God chooses Ezekiel to be His mouthpiece to those in exile in Babylon. He serves as a warning, a watchman for the people of Israel. Ezekiel has visions from the Lord that show him what is taking place in the Lord’s throne room, as well as what is taking place behind closed doors in Jerusalem. I can’t imagine what Ezekiel is feeling as he becomes a mouthpiece for the Lord and no longer has the ability to speak to anyone unless it is the word of God.
In our world, we have plenty to say and plenty of ways to say it, but is everything really worth saying? Ezekiel was given the task of being the watchman for Israel, warning others of what was to come. We need to rely on God’s word, and friends who walk with the Lord to help be watchmen in our lives, to warn us when we stray.
Passage:
Ezekiel 1-12
Discovered:
- While in Babylon, Ezekiel had visions from the Lord.
- Ezekiel saw a great cloud and 4 creatures emerge: cherubim who were guarding the throne of guard.
- He saw the glory of the Lord and heard him speak.
- Ezekiel is given the Spirit of God and is sent by God to the people of Israel.
- Even though you will speak to the house of Israel and they will understand you, they will not listen.
- Ezekiel sat with exiles at Tel-abib overwhelmed with what he saw for 7 days.
- God told Ezekiel that he was to serve as the watchman of Israel giving warnings to them.
- The Lord took away Ezekiel’s ability to speak – he could only speak words given to him by the Lord.
- Ezekiel was told to draw an image of Jerusalem under siege.
- He must lie on left side for 390 days to represent the punishment of Israel – 390 years.
- Then, Ezekiel must lie on his right side for 40 days to represent the punishment of Judah – 40 years.
- Ezekiel is told to shave his head and burn 1/3 , take the sword to 1/3 and scatter 1/3 in the wind and tie a few to your robe – represents what will happen at Jerusalem.
- The sword comes as a result of your idol worship, I will destroy your high places and lay your dead in front of them.
- Day of Judgement has come for Jerusalem.
- Ezekiel was taken to Jerusalem and shown the idol worship throughout the city.
- The faithful were marked.
- Day of Judgement has come for Jerusalem.
- God summoned His executioners and all the idol worshippers were killed.
- God told the scribe to scatter burning coals throughout the city, begin its destruction.
- The glory of the Lord left the temple and left the city through the east gate.
- Ezekiel prophesizes that the Lord will bring the sword upon them and put in exile for not walking with the Lord.
- Lord promises that He will gather His scattered people and give them to Isael.
- They will receive a new heart and spirit and walk in my statutes.
- God told Ezekiel to act out 2 x a day = day and dusk, packing necessities and going out of the city in exile.
- a warning of what to come.
- God tells Ezekiel to tell Israel that there will be no more delays, judgement is here.
Help me to remember:
Lord gave Israel plenty of warnings to redirect their path and most chose to ignore them.
Lord, I ask that . . .
those around me will act as a watchman in my life, giving me warnings to redirect back to the Lord and His plan for me.
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for . . .
that your love for us is deep enough to redirect us, warn us and discipline us when we stray.
