S) "6 As for you, son of man, groan with breaking heart and bitter grief, groan in their sight. 7 And when they say to you, 'Why do you groan?' you shall say, 'Because of the news that is coming; and every heart will melt, all hands will be feeble, every spirit will faint and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it comes and it will happen,' declares the Lord God."
Ezekiel 21:6-7 (NASB)
O) The LORD told Ezekiel, that He would be separating the righteous and the wicked (v.3), and that His sword would be sharpened and polished, readied for the destruction of the wicked (throughout the chapter, nine times I counted). Ezekiel was tasked with warning Jerusalem and the land of Israel, that the judgment of the LORD was coming, and He would not be turned back. The sword was drawn and it would not be put away (v.5), and He makes it clear that Babylon is that sword (vv.19-23). So, why wasn't Ezekiel's instruction as simple as a warning? Why was he instructed specifically, to be brokenhearted, groaning with bitter grief in their sight? In times past, several prophets would warn about guilt of evil and righteous judgment, then simply be done with it. I really think that God wanted Ezekiel to manifest His heart about this, so that it might grab the attention of the people (some, at least). It's one thing to prophesy destruction, but it's another to prophesy it while being plainly upset by it. As I was typing this observation, I was struck by the foreshadowing this passage has for Luke 19:41-44, when Jesus wept over Jerusalem.
A) When I read Old Testament prophetic books, my usual impression is one of humble thanks. Generally, I'm just struck by the grace involved that I am considered righteous by the LORD, and I am spared from His wrath. I marked these verses as instruction, though, because I think Ezekiel recorded an important element to intercession. I've been making concerted efforts in my prayers for my unsaved family, lately. Some of my most moving times of prayer have come when I am struck by grief over their souls. Even focusing only on the temporal, for a moment, I see so much pain, sorrow, confusion, stress, strife, anxiety, and chaos - all of which is washed away by the blood of Jesus and reconciliation to the Father. Crucial to following Ezekiel's example, though, isn't that I would simply grieve for them - I've done that some already - I need to be visibly moved. Not only do I need to be visibly upset by this, the vulnerability of which will take a huge amount of courage, but I also need to be bold enough to talk about why I am upset. I've known for a long time, that to minister means to risk being wounded. Now, it's time for me to make that a reality, voluntarily, if that's what it takes to reach my family.
P) Father, Your goodness is overwhelming. There is no wound You cannot heal, there is no pain You cannot soothe, there is no brokenness You cannot mend, there is no loss You cannot recover, there is no life You cannot redeem. You are sovereign and almighty, righteous and merciful, gracious and loving. I commit myself to being a tool in Your hands. Use me, however You will. Draw my family to repentance through Your compassion and lovingkindness, just as You said. Help me be patient, knowing that Your timing is perfect; You are never late, just as You have said. You said that I am given a spirit of boldness, not timidity, so let me be bold in my obedience. Help me to be visibly moved, grieved, by the need I see in my loved ones, to know Your grace and mercy. Open their eyes to see, and their ears to hear, so that they will take notice. When I am asked, and please let me be asked, then give me the courage to be honest, completely truthful, in my confession to them. Let Your will be done in my life, and in their lives. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment