Prophets Ezekiel 1

Intro

a different kind of prophet

one who is an illustration as much as a mouthpiece

trying to make the horrors God’s people face make sense

Ezekiel’s call 3

Ezekiel is called to take the word of God and share it

what he will have to do and endure in his time as prophet is possibly the worst of any

as he looks over the Kebar

when he should be being appointed a priest in Jerusalem

God calls him to speak of the Judgment that is soon to come to Judah and Jerusalem

more than just speak it though, Ezekiel will have to live it all out

Ezekiel’s example

4

lying on his side each side as a symbol

watching the siege that has come because the people refused to listen to God

eating food cooked over dung for over a year

Israel is defiled and destroyed because of what they have done and Ezekiel’s life will be the object lesson of it living among them

False Prophets

similar to Jeremiah at the same time

those in the camp of Jerusalem and in the ghetto of Babylon who speak lies to try to make god more like them

they want something they think is more appealing

they miss justice and righteousness

Watchman 33

God commands Ezekiel to speak against the wicked

if he refuses to do so and they remain wicked, the wickedness is not only their fault but Ezekiel’s as well

he is responsible for calling out to God’s people in this moment

he is the one to whom these things have been revealed

not a responsibility Ezekiel asked for or maybe even wanted

not the position of his wildest dreams

not always the most rewarding

but the hope that will come with it is more than worth it

Application

the sad part of the story

Israel is called out to once more by the prophet of God

this one not as much to get them to turn from their sin as they are already in exile

but to help them and future generations understand why it is that God has done all of these things

God’s charge to Ezekiel as a watchmen is something we should take away as well

you and I have the word of God that saves others

we cannot make everyone listen and understand, but we are responsible for telling them just as the prophet was

you are not guilty for the one who does not listen, but you are guilty if you failed to tell them

if you know the good and don’t do it, it is sin