Ezekiel 1-4
Devotion by Pastor Jeff Fletcher – originally posted for SeekGrowLove (then named Grow16) on March 19, 2017 – the first time our daily Bible devotions site was reading through Ezekiel. Jeff has been a valued writer and top contributor for SeekGrowLove through the years and we look forward to sharing his words from God’s Word with you all week. Thank You, Jeff, for your faithful words over and over again!
Ezekiel was a priest in Israel during a tumultuous time in their history. The Northern kingdom had been decimated by the Assyrian empire and its people scattered and assimilated resulting in a complete loss in their identity as a distinctive people of God. The Southern Kingdom of Judah was now being systematically taken apart by the Babylonians. Ezekiel was among the early members of Judah’s elite leaders who were taken captive to Babylon. Ezekiel was now a priest living in a foreign land where he had no access to the temple of Jerusalem and the religious symbols that helped shape his life and give him meaning and purpose.
In today’s readings God comes to Ezekiel in a series of visions. These visions are recorded as a type of scripture known as apocalyptic- where something is revealed or unveiled. In addition to portions of Ezekiel there are apocalyptic passages in the books of Daniel, Isaiah and Joel. God reveals what is going to happen as He brings an end to the present age preparing the way for the age to come or coming Kingdom of God. You will notice some similarities between Ezekiel 1 and Revelation 1 and 4.
Ezekiel’s description sounds like something in a science fiction movie- 1:27-28 says: “ I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.”
Imagine if, for a brief instant, God permitted you to have a vision of himself in all of His glory. You would probably struggle to find the right words to communicate what you saw. So it is with Ezekiel. He is overcome by the glory of God and he falls on his face.
The whole of Ezekiel is surrounded by the image of a holy God. But God’s people, Israel, have been disobedient to God. Ezekiel is appointed by God to serve as his “watchman” (3:17) for the people Israel in captivity. His mission is to warn God’s people of their sins and to call them to repentance. Ezekiel 2:7-8: “You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you.”
The job of a watchman is to stay awake, keep one’s eyes open, and warn if anything dangerous or illegal is taking place. It might also include a warning to those who are tempted to trespass. Ezekiel’s job was to warn God’s people about the consequences of their sins and the coming judgment of God. God tells Ezekiel essentially: “you need to warn the people about my coming judgment. If they don’t listen to your warning, then they will suffer the consequences, but if you fail to warn them, then I’ll hold you responsible for their sins.” God was letting Ezekiel know that he had a mission, to share God’s word with people. If the people didn’t listen or heed the warning, it was on them, but if he refused to give the warning it was on him.
As followers of Jesus Christ today, we are called to be priests in this world. Like Ezekiel, we are living in an age where much of Christianity has been decimated by a massive turning away from God and people are scattered and assimilated into the world resulting in a complete loss in their identity as a distinctive people of God. And like Ezekiel, we are to keep watch and issue warnings to the people of the world. As with Ezekiel, sometimes we will warn people and they won’t listen. If that’s the case, it’s on them. But if we fail to do our job and give the warning, then it’s on us. People won’t always like what we have to say- prophets and priests are sometimes labelled as intolerant and not very popular, but that should not prevent us from doing the work God has given us to be His watchmen to our generation. (Note: our job is not to be the judge, it’s not our place to condemn the world, but to tell them what God tells us to tell them, which is the Gospel.)
-Pastor Jeff Fletcher
In 2017 Jeff introduced himself this way to the FUEL readers –
My name is Pastor Jeff Fletcher. I’m one of the old guys. I first attended what is now FUEL (then it was called National Camp) back in 1977 and I’ve been a camper or on the staff for most of the past 40 years. I’m a graduate of Oregon Bible College, (Now ABC) and I’m completing a Master’s Degree from Eastern Mennonite Seminary. I’ve pastored Churches in Illinois, England, Louisiana, South Carolina and now Virginia. My wife Karen and I have eleven children and 4 grandchildren and my daughter, Karee Anne is getting married this Saturday, March 25. In addition to pastoring a Church I also work as a hospital chaplain. I am passionate about bringing the message of God’s loving presence to people who are hurting and in need of hope and purpose in life.
Reflection Questions
- What was Ezekiel facing being a priest and prophet of God in Babylon? Have you ever felt like you were God’s priest or prophet in Babylon? If not, why not?
- Has anyone ever served as a watchman for you – warning you of God’s judgment to come? Why does God value this role and put the responsibility on Ezekiel?
- Does God give us the job of making people change? What does he tell us to do?
- How seriously do you personally take the job of watchman or priest? Who do you know who needs to hear that they are on a dangerous path? How will you sound the alarm?
Seek Grow Love 