Today's Scripture
Ezekiel 12:1-16
Today’s reading Ezekiel 9-12
The word of the Lord came to me: 2 Mortal, you are living in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see but do not see, who have ears to hear but do not hear; 3 for they are a rebellious house. Therefore, mortal, 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 go into exile. 5 Dig through the wall in their sight, and carry the baggage through it. 6 In their sight you shall lift the baggage on your shoulder, and carry it out in the dark; you shall cover your face, so that you may not see the land; for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel.
7 I did just 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 it out in the dark, carrying it on my shoulder in their sight.
8 In the morning the word of the Lord came to me: 9 Mortal, 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 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.”
RJ's Devotion
What does the passage say?
V. 1-3 The people of Israel lost their ability to listen and obey to their Lord.
V. 4-6 God orders Ezekiel to pack his bag, as a symbol to the people, about the captivity that is about to happen.
V. 7-11 Ezekiel carries out the command, and the people receive the message, but we see how they still did not listen.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
We are reading through the Book of Ezekiel, according to the One Year Bible reading challenge.
There is s starch comparison between “who have eyes to see but do not see, who have ears to hear but do not hear” (v. 2 NRSV).
The reason why the people ended up in this situation is that they denied listening to God’s command.
Ezekiel, on the other hand, follows and obeys God’s command, regardless of how ridiculous it can be perceived.
Do we, by any chance, consider the requirement to love God and follow God’s command as a burden?
In 1 John, it says, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome,” (1 John 5:2-3, NRSV)
God loves us, and it is proven through God’s son; Jesus. However, we tend to remain just wanting to be loved, but not willing to love our Lord.
Do we have an open ear and heart like Ezekiel, or did we closed them, like the Israelites?
Prayer
Lord, open our eyes and hearts to see your love and follow your commands. As we follow your ways, today, may you work through us. In Christ Name, AMEN.
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