 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house. 3 As for you, son of man, prepare for yourself an exile's baggage, and go into exile by day in their sight. You shall go like an exile from your place to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house. 4 You shall bring out your baggage by day in their sight, as baggage for exile, and you shall go out yourself at evening in their sight, as those do who must go into exile. 5 In their sight dig through the wall, and bring your baggage out through it. 6 In their sight you shall lift the baggage upon your shoulder and carry it out at dusk. You shall cover your face that you may not see the land, for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel.”
7 And I did as I was commanded. I brought out my baggage by day, as baggage for exile, and in the evening I dug through the wall with my own hands. I brought out my baggage at dusk, carrying it on my shoulder in their sight. 8 In the morning the word of the Lord came to me: 9 “Son of man, has not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, ‘What are you doing?’ 10 Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: This oracle concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are in it.’ 11 Say, ‘I am a sign for you: as I have done, so shall it be done to them. They shall go into exile, into captivity.’12 And the prince who is among them shall lift his baggage upon his shoulder at dusk, and shall go out. They shall dig through the wall to bring him out through it. He shall cover his face, that he may not see the land with his eyes. 13 And I will spread my net over him, and he shall be taken in my snare. And I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, yet he shall not see it, and he shall die there. 14 And I will scatter toward every wind all who are around him, his helpers and all his troops, and I will unsheathe the sword after them. 15 And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them among the countries. 16 But I will let a few of them escape from the sword, from famine and pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am the Lord.” 17 And the word of the Lord came to me: 18 “Son of man, eat your bread with quaking, and drink water with trembling and with anxiety. 19 And say to the people of the land, Thus says the Lord God concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel: They shall eat their bread with anxiety, and drink water in dismay. In this way her land will be stripped of all it contains, on account of the violence of all those who dwell in it. 20 And the inhabited cities shall be laid waste, and the land shall become a desolation; and you shall know that I am the Lord.” 21 And the word of the Lord came to me: 22 “Son of man, what is this proverb that you have about the land of Israel, saying, ‘The days grow long, and every vision comes to nothing’? 23 Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.’ But say to them, The days are near, and the fulfillment of every vision. 24 For there shall be no more any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel. 25 For I am the Lord; I will speak the word that I will speak, and it will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it, declares the Lord God.” 26 And the word of the Lord came to me: 27 “Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, ‘The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ 28 Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord God.” Meditation God desires His word to be heard so He speaks through people’s lips and lives. Jesus was the Word made flesh. Jesus did not only have a message, Jesus was the message. God SHOWED His love for us that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. God wants to speak through the life, love, labor, and lips of His people today. God spoke through His prophets in this way, too. God called Ezekiel to be His mouthpiece to Judah, having Ezekiel eat a scroll to symbolize the sweet word of God he would soon speak. Ezekiel often accompanied the message with acting out what God wanted to say, living the message he was called to speak. Today Ezekiel acts out exile. Ezekiel packed his bags, ate with anxiety and drank with despair. Ezekiel cut a hole in the wall and went through with his face covered. Ezekiel’s life was a “sign” (6, 11) for the people, pointing to the truth of God’s word. Ezekiel performed God’s message because God would soon perform that which He promised (26), rebellious people will experience exile as discipline for their sin. God calls His people to live the message he wants them to speak. Isaiah went naked for three years to call God’s people to have naked faith. Hosea married a prostitute. Jesus came to serve, die, and rise again. God calls us to imitate Jesus, walking in love and giving our lives away (Ephesians 5:1-2) so He can SHOW the world His love. Richly Dwelling -Whose life has spoken the loudest to you? Why? -What does your life say to God’s people and to those who do not yet know Jesus as their Savior? Seriously, if you were to have three words that represented what your life says what would they be? -Jesus SHOWED His love for us and LIVED grace and forgiveness so we can be new creations. What are some practical ways you can show the love of God with your life, labor, and love as you speak about His love with your lips? Key Verse 6 In their sight you shall lift the baggage upon your shoulder and carry it out at dusk. You shall cover your face that you may not see the land, for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel.” Comments are closed.
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