“Now, son of man, take a sharp sword and use it as a barber’s razor to shave your head and your beard. Then take a set of scales and divide up the hair. 2 When the days of your siege come to an end, burn a third of the hair inside the city. Take a third and strike it with the sword all around the city. And scatter a third to the wind. For I will pursue them with drawn sword. 3 But take a few hairs and tuck them away in the folds of your garment. 4 Again, take a few of these and throw them into the fire and burn them up. A fire will spread from there to all Israel.” Ezekiel 5:1-4 NIV
Father of all mankind,
What a drama to watch for those who sought Ezekiel out to see what he would do next. To shave in public not just his beard but also his head. Ezekiel was a priest and as such there were rules and laws about not cutting hair and shaving! “Priests must not shave their heads or shave off the edges of their beards or cut their bodies.” Leviticus 21:5. And shockingly You told Ezekiel to use a sharp sword, not a shaving tool, an implement of violence and war.
You, Lord did not flower over or dilute Your words of warning, judgement and consequences. You, God have not changed. But here in just 15 words You show compassion, faithfulness and salvation. But take a few hairs and tuck them away in the folds of your garment.
Hope for the listeners and a whisper of what was to come, “ Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ” Colossians 3:1-3. We are in Christ like those few shaved hairs. Tucked in close to Your heart. Enabled by a cross, another weapon of man, not a sword. Safe from Your judgement Lord because Christ has covered us with His holiness.
Actions speak louder than words. still many ignored Ezekiel’s drama. We thank you God that we are safe from judgement. That thousands, nay millions round the word heeded Jesus action on the cross and cling to You. We earnestly pray Father, You will draw many, many more to Yourself in Christ.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Sunday 31st August 2025
Thank you for saving me, what can I say?
You are my everything, I will sing your praise.
You shed your blood for me, what can I say?
You took my sin and shame,
a sinner called by name.
Great is the Lord,
Great is the Lord,
For we know your truth has set us free,
You’ve set your hope in me.
Mercy and grace are mine, forgiven is my sin,
Jesus my only hope, the Saviour of the world.
“Great is the Lord” we cry,
God let your kingdom come,
Your word has let me see,
thank you for saving me!
Chorus . . .
Lyrics: Martin Smith