Devotion

QT 11/07/2024 Thu. Ezekiel 2. Share His message with assurance.

QT 11/07/2024 Thu. Ezekiel 2
READ http://www.esvbible.org/eze2

MEDITATION: With the phrase, "Son of man" (Ezek 2:1), the LORD reminded Ezekiel that he was only a created being and as such, the LORD could order him to "stand on your feet" (Ezek 2:1).

The LORD reminded Ezekiel to be obedient to His order (Ezek 2:8). This was contrasted with Israel and "nations," who were "rebels" (Ezek 2:3), transgressors (Ezek 2:3), "impudent and stubborn" (Ezek 2:4) and "a rebellious house" (Ezek 2:5,6,7,8).

REFLECTION: Would the label "a rebellious house" fit us today?

Ezekiel was asked to preach, "whether they hear or refuse to hear" (Ezek 2:5), repeated in Ezek 2:7.

APPLICATION: Do not be afraid of the rebellious, "their words" or "their looks" (Ezek 2:6). "Eat" and internalise God's words (Ezek 2:8) and faithfully preach it to the "nations of rebels" today (Ezek 2:3).

We need not attempt (and are unable) to imitate Ezekiel's call and responses in the minutest details. God has a specific function for each of us. You bring to ministry your specific experiences, backgrounds and insights that only some of you all can contribute. You might term it your special call. The same Spirit that moves, described in this book of Ezekiel's, would prompt you to discover the same too.

Even though the assignment was difficult, God showed Ezekiel the task ahead, motivated him to move ahead and assured him of the divine help that would strengthen and accompany him for what was basically an unpopular assignment.

星期四 2024年7月11日今日读经：以西结书2章
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/eze/2/

听以西结书2章
https://www.bible.com/bible/41/eze.2

默想：“人子啊！”(结2:1) 耶和华的这句话，提醒了以西结，他只不过是个被造之物，因此耶和华可以命令他“站起来”(结2:1)。

耶和华提醒以西结要听祂的吩咐(结2:8)。这与以色列和“列国”那些“叛逆国民”(结2:3)、得罪神的(结2:3)、“顽固和心里刚硬”的(结2:4)、和“叛逆的民族”(结2:5,6,7,8)形成了对比。

反思：今天，“叛逆的民族”这样的标签是否是在形容我们？

以西结被呼召去传道，“他们或听或不听”(结2:5)，这句话在结2:7重复出现。

应用：不要害怕那叛逆的，“他们讲的话”或“他们的模样”(结2:6)。“吃下”并内化神的话语(结2:8)，忠心地给今天的“叛逆国民”(结2:3)传讲神的信息。

我们不必试图（也无法）在最微小的细节上模仿以西结的呼召和回应。神对我们每个人都给与特定的功能。你们将自己的特殊经历、背景和洞察力带到事奉中，而这些只有你们中的一些人才能贡献出来。你们可以称之为自己的特殊呼召。以西结书中所描述的感动之灵也会促使你们发现同样的使命。

尽管任务艰巨，但上帝向以西结指明了前方的任务，激励他勇往直前，并向他保证，神的帮助会增强他的力量，陪伴他完成这项基本上不受欢迎的任务。