Yesterday a friend and I talked about how God’s Spirit shines light on His Word. Paul wrote,
“… God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
Christ in us helps us understand His Word and come to know Him, since He is the Word.
Without Him, Ezekiel’s message would make no sense.
“Now, son of man, take a sharp sword and use it as a barber’s razor to shave your head and your beard. Then take a set of scales and divide up the hair” (Ezekiel 5:1).
This first verse of Ezekiel chapter 5 reminds me of something in Scripture called a “Nazirite vow.”
Moses originally gave instructions for the vow to Israel.
“If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of dedication to the Lord as a Nazirite, they must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or other fermented drink. … During the entire period of their Nazirite vow, no razor may be used on their head. They must be holy until the period of dedication to the Lord is over; they must let their hair grow long” (Numbers 6:2-3, 5).
- There are other requirements listed in subsequent verses in Numbers 6.
- Whatever specific meanings these requirements had in their culture, God clearly states the vow’s purpose.
- A person who makes this vow promises to set themselves apart to God.
- Essentially during this time of dedication to the Lord, the person sets themselves apart from cultural norms.
- They must keep their minds and thoughts clear.
- They must not concern themselves with outward appearances.
- They must focus on God more than on what people expect them to do.
*How and why might we take such a vow today?
“When the days of your siege come to an end, burn a third of the hair inside the city. Take a third and strike it with the sword all around the city. And scatter a third to the wind. For I will pursue them with drawn sword. But take a few hairs and tuck them away in the fold of your garment. Again, take a few of these and throw them into the fire and burn them up. A fire will spread from there to all Israel” (Ezekiel 5:2-4).
- Ezekiel dedicates himself to God and His purposes (in this case, to illustrate God’s judgment).
- As when a Nazirite shaved his head at the end of his consecration to God, Ezekiel also shaved his head.
- God gave Ezekiel specific instructions to further demonstrate His judgment to Israel.
- God will judge Israel’s sin in multiple ways.
- Jesus’ revelation to the apostle John describes multiple aspects of God’s final judgment on a sinful world. (the Bible book we call Revelation)
- God will strike, pursue, and set fire to the wicked.
Is it a stretch to say God pursues His people with a sword, tucks some away, and burns with fire?
Jesus is the foundation and Word of God.
- He pursues His people
“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them” (Ezekiel 34:11).
- God pursues His people with a sword.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:12-13).
- He refines His people with fire.
“Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for’” (Isaiah 6:6-7).
- God tucks away a few for Himself.
So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace” (Romans 11:5).
“He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young” (Isaiah 40:11).
“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
*What picture do these images provide regarding our Christian life and walk with God?
*How has God pursued you, refined you, and gathered you close to Himself?
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her. Yet in her wickedness she has rebelled against my laws and decrees more than the nations and countries around her. She has rejected my laws and has not followed my decrees” (Ezekiel 5:5-6).
- God acknowledges sin and wickedness have entered and prevail in the world.
- His judgment here is specifically against Israel’s rebellion and rejection of God.
- God’s law is higher than human “righteousness”.
- That said, to obey and enter into relationship and follow God’s law is what He desires.
“To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:22b-23a).
“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6).
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:13).
*Through Ezekiel, what is God’s call and charge to us?
*What have we learned so from Ezekiel about God and His character?
*How does this draw us to worship God more?