Lamentation, Mourning and Woe

God's Urgent Call
Calling of Prophets

Ezekiels' Call 

Ezekiel 2:8-10 The Message

8 “Only take care, son of man, that you don’t rebel like these rebels. Open your mouth and eat what I give you.”
9-10 When I looked he had his hand stretched out to me, and in the hand a book, a scroll. He unrolled the scroll. On both sides, front and back, were written lamentations and mourning and doom.
36-37 These things that happened confirmed the Scripture, “Not a bone in his body was broken,” and the other Scripture that reads, “They will stare at the one they pierced."

For Reflection

The pressure to conform to social and religious norms can be enormous. Society pushes to maintain stability by enforcing the status quo. Even when the religious climate is dysfunctional, the adherents zealously strive to support it.  It is not unusual for such challenges to become violent. Jeremiah experienced it and so does Ezekiel.

Therefore, God warns Ezekiel to guard against succumbing to the pressure by devouring God's word, infusing the scriptures into his whole mental, spiritual, and physical being.  It is Ezekiel's armor and God's word is his sword.  The words cut into the core of the Israelites being and they defend themselves rather than examine their souls.

Today's prophets face the same challenge.  The Christian camps have been established. They carry the name of Christ but vary widely in philosophy and practice. Like the Israelites, they too will defend their faith definitions to their deaths. They too, “... will stare at the one they pierced."

Pray

Pray for those who have succumbed to the fear of living. Pray for those lives that are conflicted by competing interpretations of the Christian faith.  Pray and study scripture as seekers of the truth.  Seek wisdom as the deer seek water. Take the time to examine prayerfully your faith and your soul.  Pray and listen to the loving counsel of God. Pray so that you can know God as Christ knows God.