and battering rams around the tablet. Ezekiel was also to hold an iron pan between him and the clay tablet to signify Jerusalem would be under attack with an unbreakable siege (4:1-3).

　　Moreover, Ezekiel himself was also to act out the sins of the nation by lying on his side for more than a year! 390 days lying on his left to represent the same number of years of Israel’s sins and 40 days to represent the same number of years of Judah’s sins. He was also to ration his food and drink during the 390 days on his side (4:9-11). Aside from preparing his food, Ezekiel probably lay down much of his time so as to abide by the rules given by God for he could not turn from one side to the other until he had finished the days of his siege (4:4-8). Ezekiel was to cook his food over human excrement initially, but by the grace of God, he was allowed to substitute for cow manure. God wanted Ezekiel to drive home the message to the people in exile about the repercussion of their sins (4:16-17). It was an imagery of famine and horror ( defilement using excrement as fuel for baking) that would strike the people in the days to come. Ezekiel’s street theater probably made people take notice of his message and realize it was because of their idolatry, they had defiled their temple, city and land. As a result, God withdrew himself from His people and judged them with a national judgement.

　　God has His ways of communicating with His people. He used vision, imagery and symbols to bring home His message to His people in exile. Today, we have His words communicated to us in the Bible. By His love and grace, Jesus, the Son of God incarnate in human flesh, in order to communicate with us, and show us the way to be reconciled with Him. Let us encourage each other to be bold and faithful in spreading the gospel-the message of repentance, hope and salvation which is recorded so amazingly in the Bible for us. 　　　— Lai Yee Leong