Read Ezekiel 33:21-33
It’s an interesting experience reading through Ezekiel realizing that his time stamped prophecies are not in chronological order. If your brain works craves “order” like mine, I’ve put a post over in the “Devotions on the Go!” Facebook group that sets out the order one should read these dated texts.
The good news is that we’re now in the final section of Ezekiel’s writings which are more filled with hope. As Israel’s watchman, Ezekiel will now focus more on the restoration of God’s people. Will they at last respond favorably to God?
Apparently not yet! We see an escapee from Jerusalem coming to find Ezekiel. His message was “the city has fallen!” At first, I thought maybe this man was seeking refuge with the others in captivity. But we’re not told whether his intentions were to worship God or to selfishly find safety.
Instead, Ezekiel is given a message from God about this man before he even arrives. God was preparing Ezekiel to sense this messenger’s own arrogance and expectation of provision. God saw the heart of this man as well as others who were wandering aimlessly expecting God would rescue them.
These people left behind in the land thought they were the ones who were to receive the inheritance even though they did nothing to honor God’s name or desires. God called their sins “detestable.” Ezekiel was given the words from God to expose their sinfulness. God’s promise to restore Israel would be accomplished, but not through ungodly men like this messenger or others like him.
Ezekiel had apparently gotten quite a reputation. People would come to heart Ezekiel’s prophetic messages but would not “listen” or change their ways. The LORD told Ezekiel, “They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money.”
This passage may have been encouraging to Ezekiel knowing that God was not oblivious to his frustrations as a prophet. Someday people would understand. “But when all these terrible things happen to them—as they certainly will—then they will know a prophet has been among them.” For now, Ezekiel would remain faithful, speaking God’s truth and watching God’s will unfold before him. That’s what we can do, too.
Let’s pray. LORD, thank you for seeing through all the lies and deceptions of this world. It can be hard to speak your truth when it seems to fall on deaf ears. Help me stay faithful to you despite the messages of the world. Use me to be more than simply an entertainer but one who helps inspire people to continue on their faith journey. I pray that those who are now blind to your truth will be able to see and appreciate your beauty. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
