We have been talking about Ezekiel and the encounters he had with God. We talked about how God called him to do some pretty crazy things – read Ezekiel 1-4 if you want to get a picture of his calling and just a small taste of the crazy things he was called to do. He was called to do these crazy things by God when he realized his dream of going home (he was in exile) was not going to happen. God gave Ezekiel a fresh dream and a fresh vision of what he was to do and Ezekiel probably did not understand all that was going on in the vision but he moved forward in obedience and trust. Ezekiel in this new vision learned that he had a new task ahead and was willing to take it on and trust God for the results. That then leads us to see the last couple of things that we can learn from Ezekiel’s encounters with God.
God may give you a special message by an encounter with Him. Ezekiel was trained to be a priest, a special type of priest. Ezekiel appears to have trained to be a scribal priest or a teaching priest. There were many different ways for a priest to serve God, but Ezekiel was not going to fulfill any of them now. He encountered God and got a new message to deliver to God’s people. He was commissioned to be a prophet for God. Ezekiel had an on-going encounter with God, and out of these encounters, he received many messages from God that he wrote in his book. What is it that God wants you to do? Are you doing the task you are called to or are you just standing still doing nothing? We all need to be seeking God and the task he has for us!
One last thing here and that is this: when it seems as though our birth family and birthplace has predetermined our lot in life, an encounter with God can change everything. Most born into the tribe of Levi were predetermined to serve in some capacity in the Temple. A few Levites were called to the highest office which was ministering priests, and we read this in Hebrews 5:4 "No man takes this honor to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron". Ezekiel encountered God one day and gave up his family’s ministry and professional preparation of being a priest.
Here is the thing, just because you think you are predetermined to do something does not mean that you are because God is a God of change. He is the God of doing a new thing as we are reminded of in Isaiah 43:19 which says: Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. Are you ready for God to do something new in your life, a new direction, a new task?
Are you ready for God to do something new in your life? Anything else you want to share about the encounters that Ezekiel had with God?
I have to admit the “change” part is difficult to manage. It’s scary and often carries with it a big huge, “I don’t know” in front of it. It’s like God telling Abe, “leave your place and family and go to where I tell you”. He does, but never knew where he was going. Who wants to live like that? Of course, it’s best to trust in Him.
” I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert” sometimes it feels like a wilderness or desert- the only way I know to survive is by allowing God to lead!