Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The story of Ezekiel is found in the book of Ezekiel.

Influential Men of the Bible: Ezekiel
The story of Ezekiel is found in the book of Ezekiel.
The prophet Ezekiel had the thankless job of proclaiming God’s message on the crowded and hostile streets of Babylon. At the same time Jeremiah was warning the citizens of Jerusalem of the coming destruction of that holy city, Ezekiel was preaching the same message to the exiles (those displaced) in Babylon. Even though God’s people were hundreds of miles away from their homes and the Temple, God would not leave them in the dark. Instead He sent Ezekiel to warn, exhort, and comfort the weary exiles. The people of Ezekiel’s day, suffering from the consequences of a history of rebellion against God, found it easier to blame their ancestors for sin than to take responsibility for their own offenses. God made it clear that we may suffer for someone else’s misdeeds, but we will be judged for our own (Ezekiel 18:30).
James instructs us that when we find ourselves in a time of great testing and trials, we can ask God for wisdom, “who gives to all liberally and without reproach,” (James 1:5 NJKV) remembering that God’s wisdom is not always what we want to hear, but it’s always what we need to hear. God’s love and chastisement may be currently painful, but afterward will prove to be rewarding life training (Hebrews 12:11). The purpose of God’s actions is always to bring about the spiritual renewal of all people. We can always find restoration when we turn to the Lord. God promised to rebuild, fortify, beautify, and bring fruitfulness to what was once wasted, desolate, and ruined (Ezekiel 36:33-35). “For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation” (Psalm 149:4 NKJV).
Even during the darkest days, God insisted that he would restore his people. This message offers hope and inspiration not just to the Jewish exiles, but to all who put their trust in Him. Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones reminds us of God’s power and promise to restore and revive what was once dead in our lives (Ezekiel 37). Ezekiel points toward an even greater revelation of hope fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Through Him, God’s glory fully dwells in our midst as light in our times of darkness. The Good Shepherd restores His lost sheep. He fills us with His Spirit and makes us new creatures in Him (Ezekiel 36:26-28; 37:1-14; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Those who are on the Lord’s side have even greater access to God’s presence than Ezekiel’s visions anticipated. They are able to approach the throne of grace freely and drink from the life-giving water that flows from His presence. Everything that Ezekiel anticipated—and more—is ours in Christ.

No comments:

Post a Comment