A Call To Serve!

"Ezekiel's Call" from Chapters 1-3 • The main theme of the Book of Ezekiel, although not the only one, is the restoration of Israel, a nation that had turned to rebellion and sin. Ezekiel, through what seemed a bizarre vision, was called to warn the people that Jerusalem would be turned to rubble and terror. And it was coming soon. Ezekiel Chapter 2 and 3 begins to record what God said to Ezekiel as part of his vision of God’s glory (see Ezekiel Chapter 1). In a way, these chapters contain his “mission call.” As you read the way the Lord described Ezekiel’s mission and the people he was called to teach, consider how the prophet of God calls a missionary today.

Understanding the Scriptures and wording used:

Ezekiel Chapter 2:

Impudent (v. 4)

Proud

Forbear (vv. 5, 7)

Refuse to listen and obey

Briers and thorns (v. 6)

Prickly weeds (a symbol for the trouble people might give Ezekiel when he delivers his messages)

Scorpions (v. 6)

Poisonous creature (a symbol of wicked people that Ezekiel will preach to)

Dismayed (v. 6)

Afraid

Lamentations, mourning, woe (v. 10)

Sadness

Ezekiel 2:9–10 to 3:1–3; —The Lord Asked Ezekiel to Eat a Scroll *The description of Ezekiel eating a scroll could be a symbolic one representing his calling to teach the Lord’s word by literally making the word of God part of his being; digesting the word of God which is our spiritual nourishment. The book of Revelation records a time when the Apostle John had a similar experience (see Revelation 10).

Ezekiel Chapter 3:

Hearkened, hearken (vv. 6–7)

Listened and obeyed

Heat (v. 14)

Anger

Watchman (v. 17)

A man standing on the wall of a city watching for enemies and warning the people in the city

But his blood will I require at thine hand (vv. 18, 20) 

You will be held responsible for his sins

Delivered (vv. 19, 21)

Saved

I lay a stumblingblock before him (v. 20)

I cause him to fall

Cleave (v. 26)

Stick

Dumb (v. 26)

Unable to speak

Reprover (v. 26)

One who corrects another

I know in my life when I feel called to do something, like teach a class or serve in a ministry area, I am more confident in the abilities God has given me to use in whatever the capacity is. People are called by different methods. Ezekiel was called through a vision. You might be called through a whisper, a mighty voice from God, or a quiet communication from the Holy Spirit.

• God wants our lives to be committed to Him before He can show us His plans.

• God does have a plan for our lives.

• God can (and most likely will) change or modify our plans so we will go in the direction of His will for us.

• God calls all believers to make disciples.

• God will provide open doors, but we must actively look for them.

• God wants us to ask Him for direction, guidance, and wisdom.

It is through reading our Bible, listening to the Holy Spirit, and waiting on God in prayer we will know what to do, where to go, how to get there, and how to act. We must patiently watch for doors of ministry to open. When God is calling us to do something for Him, He will do what is needed to get accomplish His purpose.

{God will: Confirm His will, Get us into position, Change our plans if necessary, and Get us going in the right direction}

I wish I could say it is always a pleasant experience. Sometimes it is, but in Ezekiel’s case, obeying his call to service was not an easy ride for him, but being obedient to God was more important to him than his personal comfort — as it should be for us too! Let us dig into The Holy Word, encouraging and teaching one another through the power of technology, and let us use it for God's glory. I believe God is wanting a restoration of our nation to take place, before His soon return.