For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Ezek. 1-2
When Ezekiel saw his vision of God’s glory, he fell facedown. He simply could not stand in the presence of God. None of us can. When this image of God’s glory spoke to him, however, the first thing He told Ezekiel to do was to stand up on his feet. Then Ezekiel wrote, “As He spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet” (Ezek. 2:2a). This seems like a small detail. As I read it this morning, however, I saw it as an awesome depiction of what God does for us. Though we are wholly unworthy, He puts His Spirit in us so that we can stand before our holy God. Incredible! Furthermore, it shows me that even as God asks us to do something, He provides the means for us to do it. What an amazing God we serve!
Ezek. 3
When the Spirit took Ezekiel away, he said that he left in bitterness and an angry spirit. Why? I don’t know the answer but can think of a few possible reasons. Maybe he was bitter and angry about leaving God’s presence. He said that the LORD’s hand was on him powerfully, though, so this doesn’t seem likely. So maybe he was angry because of the mission God gave him. He could have been angry because he didn’t seem to have a choice in the matter. Or, like Johan, perhaps he didn’t think the people deserved a chance from God. Or maybe it was because God was sending him to speak a hard message to a hard people who would not listen to it anyway. I think that last one might just do it for me.
So that makes me wonder if Ezekiel sat stunned, evidently saying nothing for seven days. I always figured he was just waiting for further word from God, which seems highly likely. But I wonder. And when I look at Ezekiel’s seven day pause in the light of his bitter attitude, something about God’s words to him at the end of those seven days makes sense to me. If Ezekiel’s attitude was one of, “Why should I speak to a people who aren’t going to listen to me anyway”, then God’s answer says, “Their response is not your responsibility; I will hold you accountable for your obedience, not theirs.”
My take-away from that – it doesn’t matter what God asks of me or how others respond to me. What matters for me is my obedience to God no matter what. And I can obey Him with confidence, knowing that He will enable me to do what He asks.
Ezek. 4
This seems like an elaborate way to tell the people that Jerusalem will come under siege and they will ration their bread and water. I have to say, though, there is something about the image of a full-sized man laying siege to a single brick from behind an iron plate. I get the picture of God executing justice on His people because of their sins. At the same time, however, that same God bears their iniquity. An interesting thought.