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Readings: Ezekiel 2:8-3:11; Ephesians 4:7-16; Matthew 9:9-13
In the name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
The prophet Ezekiel lived in Babylon 500some years Before Christ. He had been carted away from his home land of Israel by the Babylonian king, from the temple of Jerusalem where he was supposed to be a priest. God was about to allow His temple to be destroyed. For though He is slow in anger and abounding in steadfast love (Exodus 34:6, etc.) He will act, just like a parent, to curb his rebellious child’s bad behaviour for their own good. He will punish his child for the sake of saving and teaching his child (Deuteronomy 8:1-10, 16). And so after 100s of years of prophets warning His people to repent and live in His covenanted love for them, He brought the forewarned consequences down on them (Deuteronomy 8:11-20). Exile (Deuteronomy 4:25-27; Nehemiah 1:8; Leviticus 26:27-33). Destruction of their land, city, and temple (Deuteronomy 28:58-64). Ezekiel was a priest. He had been exiled from his calling, his duty. Yet in Babylon he received a different calling from Lord: to be prophet (Ezekiel 1:1-3; 2:1-3:4), a speaker of His Word.
In the name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
The prophet Ezekiel lived in Babylon 500some years Before Christ. He had been carted away from his home land of Israel by the Babylonian king, from the temple of Jerusalem where he was supposed to be a priest. God was about to allow His temple to be destroyed. For though He is slow in anger and abounding in steadfast love (Exodus 34:6, etc.) He will act, just like a parent, to curb his rebellious child’s bad behaviour for their own good. He will punish his child for the sake of saving and teaching his child (Deuteronomy 8:1-10, 16). And so after 100s of years of prophets warning His people to repent and live in His covenanted love for them, He brought the forewarned consequences down on them (Deuteronomy 8:11-20). Exile (Deuteronomy 4:25-27; Nehemiah 1:8; Leviticus 26:27-33). Destruction of their land, city, and temple (Deuteronomy 28:58-64). Ezekiel was a priest. He had been exiled from his calling, his duty. Yet in Babylon he received a different calling from Lord: to be prophet (Ezekiel 1:1-3; 2:1-3:4), a speaker of His Word.
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