“The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people. 3 “Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious people. 4 During the daytime, while they watch, bring out your belongings packed for exile. Then in the evening, while they are watching, go out like those who go into exile. 5 While they watch, dig through the wall and take your belongings out through it. 6 Put them on your shoulder as they are watching and carry them out at dusk. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign to the Israelites.”” Ezekiel 12:1-6 NIV
“The word of the Lord came to me: 18 “Son of man, tremble as you eat your food, and shudder in fear as you drink your water. 19 Say to the people of the land: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says about those living in Jerusalem and in the land of Israel: They will eat their food in anxiety and drink their water in despair, for their land will be stripped of everything in it because of the violence of all who live there. 20 The inhabited towns will be laid waste and the land will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”” Ezekiel 12:17-20 NIV
Lord of the Word,
Father God, in my minds eye I can see Ezekiel acting out his own version of Exile Street with a very serious message. Then I wonder if they laughed at first when he ate and trembled and spilled things and I wonder if the tone changed when he drank and shuddered in terror. You, Father, you faithfully and continually reminded them of Your judgement but then continually gave them opportunities to recognise and turn to You for help. In the past when they have turned back to You, You have always rescued them They would know the stories of their ancestor’s through the Psalms like Psalm 114. Used as part of the passover ceremony. But they had stopped practicing that.
It reminds me Father that You do not change You cannot tolerate sin and disobedience. You will judge us all (2 Corinthians 5:10). But You provide us with clemency in Jesus and an ongoing relationship. Like a loving Father and child and not Judge and jury. At great cost to yourself and through this rebellious people we are reading about! Jesus. Surely if Ezekiel could go to such lengths to give his message to those who would not listen, we can share the gospel to those around us. Ezekiel didn’t choose nicer people or people already living good lives. He told anyone who would listen. I recall William Booth (Salvation Army founder said, “Go straight for souls, and go for the worst.” He left the outcome with You. Just as we need to sow and let You miraculously bring the harvest.(1 Corinthians 3:6).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Some one once said to me as a new Christian – the only thing you can take into heaven with you is other people by introducing them to Jesus. Good time for a traditional harvest hymn.
Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
waiting for the harvest and the time of reaping—
we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;
by and by the harvest and the labor ended—
we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Chorus
Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,
though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;
when our weeping’s over He will bid us welcome—
we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Chorus . . .
Lyrics: Knowles Shaw