August 15th - A Priestly Prophet

A Priestly Prophet

(Ezekiel 11-28; 2:1-10; 3:1-27; 4:1-17; 5;1-17; 6:1-14; 7:1-17)

The Prophet Ezekiel

18^th Century Russian Icon

Born to the ancient priestly family line of Aaron, the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel received visions directly from God. He saw the four creatures with the wheels, which some even surmised to be alien spaceships, heavenly forces, cycles of life and other meanings. The Lord spoke to Ezekiel in mighty ways, commissioning him for ministry to His people.

Of course, with great power and purpose comes significant responsibility.

"Son of man,

I have made you a watchman

for the house of Israel;

so hear the word I speak

and give them warning from me.

When I say to a wicked man,

'You will surely die,'

and you do not warn him or speak out

to dissuade him from his evil ways

in order to save his life,

that wicked man will die for his sin,

and I will hold you accountable for his blood.

But if you do warn the wicked man

and he does not turn from his wickedness

or from his evil ways,

he will die for his sin;

but you will have saved yourself.

"Again, when a righteous man

turns from his righteousness and does evil,

and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die.

Since you did not warn him,

he will die for his sin.

The righteous things he did will not be remembered,

and I will hold you accountable for his blood.

But if you do warn the righteous man

not to sin and he does not sin,

he will surely live because he took warning,

and you will have saved yourself."

(Ezekiel 3:17-21, NIV, emphasis added)

What a sobering thought.

For whom may the Lord have given us similar responsibility? What individuals has He placed in our lives, with whom He desires us to share the good news of His grace? Will God hold us responsible for telling or not telling?

Will you pray with me?

Great God,

How blessed we are

To know You

And to belong to You.

Remind us daily

Of those around us

Who may not yet

Belong to You.

Make us mindful

Of the urgency

Of Your message

Of salvation.

Surely, You desire all to be saved.

Plant the same passion

With us

For Your glory.

Amen.