God will strengthen
This is the 26th study in a series of studies about shadows in scripture
“Behold, I have made your face strong against their [the people of Israel] faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads. Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks…”
Ezekiel 3:8-9 (NKJV)
With some narrative comments for context, Ezekiel’s account is largely a transcript of what God said to him. And what was said and seen was startling. There might be an excuse for passing the initial vision as a drug-induced dream. Ezekiel’s name, meaning ‘God will strengthen’, is fitting, since anyone minding their own business by a river and witnessing what Ezekiel experienced, and obeying some of the instructions that followed, would need that God-provided strength. He was commanded to shave his head, lie on his side for over a year, and make and destroy a model of the temple; all actions that carried meaning, but would have attracted ridicule.
This is one of the places and times in the Bible narrative where the heavenly and the earthly realms intersect and understandably, Ezekiel is struggling to find the words to describe the vision of God’s throne. God makes it clear that His presence has departed from the temple and that he is able to establish that presence anywhere – even in Babylon, with His people, even in captivity. At age 30 when, without the captivity, Ezekiel would have been inaugurated as a priest, he sees a vision of the throne of God and his life changes forever. From being just one more captive he becomes God’s mouthpiece to chastise and encourage the Israelite nation.
The seemingly endless tirade against the people’s disobedience and neglect is underlined by three repeated phrases: “The word of the Lord came to me” (49 times); “Then they will know that I am the Lord” (72 times), and “Son of man” (93 times).
John identifies Jesus as ‘the Word’ – with God, and then on earth (John 1:1-5). He is the one who puts words in the prophet’s mouth. He describes an audience that listens to his words, but fails to act on them. Christ knew this was how many would respond to his message during his earthly ministry. The physical food he fed them was satisfying but they failed to understand that there was another, better food that would take away a deeper hunger. Jesus told them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.” (John 6:35-36).
Jesus frequently referred to himself as the ‘Son of man’, the same way that the Lord addresses Ezekiel – both had messages of warning from God; both knew that their messages would be ignored by many, but both were able to describe a future where captivity would end and God would again dwell among His people. Jesus taught his disciples to pray for that moment: “…Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” (Matthew 6:9-13). And at the end of Ezekiel’s account, with the focus on a very different future, he describes a new temple with the name, “THE LORD IS THERE.” (Ezekiel 48:35).
Prayer
Thank you eternal Father that you are on your throne, and that you have not forgotten your people. Your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Amen
Study by Maggie Mitchell
Maggie Mitchell attends the Market Harborough congregation of Grace Communion International
Local congregation:
GCI Market Harborough
9 The Point
Rockingham Road
Market Harborough
LE16 7QU
Meeting time:
Sunday 4.00 pm
Local congregational contact:
Sinead Henderson
Email: sinead.henderson@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church