Psalms

This is How God Draws us Close

Dan

It was my observation while reading the first few chapters of Ezekiel that all of the sequencing happened in a set of visions. Now, in the passage that is the subject for this essay, Ezekiel is coming out of the visions and re-engaging with real life. He seemed startled, not anxious to leave the vision, and even grumpy about the closure.

Ezekiel 3: 12-15 says — Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound as the glory of the Lord rose from the place where it was standing. It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against each other and the sound of the wheels beside them, a loud rumbling sound. The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the Lord on me. I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Aviv near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days—deeply distressed [NIV].

I think that this transition from Vision to Real-life is a magnified version of what it is like to go on a weekend Christian retreat that is non-stop teaching and prayer. It is fun, interesting and completely engaging.  Then just as quickly as it began, it stops and we are reunited with our normal routines.   This is a hint of what Ezekiel was feeling. He is lifted up and he hears the angels making noise and they brush their wings together. The noise is deafening.

The angels crowded about to see the wisdom of God packaged up like a mantle and placed upon Ezekiel.  Their noise is a sound like clapping or tapping a table with a spoon at a meeting.  They are crowding in to get a good view.  All this was in place to reinforce the importance of the commissioning of Ezekiel.  Surely, he was also hearing them say something like blessed be the glory of the Lord God from his throne.  We praise God from the heavens, we all his angels praise him for the wisdom displayed (implied in Psalms 148:1-2)

Sometimes, when we know the depth of the calling, we may feel some reluctance. In this case, I do not think he was disobedient to the heavenly vision, not shrinking from the work, as Jonah, but was not at all pleased with the task.  He knows the audience will be exasperated by the message and will be very agitated. So, he resists but has no choice.  He is going. 

Perhaps he was aware of the hard task that Jeremiah had undertook at Jerusalem.  Perhaps he was thinking it would be just as difficult.  Perhaps he knew the opposition Jeremiah met with, how he was abused by the locals, and what poor treatment he endured, and all to no real change.  So he wonders – must I experience the same? His life as a captive was tough enough; but now he was facing the double whammy – the captive prophet to a captive nation scenario.  His self-doubt overcame common sense.  He buckled emotionally and became bitter.

What did God do?  God picked up Ezekiel by the knap of the neck and placed him square in the middle of the rebellious nation.  The hand of the Lord was strong.  Like a firm parent helping a child overcome obstacles that seem like a mountain to the child but a mere speedbump to the parent.  God prevailed and compelled Ezekiel to move forward.  God reminded Ezekiel he was well prepared. 

And so, God gently placed the pouting child in his place of ministry and provided time to digest his fear and his grief.  God helped him to heal and then begin his work. Those who God prepares for a hard job are often humbled greatly before the task begins. This is how he draws us close.   I choose Jesus.

I have made you a Watchman (Part II)

Dan

It was my observation that Ezekiel was given a profound second nickname, I addressed some of this in the first essay on this subject. In my previous essay (Part I) we examined the instructions on what to do with the rebellious Israelis. In this essay (Part II) we find the second half of the command for the watchman. Let us explore God’s instructions for the righteous under the old covenant.

Ezekiel as the watchman is told to take notice of the things God has said, not just what Ezekiel has said, but the entire counsel of God. This includes Isaiah, Jeremiah, and all the other prophets. He was not commissioned to function as a spy but to make simple observations as to the character of the righteous. It is good to assume we should listen first; earn the right to speak through our own actions and behavior; and then find a way to help people change their ways.

Ezekiel 3: 16 -17 says — At the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel” [NIV]. Ezekiel 3: 20 -21 says — “Again, when a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before them, they will die. Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin. The righteous things that person did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself.” [NIV]

As a watchman, Ezekiel is compelled to speak out what he has heard. He functions like a newsman on the evening news. He gives forth a warning, an alarm from the heavens, not in his own name, but just like a reporter should. He gives the facts, as he knows them, straight from God (Implied in Isaiah 56:10). The watchman knows the counsel of God from the scriptures and the prophets. Using the wisdom from God, we are warned (see Psalms 19:11). But in this case, Ezekiel is advised to differentiate between the rebellious and the righteous. We presume God will shape the watchman’s message to fit the audience.

Ezekiel was asked to warn people not to neglect their work and quit the service of God (see Psalms 19:11). The best men in the world occasionally need to be warned to return to the proper path. Look at what happened to Ezekiel a little earlier in this chapter (see Ezekiel 3:14). Stuff happens, God intervenes, and stuff gets better (implied in Hebrews 4:1). There are many people who start on the path, they engage in service, but then speedbumps start, and they become discouraged. They don’t become apostates, they don’t deny the existence of God, they don’t deny the ransom. They simply get discouraged and pull back. They become one of the ones Jesus spoke of as the ‘one’. The one he went after (leaving the 99 safe) to bring back into the safe haven with the rest of the flock.

They become careless and remiss in their walk with God, with worship, with scripture reading, with prayer. They become an easy target for the enemy. The restraints are removed and trouble starts. If they resist the call of Jesus to return, then the speedbumps become larger. The goal is repentance.

Ruin is coming their way. But the man of God, no matter how far off the track he is, being warned, internalizing the warning, will withdraw from sin. He will find it down deep inside — the call to return. He will respond to wisdom if he was once wise himself (implied in Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:9, Proverbs 9:12). We must never believe that we are immune from troubles and speedbumps. They are tools of choice used by God to build our strength against sin and character. They often lead to larger tasks. I choose Jesus.

I have made you a Watchman (Part 1)

Dan

It was my observation that seven days have passed since the vision of Chapter 1 started. He started that vision on a Sabbath and this session is on a sabbath.

Ezekiel 3: 16 -19 says — At the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so, hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die fortheir sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.” [NIV]

He that had been musing and meditating on the things of God all the week was fit to speak to the people in God’s name on the sabbath day, and disposed to hear God speak to him. He was eased back into the real world with him resisting (see Ezekiel 3:14). Now we see a slightly different tone. He knows his duty. He looked for a way to delay the beginning of his ministry and was rebuffed. I do not think it is wise for us to believe that we will reach a level where the taskings are easy and intimate ‘face time with the boss’ occurs often. God tells his man what the work is all about, defines his duties and places parameters on the messaging. In this regard, we should note God’s approach to leadership.

Here was Ezekiel, hanging out, having said little at this point. He went from the mountain top to the outhouse all in seven days. He is among his people when God appears again. He tells Ezekiel to get to work, the people have a right to know and a responsibility to respond. Ezekiel has been appointed the watchman, the giver of news, the disturber of their peace, a protector against thieves, he is the watchman. His job is to watch for the enemy and sound the alarm upon the first appearance of danger, he is the watchman (see Isaiah 21:8, Isaiah 62:6).

For a Roman soldier, being a watchman is a specific type of Job. It is a cut above the normal soldier. They fight the silent battle of security. They know the rules. Eyes open. Head moving. Ears open. Listening. Focus. Failure is not an option. If they are on this task, they risk the enemy sneaking up to them and taking their life. On the other hand, they are held accountable with their life for maintaining a safe perimeter. If they fail to warn about danger, they lose their life in the morning. They know their task is indispensable – they take their job seriously. They are needed (see Psalms 127:1-2). They are rewarded.

Ezekiel is very comfortable to be one on one with God, he pulls back from the crowds, even during his workday and he is comfortable to converse with God, to hear him, to commune with him. If we were looking for peace, what better place to be than talking with God. Ezekiel willingly entered into these visions; they were the eye of the Hurricane for him. No stress here! He was safe, protected, and basking in God’s glory. I could not imagine a better place to be. Where else should he desire to be? If we have experienced communion with God, I cannot imagine Ezekiel preferred anything but that. It far exceeded any mere conversing with the House of Isreal on earth.

However, we know that Ezekiel is a watchman. He is on task. He is accountable for his work. He needs to get up and speak; he needs to do the work of God. So do we. I choose Jesus.

The Goodness of God.

Dan

It was my observation while creating this essay that I smiled a lot. The goodness of God is an amazing theme to consider. Yet it is difficult to find the language to define what it means for us.

In a world of troubles — learning God is kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of good will towards his creation — is remarkably peaceful. Elohim is extremely tenderhearted; he is full of sympathy. In his goodness he presents a strong cheerful outlook, which is frank (respectful) and friendly. Imagine a world leader taking the time to help you clean your backyard, cook dinner for you, and help your children with their homework – all without us asking for help. This is God’s nature. He is inclined to be helpful.

Blessings follow Elohim wherever he hangs out. If we accept the fact that Elohim is always in all places, blessings happen everywhere all the time. He takes extreme pleasure filling our life with blessings from him. His goodness is the force behind all our blessings. If God was not the definition of goodness, I doubt we would be able to see a distinction between kindness and cruelty, mercy and justice, or love and hate.

Psalms 100:5 says — For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations [NIV]. Goodness is for all people, God’s goodness is infinite, perfect, eternal, has always been present in God. His immutable nature means his goodness never varies. He will never be more good than he is now, he will never be less good than he is now. He does not have favorites; he brings the sun and the rain to all of us. The cause of his goodness is found in his essence. His goodness is offered to all without regard to compensation (reward for good behavior).

James 3:17 says — wisdom that comes from heaven is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere [NIV]. Goodness of God is not based upon human conduct, not even in the most pure or best conduct. Rather, goodness is based upon God’s actions, God’s wisdom offered freely to all.

Isaiah 41:13 says — For I am the Lord your God [who] takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you [NIV]. Goodness overcomes fear. Sin brings us to a timid and self-conscious state of mind. We have a history of rebellion against God that drives fear. We are conditioned to embrace the fear rather than the blessings from God. We find it difficult to trust the goodness and kindness of God; we are unsure that the past will not be held against us. What do we do?

Psalms 145:8-9 says – The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made [NIV]. God’s goodness is absolute. Jesus walked on earth that He might show us the true nature of God. He taught us about the Goodness of God. From Jesus we learn how God acts toward people. Our penitent hearts encounter God’s mercy and goodness; the crushed will find His kindness overwhelming. The frightened will find shelter and forgiveness; for the lonely, they will find companionship.

The goodness of God is infinite, an overflowing font, yet God will never force His hand upon us. When we arrive as the prodigal, the feast is put into motion. The legalists slink about, seeking to disable this goodness offered, but the Father — he smiles as we enter his gates. The greatness of God brings respect, the goodness of God brings peace. We feel accepted. We fear (respect) God but are not afraid of God because of his goodness – this paradox is one of the deep mysteries of our faith.

I choose Jesus.

The Hand of the Lord was upon Him

Dan

It was my experience while assessing the Babylon exile story, Ezekiel entered this at the very beginning of the story. Ezekiel was among the first wave of captives (Much of the Hebrew nation was still in their own land). Jeremiah spoke of this first wave of exiles as the ‘good figs’ who had been initially sent to Babylon (Jeremiah 24:5). For this group of figs, God provided a prophet to bring them back to the Law. We read in Psalms 94:12 — “Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law. From this context, we could say, this first group was being pursued by God.

Ezekiel 1:1-3 paraphrased says — In my thirtieth year … the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest … in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the Lord was on him [NIV].

I think we can agree that it is an act of mercy for God to bring a message of hope to them even when they were experiencing self-inflicted trouble. Those chosen to deliver God’s message and mercy are blessed for their actions. I would be remiss if I did not make clear; it was 5 years into the exile before God provided Ezekiel (see Ezekiel 1:2). He gave the Hebrews in Babylon time to realize their need. However, at the same time, God provided Jeremiah to the Hebrews still in Jerusalem to guide them. Even in distress, God did not leave the Hebrew nation unguided, no matter how obstinate they were.

It was by the rivers of Babylon the Psalmist spoke of musicians setting down and singing songs of lamentation (see Psalm 137:1-3). What was the topic of their songs? The people who were in this area Babylon were experiencing the harshness of captivity, more important, they were feeling the national and personal judgement inflicted upon them for sin against God’s law. Yet, they were not very repentant – they continued to claim entitlement as God’s people. This accounts for Ezekiel’s assessment of their resistant heart as the cause of their woes. This theme recurs often in Ezekiel’s message

His message was a combination of condemnation, aggressive counsel to repent, and restoration (the exile would not last forever). I think God knew the message would be easier to hear if the message came from a fellow exile. For, even though God’s messenger is bound in chains, the message from God is not bound (see 2 Timothy 2:9). John the Revelator was banished to an island and yet the message from Jesus to John left the island and traveled around the globe. Paul tells us — For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:5)

Ezekiel was clearly being guided by the Holy Spirit, he tells us what he saw, what he heard, and what he felt; all of it centered on connectivity with the Spirit of God. In the first chapter, Ezekiel saw a profound vision of God, even when scripture says no man can see God and live, Ezekiel has a vision (the next best thing). This was not the first time this happened. We are reminded of visions in Isaiah Chapter 6 and Jeremiah Chapter 1. Furthermore, let us not lose sight of Moses (Exodus 34:5-7), Abraham (see Acts 7:2), and Paul (Acts 9:1-19) to name a few. They all saw, they all heard the voice of God.

It is wise for all of us to be well acquainted with God and willing to be influenced by his message. Especially if we want to be engaged in the business of bringing others to the knowledge and love for Jesus. In this context, we find the hand of God upon Ezekiel, as it was on Moses, Abraham, and the others. This kept them focused, safe, and able to press forward not crushed by resistance to the message. God’s grace was sufficient for them. Furthermore, it is sufficient for us as we press on towards that higher calling. His hand is certainly upon us. His grace will abound. I choose Jesus.

God delights in our Humility

Dan

It was my observation that one thing God is not is silent.  He is the God who is there (Jehovah Shammah). And, our God is not silent. Ezekiel tells us of the noise present just under the platform (the vault) that supports the throne. A quiet murmuring? Gentle talking amongst the angels? Nope! We are told of a roar, like the sound of rushing waters. This is not ‘quietness’; this is in your face ‘loudness’. This is a wall of sound – 125 decibels of thundering water. Enough sound to cause your body to vibrate.  The sound was like the tumult of an army. Imagine a couple of thousand soldiers carrying all types of heavy metal gear. The clanging and crunching of steel on steel. This is described as loudness at a significant decibel level. I remember once a few years back, part of my job was to bend over and walk under a wing of an F4 while the engines were running to confirm the proper installation of AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles just before a launch.  The volume was overwhelming, organs in my body vibrated, the movement of the air because of the sound was intense. Then, above all that noise and air movement, comes a voice (in my ear from a headset) – we good? the young lieutenant pilot asks.  I reply – Sir, you are clear to launch.

Ezekiel 1:22-25 says — Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome. Under the vault their wings were stretched out one toward the other, and each had two wings covering its body. When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings. Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings [NIV].

Over the heads of the angels (living creatures) we see something that is awesome. Some translate this idea as sea of ice, hail congealed like a glazer, or mountain snow that has melted and frozen again like ice. Psalms 33:14 is clear, he can see is clearly 24/7 from his throne as we move about on earth. He sees the angel wings from his throne, even though they are on the other side of the platform that supports the throne (see Ezekiel 1:23). One thing is for sure, the wings are used for flight or covering. God is above platform; the angels are below the platform. They are ready for dispatch. They are under God’s authority, subject to his plan, ready to fly on errands and such, and serve God. Then comes the eye of God attached to the wheels.

There is a chain of events which is always drawing the eye of God one way or other. Fortunately, he has a lot of eyes on the job.  Life ebbs and flows, in the same way God’s plan unfolds, but always in the stated appointed times and measures. We see things in part, we do not see all of the story.  We know of the shortcomings in our ability to see and accept them.  But we know God sees so much more.  He sees everything.  Everything!  As he sees events unfolding, he speaks, he makes known his will.

Consider the loudness of a bee when they fly near our ear, it is amazing how much noise their wings create.  Transfer that magnification of sound to four angel’s wings.  This suggests tremendous volume.  Then add in the notion of intelligent communication.  God’s voice appearing over the top of the loud waters, the mass of sound coming from the angelic wings. 

When God starts talking, the angels drop their wings in respect, their noise subsides, God’s voice now fills the space.  There will be order in the universe.  We hear the voice by opening up our ears to hear the message from the word.  I have heard testimony many times from young Christians; before I knew Jesus, the bible made little sense to me, but now when I read, God jumps off the page.  Thus, when the town crier speaks out the message of God; men yield to God or perish.  Earthly noise distorts the message, but when people respect the sound, they hear the message.  Selah.  I choose Jesus.

Fire moved Back and Forth

Dan

It has been my observation while trying to feel a small portion of the things Ezekiel must have felt when he was confronted with his throne room vision – we are called to service. He could hear and see the angels moving. Perhaps he could feel the wind and the vibrations emanating from the vision. The angels are active, they are industrious by nature, seeking the opportunity to serve. I think, on our best days, that should be our view, our singular chosen role in life – service to Jesus.

Ezekiel 1:12-14 says — Wherever the Spirit would go, they [the angels] would go, without turning as they went. The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning [NIV].

They went straight forward, looking where they were heading, they were not looking about, the singleness of their gaze revealed the singularity of their heart to the matter at hand. There was no hesitation. They moved as a community to accomplish one goal. They did not hinder each other. Each was interested in the community goal, no shining stars seeking individual glory in this group.

They moved wherever the Spirit of God beckoned, they used the wisdom God gave them to drive their motions and actions so they could implement God’s will, to serve the purpose and vision of God, to accomplish his directives. I wonder, when we read that Lucifer falls like lightning into his own ruin (see Luke 10:19), if we can assume that angels fly like lightening as they accomplish God’s work? Perhaps.

Some people I read suggest that the Spirit of God is the driver of the angels. It is their honor to be led directly by God, thus their instant obedience. I find their obedience to be awe inspiring. They are created, just as we are, yet we rebelled. They did not. Consider for a minute the honor they receive for their obedience. The angels are ‘that close’ to the one true living God. Our rebellion keeps us at a distance. Yet we know our turn is coming, soon we shall be eye to eye with God, as the angels are.

Ezekiel saw them by their own light, as if it was burning coals of fire, the amber glow reddish burn, yellow flames of fire. The heat and glow could be seen as their love and fervent zeal of service for the one true living God. Their splendor and brightness flashing like lightening could be their forcefulness against the enemies of God (similar to Psalms 18:12).

The fire moved back and forth (up and down) and it was laser bright. We know the counter point is the world of darkness, the place deeper and darker than the valley of the shadow of death, the lair of the ruler of darkness, the operational headquarters granted to Lucifer. This laser light pierces all places even the headquarters of lucifer. Angels operate in Gods shekinah glory. They conceal the reflected light for us, we see then as with a candlelight, the dim light of man. This is what we see moving around the angels. But when the arc angel shouts and we rise to go home, then we will see them clearly.

I think the appearance of the burning coals and lightening points to the wrath of God, his judgement happening at that time to the Israeli nation. The coals were scattered upon the city of Jerusalem to consume it, to level it because of their rebellion (please make a careful read of Ezekiel 10:1-22, take note of the similarities). At the same time, I think we should see the light display as a message of comfort, God is on the job, taking care of business, bringing truth and light into the darkness of this present trouble. To the one this fire is bright, it is very reviving and refreshing; to the other, out of the fire comes fresh lightning to destroy them. Rejoice, bow down and be grateful we are on the right side of the fence.

I choose Jesus.