April 5: BEFORE THE FINAL ASSAULT (part 1)

Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll . . . and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness. Ezekiel 3:1,2,3b

Jesus, whose name is The Word of God (Revelation 19:13), instructs His followers to internalize His word. You and I, like Ezekiel, are also to eat what you [and I] find in His word, for the Lord said: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51)

Ezekiel’s ministry to his fellow Hebrews, as a priest and as a prophet, occurred during the darkest days of Judah’s history: the seventy-year period of Babylonian captivity. Ezekiel was carried off to Babylon, along with other Hebrew captives, before the final Babylonian assault on Jerusalem. The LORD God spoke directly to him, providing him with a vision of an itemized list of national sins that had invited the divine judgements against the people of God:

“I will do to them according to their way, And according to what they deserve I will judge them: Then they shall know that I am the LORD!” Ezekiel 7:27b

A vision commences in chapter 8, listing various idolatries, false accusations against the LORD, and other pagan practices, all of which are abominations particularly offensive to Him. Each item on the list is progressively more offensive, the most offensive being sun worship (v.16). God, in His omniscience, knew that such practices would continue right up to the end of earth’s history. He asks, “Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here?” (v.17)

In these last days, many Christians who claim to worship the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5), and with full access to the Word, will trivialize and explain away unbiblical practices by saying that it doesn’t matter to God any more. This kind of response is an affront to His Word, leaving the impression that He does not really mean what He says. Beloved, if you and I fear and reverence Him, we will tremble at His Word!

For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” says the LORD. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.” Isaiah 66:2