Ezekiel

God’s Communication

God speaks very plainly to his people in exile throughout the book of exile. He shows clear images that would grasp the attention of those he wishes to lead to repentance. He uses Ezekiel as a sign to show the impending doom that is to be upon them as they walk in sin. He proclaims time and time again that he is the LORD… the one true living Maker of heaven and earth who alone is to be feared. He proclaims after every word that his purpose in speaking to them is that they might know that he is life… speaking almost 80 times that this is so that they will know that Yahweh is sovereign God. He proclaims multiple times that he desires life for man… speaking that his word is a call to repentance. His word of destruction and justice brought upon sin is so that man will have a hope of life and restoration. His word of a promised restoration is his kindness and steadfast love that is to lead his people to repentance. God speaks in many ways the same message through Ezekiel… he offers life… he doesn’t enjoy bringing his wrath… but he must… so choose life. This is the message he is speaking… choose life, not death.

For the original readers this message would take them back to see that God is speaking so mightily to them. They have been foolish and now would realize that God’s word was right before their eyes. God was clearly communicating to them through his prophets… God was remaining faithful to his people by speaking to them… warning them that they must not walk in the sin they were enslaved to. They failed to listen… they ignored God’s word of warning. He offers restoration to them if they would be listen… if they would turn from the lies they had fallen into and give God a chance. God proved that his word was REALITY… his word was fulfilled… he is the TRUE God. In him they are offered life… and this is just the way it is. God spoke to them… and is still speaking to them… they would realize that it is time to listen.

Today God is still speaking mightily to all humanity. He has proclaimed his word in the scriptures. He fulfilled his word about Jesus and he lays before mankind a beautiful hope for salvation and everlasting life. He proclaims his timeless heart that none would perish but that all would find life in him. God is not up in heaven wishing to bring his wrath upon anyone… but the reality is that man has failed to heed his abundant warnings to listen to his call to repentance. He speaks loudly through his written word. He speaks loudly through nature… he speaks loudly through the pain and anguish in the world. The problem today is that we too are unwilling to listen. We are unwilling to heed his the written scriptures and live according to God’s Law. We are unwilling to stop all our busyness and take time to just get away with God. We are dying in today’s culture because we have ignored God’s voice. It’s not that God is failing to communicate… it’s that man fails to listen.

*This picture is the vision of God's glory that Ezekiel saw... God was speaking clearly through this abstract picture that he is mighty... he holds all power in his hands...