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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 4 of 5
Ezekiel 12:1-28
Just as Jeremiah carried a yoke on his shoulders (Jeremiah 28:10), Ezekiel is here invited to load himself with "stuff for removing", which has a similar significance. In this way, these prophets were themselves "signs" of what the LORD was going to bring to pass (v. 11). Children of God, everything in our behaviour should show our obedience to God, our character as strangers down here, and also our imminent departure . . . not into captivity, but on the contrary to our eternal home. Ezekiel is certainly questioned about his extraordinary behaviour (v. 9), as we, too, would often be if we were more faithful. Fearing to stand out from those around us, to make ourselves noticed by positive separation from the world, we lose many an opportunity to bear witness to the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15).
The strange prophecy of v. 13 is fulfilled to the letter. The blinded Zedekiah was unable to see the land of his captivity (see Jeremiah 39:7).
Vv. 26-28 tell us the way those of the house of Israel reason. Not daring to deny the prophecy which condemns them, they say that its fulfilment will be far into the future. Today also "wicked servants" seem to say to the Lord, "Defer your return as long as possible!"
