Today’s reading: Ezekiel 1-3, John 1
Have you ever been given an assignment in school or in your career which may seem insurmountable? While working with my children on their homework, they are excited or frustrated with some of the homework. These are new concepts to them that they do not understand and are trying to piece them together. As a a dad, I find how to solve the question or how to understand the question. In my job, I have puzzles given to me several times an hour and these puzzles sometimes are easy to solve, but sometimes they are difficult to solve. Sometimes these puzzles and assignments seem overwhelming, but these do not even compare the assignment that Ezekiel was given from God.
A couple of items that I learned in researching Ezekiel, 1.) Ezekiel was given his vision on his 30th birthday, 2.) Ezekiel was to become a priest for the people, 3.) Ezekiel was in exile when he is getting these visions and assignments. So Ezekiel is in the midst of this major change of his life while he is given a new assignment to go and proclaim to the people about what is going on.
“The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.”
Ezekiel 2:4-7 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/ezk.2.4-7.ESV
One of the main words that I have for Ezekiel is obedience and persistence. Ezekiel is obedient to God by listening to God‘s command and performing his assignment and his job without fail. Ezekiel is even given a mandate that “ the job that you are going to do you’re not going to succeed in. You’re given the job that you’re going to have to continually do the things that I am requesting of you but you may not succeed.” Let that sink in for a moment. You’re given assignment that you know that the outcome may not be favorable but you have to perform the task.
What are the main takeaways from today’s reading is that when given a assignment from God, we have to understand that he will be there for us and that he is able to uplift us in the midst of the hardship and heartache, and the joys and the trails. We have to learn to rely and rest in him and be diligent workers no matter the assignment. It will not be easy sometimes, but the reward is worth it. Be blessed.