Ezekiel 12

Ezekiel 12:3, 6 ESV

As for you, son of man, prepare for yourself an exile's baggage, and go into exile by day in their sight. You shall go like an exile from your place to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house.

In their sight you shall lift the baggage upon your shoulder and carry it out at dusk. You shall cover your face that you may not see the land, for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel."

In this chapter God calls Ezekiel to use drama to convey the Lord's message to his people. Ezekiel's life becomes the message. When the people of God can't, or won't hear God's word as it is preached, another form of communication is used.

God has a message of judgment for his people. It's not a popular message. It's not a feel good message. It's not a message they want to hear. But, when they see Ezekiel acting out this strange drama, they have to ask. When they ask what it means, Ezekiel is ready with the message.

Perhaps that's what the scripture means when it instructs us to be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us (1Peter 3:15). Perhaps that's why Jesus said that the world would be convinced that we are his disciples when they see that we have love for one another. In a sense, our lives, not our preaching and teaching, are our real message to the world. That raises the question: What do they actually see?

Father, today my my life reflect Jesus to my wife, my friends and my world.

By His grace,
Rick Weinert