prophet Ezekiel – Page 15

Ezekiel 4:1-17 – Getting Our Attention

Read Ezekiel 4:1-17

What we’re seeing in the first eight verses is Ezekiel demonstrating a “sign act.” Such sign acts are a prophet’s way of totally immersing themselves in the message. When a prophet is “all in,” there is a greater chance more people will pay attention. In other words, it’s an “attention getter.”

For example, after play-acting the siege on Jerusalem, Ezekiel will be bound by ropes as he continues to put himself into this prophetic word. The meaning or representation of being tied up may suggest the people are in exile, held captive by a powerful force. What does that message mean for the people of God already living this reality? This confirms their predicament of being restrained from living life as they would desire, like they did back “home.” Continue reading “Ezekiel 4:1-17 – Getting Our Attention”

Ezekiel 2:1-8 – Used By God

Read Ezekiel 2:1-8

One moment Ezekiel’s face was in the dust overcome with his vision of the throne of God, and the next–God spoke. Have you ever heard the voice of God speak to you? I’ve often wondered if I may have missed hearing God because my head was too crowded with other things. I’ll never forget the night I heard God say, “You’re going to write for me.” I’ve been writing my Bible reflections ever since.

If God wants us to move, like he did Ezekiel, he’ll make sure we hear him loud and clear. Do you think Ezekiel jumped to his feet when he heard the voice? He may have thought he was hearing things. If there had been any initial doubt, God sent his spirit to enter Ezekiel. In that moment, Ezekiel must have realized who he was hearing. It was God speaking just to him. Continue reading “Ezekiel 2:1-8 – Used By God”

Ezekiel 1:1-14 – A Vision of Four-Faced Beings

Read Ezekiel 1:1-14

Can you imagine what it feels like to have the hand of God take hold of you? This young prophet sure did. The Book of Ezekiel wastes no time in getting into the thick of some pretty captivating imagery.

There’s no question where Ezekiel is as he encounters this first vision. Knowing the time and place and mention of King Jehoiachin, we can place Ezekiel in June/July 593 B.C. during the time of exile. The prophet Daniel would have been a contemporary, also living in exile. Ezekiel’s version of Babylonian life will be from a different perspective. Ezekiel wasn’t the Jewish high-ranking officer that Daniel was. Continue reading “Ezekiel 1:1-14 – A Vision of Four-Faced Beings”

Lamentations 4:1-22 – Punishment for Sin

Read Lamentations 4:1-22

Some of the verses of this lament were very hard to read. I won’t quote those horrific scenes, but they will haunt me when I think of the punishment God’s people endured for their sinfulness. When we read passages like this, we often want to run immediately to the New Testament and fill up on some grace. Instead, take a moment to reflect on what God is saying to you today.

This lament is written from the viewpoint of the misery affecting the citizens of Zion. We see the fate of several different classes of people mentioned. Escaping this reality was not an option, even for the rich and powerful. These terrible things were punishment and a direct result of the people’s sinfulness.