Reading
SAA Notes
In 1975, God used these verses to call me to the ministry of Word and sacrament – to my own people. Ezekiel was sent to his own people surviving in exile. Why would this be a hard ministry?
SJA Notes
* Dear God, thank You for Your word to us today. Please write it on our hearts.
“And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions.”
God knows the truth of His people. He clearly states a number of times to Ezekiel that they are a rebellious people with stubborn hearts.
Ezekiel was called to preach God’s word to exiled Israel.
Ezekiel had to combat much adversity, people being thorns and scorpions, hard heads and stubborn hearts.
In the book of Joshua, in the first chapter, we read Joshua’s words to Israel (Joshua was also a prophet),
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
The reality that faced Ezekiel faces us today.
We will face hard heads and stubborn hearts.
How can we deal with the fear, with the briers and thorns and scorpions?
Our God is with us.
God calls each of us as He called Ezekiel. God sets us into the ministries He chooses for us.
How can we grappled with such a calling?
Our God is with us!
This is a wonderful message for us all. For the Israelites as they went into the promised land with Joshua leading them. For Ezekiel in exile in Babylon. For us today as we walk this narrow road.
Our God is with us!
We can remember that our Lord Jesus is IMMANUEL – God with us.
How can we face the calling God has for us?
Our God is with us!
* Gracious Father,
Thank You that You called Ezekiel into a specific ministry to Israel in exile, for his witness to us, for his obedience to You.
Thank You that You call us each into specific and intentional ministries, to preach Your word in thought, word and deed wherever You place us.
Thank You that You are Immanuel – Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
Amen.