Today’s Reading, Ezekiel 1-4
Focal Scripture: Ezekiel 2:5 “Whether they listen or refuse to listen — for they are a rebellious house — they will know that a prophet has been among them.”
People associate us with something in our lives. If you say a name of a person most people have an immediate thought. For instance if you say the name Kirby Smart you think football. If you say the name Billy Graham you think preacher. If you say the name Donald Trump you think president or millionaire. No matter what, our names are associated with a defining attribute. It is a word association game that has real implications because we view people in that lens.
In today’s reading we see that Ezekiel is called to be a prophet of the Lord. He is seeing a detailed vision of creatures and Gods glory all around him. In the best way he can humanly he is trying to convey what he sees. I honestly can’t imagine how difficult that had to be for him trying to describe in detail things nobody has even seen. Then Ezekiel is given his mandate which is to declare God’s message to the people and it doesn’t matter if they listen or not, his job is to just preach. The people will know that a prophet was amongst them and they will be held accountable for their choices. So Ezekiel is associated with being a faithful prophet.
This matters today because preachers are called to be prophets for the Lord. I need to make a clarification here because prophets now are not telling future events they just boldly proclaim what the Bible has already taught. If someone claims to be a prophet or that they have a new vision or revelation from the Lord they are being untruthful. These are people who will be judged severely. They will be associated with falsehood and deceit.
The person who preaches to you every week from the pulpit is both pastor and prophet. Both teacher and a preacher. A preacher who only teaches and doesn’t declare Gods truth boldly is being disobedient. A preacher who only declares bold truth and doesn’t teach the people is neglectful if not abusive to the sheep. Prophets have a testimony that will last a lifetime. Ezekiel is known as the prophet with visions who declared truth no matter what. Prophets today are needed to declare for people to repent and turn to Jesus. It is not about politics or personal opinions. A prophets testimony today is “Thus saith the Lord.”.
Examine those around you and see if they are a biblical or a fraud. It matters for you and for the church as a whole.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Ezekiel 5-8
