Sunday, February 16, 2020
Ezekiel 12: While they are looking on . . .
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In today’s Noontime we are reminded that we do not have to fight against the obstacles in life’s journey that loom so large. It tells us that when barriers to freedom are gigantic and overwhelming we cannot struggle against them. It says to us that we must turn to God in trust and obedience. We must do as Jesus does even while the naysayers are looking on.
Going into exile was an embarrassment to the “chosen” people. They who had always been miraculously protected by Yahweh now found themselves going into captivity at the hands of the very pagans whom they had previously conquered in battle. The Israelites have discovered that while they fought against the barbarian outside of the city walls, it was the enemy within that doomed them. Corruption and deceit in their own community had decayed their society to the foundation. There is no other outcome to expect than the one they are living . . . they are to pack their baggage in full view of the enemy, and then they are to dig their way through the broken walls of the city to march into captivity. And all of this while the unbelievers are looking on.
So many times we find ourselves living among rebellious people, and we sometimes cannot even tell if we have become one with the idol worshipers. We feel as though the world has gone mad and we are one of the few sane ones who remain. In our Noontime journey we have reflected on how to weather the whirlwind when we see and hear it approaching; today we reflect on how to journey faithfully into captivity . . . while the world is looking on.
There is a remnant left by Yahweh: Yet I will leave a few of them to escape the sword, famine and pestilence so that they may tell of all their abominations among the nations to which they will come; thus they shall know that I am the Lord. This just yet merciful God is always willing, and indeed eager to give his people another door to salvation, another opportunity to return. God will vindicate us even in the darkest and most painful of times even while those who deny us are looking on.
There are occasions when it seems as though we alone are able to see what others cannot. Circumstances and events speak loudly to us while they only whisper to those around us or speak not at all. The prophecy we hear and see and then repeat for others falls on stubborn ears. The world mocks those who live simply so that others may live. Society denies truth so that deception might reign. Many favor the apparent security of tangible comfort while few remain faithful to the Spirit who is willing to abide while those who wish us gone are looking on.
Ezekiel describes a vision today that seems a long way off and yet is present in the Spirit within. Ezekiel says that in a distant time to come there shall no longer be any false visions or deceitful divinations and yet this word is fulfilled by Christ in us today. Ezekiel tells us of a future in which none of God’s words will be delayed any longer and yet this future lives in us today because God loves us so . . . even while the naysayers are looking on.
Let us spend time with this prophecy today. And let us see that, despite the naysayers, Ezekiel’s vision lives in us in this present moment through the promise, the rescue and the love of God.
To read more about weathering the storms on our journey, type the word whirlwind into the search box on this blog.
The opening paragraphs of today’s Noontime were written on August 12, 2010. Today’s post is an amplification of that reflection.
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