Read Ezekiel 22:1-16
The Sovereign LORD has been giving Ezekiel many messages of doom and gloom. Ezekiel’s homeland is about to be under attack, orchestrated by God himself. How do you think Ezekiel was feeling? Do we ever question what a prophet must be thinking?
God asks Ezekiel the question in this reading. “Son of man, are you ready to judge Jerusalem?” There must be a myriad of emotions coursing through Ezekiel. After all, Ezekiel is already living in exile in Babylon. His own personal capture and removal from Jerusalem has happened, and he is still alive. Everything that is about to happen to Jerusalem must seem so far away!
In case anyone has forgotten, God shares again what sorts of sins the people of Jerusalem committed. It would seem there are no good souls left living there. Certainly, there is no reverence for the Lord or his laws and decrees. People are living self-absorbed lives, trusting in idols rather than the one true God. Did you notice many of those sins are running rampant still today. Do we never learn?
Such rebuke for these sinful behaviors should not come as a surprise. There are clear sources for all of this found in Scripture. But if people weren’t listening to the priests, they were living ignorant lives. How about today? What are people listening to? The counsel of the LORD?
Being a messenger of the Good News can be hard enough for us when facing opposition. Imagine having to bring “bad” news to a people who were too caught up in their own way of doing things. Why should they change because of something a “crazy” prophet was talking about. Was Ezekiel ready to be ridiculed and/or ignored for his obedience?
By the time Ezekiel’s words were being proclaimed, it was too late to change the outcome. God’s wrath would fall. Ezekiel’s role wasn’t to get the people to repent but to warn them so when the events take place they would recognize it was God moving. How do you get ready to give a hard message like that?
For us, we need only focus on our own readiness to share the gospel. Good news like Jesus’ redeeming grace and God’s never-ending love should be easy for us to share. Why do we have a hard time then? We need to get out of our own way and focus on how God’s love transforms and gives hope. Tap into your own experience. It doesn’t have to be scary.
Let’s pray. LORD, I feel ready and energized to share about you each time I spend time with you. Help me to carry that confidence into my daily tasks, always looking for the opportunity to share. Give me the boldness I need to step out of my own way. I look forward to the openings you will provide. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
