Called to Fail?

Ezekiel 2:1 – 3:

“Stand up, son of man,” said the voice. “I want to speak with you.”  The Spirit came into me as he spoke, and he set me on my feet. I listened carefully to his words.  “Son of man,” he said, “I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been rebelling against me to this very day.  They are a stubborn and hard-hearted people. But I am sending you to say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for remember, they are rebels—at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.

“Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don’t be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels. You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. But they won’t listen, for they are completely rebellious! Son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not join them in their rebellion. Open your mouth, and eat what I give you.”

Then I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me. It held a scroll, which he unrolled. And I saw that both sides were covered with funeral songs, words of sorrow, and pronouncements of doom.

The voice said to me, “Son of man, eat what I am giving you—eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to the people of Israel.”  So I opened my mouth, and he fed me the scroll. “Fill your stomach with this,” he said. And when I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.

Then he said, “Son of man, go to the people of Israel and give them my messages.

Today, we begin our introduction to Ezekiel, another of the Major prophets.  He was a contemporary of Jeremiah, but primarily spoke to Israel and other surrounding countries where Jeremiah was focused on Judah.  Ezekiel was exiled himself and much of his prophecy comes from exile.

The above scripture is an account of Ezekiel’s call.  If you ask me, it is quite depressing.  The gist of God’s call is this; I, God, am calling you to be a prophet to Israel, but just know, no one will listen to what you say.  But at least they will know God sent them a prophet.  Imagine yourself at the beginning of a career.  Imagine God coming to you on the morning of first day and saying the following to you:  “I want to thank you for stepping up and investing the next few decades to this career.  Just so you know, your investment won’t change anything and people will hate you for doing it, but do the work anyway.  Thanks again!”

This is stripping down obedience to bare bones.  Obey the call of God for no other reason than it is God who calls him.   This is obedience with no promise of something in it for old Zeke.  Actually, there is something – scowls, threats, deaf ears, and rebellion.  Could I say yes to such a call?  I have to say that, honestly, I don’t know.  I did say yes to God’s call thirty years ago because it was God calling but I also had hopes of making a difference.  And while the difference I’ve made has been rather modest, at least there is the sense that my efforts have accomplished something.  Furthermore, while I’ve been the recipient of people questioning my motives, unfair criticism, and even outright rejection, the overwhelming response to my efforts has been positive.  Could I keep going without any of that accomplishment or affirmation?  I fear the answer might be no.  Ezekiel’s obedience is Mount Everest to my speedbump.  How about you?

So there it is . . .at least some of it.  Ezekiel’s unaffirmed obedience continues to paint a target of obedience for which the rest of us can aim.  The truth that Ezekiel’s life expresses is that obedience to God is it’s own reward.  And while that truth is beyond the full grasp of most of us, it is truth nonetheless.  I’ll keep reaching and I’ll invite you to do the same.

Prayer:  God, when you call us, you’re primary requirement is not results, but obedience.  Help us be faithful. Amen.

Prayer Focus:  Pray for all those elected to public office last week.  Yes, even the ones you didn’t vote for. 

Song:  All My Days – Rita Springer