Reflections Reading EzekielSampel

Ezekiel is one of the more unusual prophets, and he brings to light some very interesting and revolutionary prophetic insights.  We will look at some in this short series of reflections.  Ezekiel, a major prophet, prophesied to Israel when he and they were in exile in Babylon - speaking of their past, about their present, and to their future.  It is not an understatement to say he appeared at times an odd creature, or at least some of his actions were - odd, that is.  He prophesied with graphic actions; like when he lay on his side for 430 days, cooking his food over cow dung (an improvement on what he was first faced with, using his own dung), and in vivid pictures such as the valley of dry bones.  His descriptions of heavenly scenes and creatures are fantastical, even disturbing, showing that the best of language is inadequate to truly describe the wonders he saw.  For instance, Eze 1:28 states, “Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.”  ‘Appearance’ and ‘likeness’ alert us to the fact that he was doing his utmost to describe the virtually indescribable.  Can words ever capture the wonder and majesty of the glory of God?  

Ezekiel spoke to the nation of their sins and subsequent judgment, as well as of God’s glorious future for his people.  It is Ezekiel who spoke of the reign of the Spirit, and of a new heart being put in God’s people – things that are taken up/fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.  

He saw into heaven and far into the future.  It would be true to say that when we look into the heavens, we too will be able to see into our future; if not in Ezekiel’s graphic terms, then at least with prophetic prescience.  Heavenly mindedness is of immense earthly value; we do, after all, need our head in the clouds and our feet on the ground. Being heavenly-minded is of real earthly significance, hence our prayer, “your kingdom come, your will be done - on earth as it is in heaven.”