Day 246

Called to Be a Prophet

Read: Ezekiel 1-3

Ezekiel was part of a group of Jews taken into exile in Babylon about 10 years before the fall of Jerusalem, so that his ministry is in Babylon at the same time Jeremiah is serving in Jerusalem. Near Babylon he has a great vision of the glory of God. A passage such as chapter 1 is called apocalyptic literature. It is a great message from God expressed in symbolic language intended to give a vivid impression of truth which cannot be fully comprehended by the mind. Historical sections of the Bible must be taken literally, but to take literally apocalyptic passages is to miss the great truth portrayed. Truly God is beyond description in human words, which in part is why Ezekiel is overwhelmed by this vision.

Being confronted by such a great God, Ezekiel falls down in worship and then hears the call of God to be his prophet. He is forewarned that he can expect great opposition because the people are a rebellious people. He is given his message in the form of a book which he is to eat. This may indicate that he must digest his message so that it becomes a part of himself. He is to speak God’s message faithfully whether the people listen or not. Further preparation for his ministry is that he must sit among his people.

God has given us a message, the gospel of Christ. We are to discern and sense where people are in order to proclaim that message effectively.

PRAYER
Father, cause all Christians to sense the call of sharing in the proclamation of the gospel. In Jesus’ name. Amen.