Today we start one of the oddest books
in the Bible. The book is odd because of the imagery Ezekiel describes and the
things he is asked to do. Ezekiel is a priest, thirty years old, who is one of
the 3,000 Judeans who have been exiled in Babylon some five years. He is in the
region of Tel Abib on the banks of the Kebar River (Chebar, depending on
translations, we are not sure of this location today), when God begins to speak
to him.
God speaks to Ezekiel in a pretty
magnificent chariot, with four wheels along with four human and beastlike figures
with some pretty cool appearances. God comes to Ezekiel to prophecy and prepare
those in exile for what is going to happen in Jerusalem under the Babylonians
siege. What I find amazing is God’s need to prepare His people. Here is Ezekiel
in the land of exile preparing those in exile for what will happen to their
home country. Just imagine you are on vacation and a tornado rips through your
home town. How much would that break your heart to read, hear, and maybe even
watch it unfold while you are still miles away? Just as Jeremiah, a
contemporary of Ezekiel, had the responsibility of sharing with those in Jerusalem;
Ezekiel has the responsibility in exile.
God might work in ways we do not always
understand … remember reading about Ezekiel laying down for 390 days on his
side, pretty mysterious … God always does things for our benefit, without
sneaking up on us. Sometimes it takes listening to what God is trying to tell
us. Has God sent someone to your life that might be trying to tell you
something, but you just are not listening? Maybe it is time to notice the
things happening in your life, the messages being shared, and the situations
you keep finding yourself in. God just might be preparing you for something.
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