September 6, 2026 Ezekiel 33:7-9
Dear Friends in Christ,
What do you know about Ezekiel? Is he just another name in the Bible to you? Did you know God called him to speak his words to hard-headed, strong-willed people? Did you know that God tells him that people will rebel against the truth he will speak? Did you know that God calls him to speak and then makes him mute so that he only speaks when God tells him? Did you know God had Ezekiel do this bazaar thing – lie on his left side for 390 days to bear the punishment for Israel and then lie on his right side for 40 days to bear the punishment of Judah? He also was told to shave beard and head and cook his food over cow dung? Did you know? Did you know all that?
Whew. Let’s ask for volunteers. Who would like to be Ezekiel? This prophet vocation does not come with a great job description. It can be disgusting and dangerous. Frustrating and fruitless. Nobody wants to listen. Do you want to be Ezekiel? I am not sure that Ezekiel wanted to be Ezekiel.
So, where do you and I fit into this biblical story? We will start with the vocation I have been called to. In my office at church and my office at home I have the same framed wall hanging and it says, “Preach the truth, no matter what.” God asks me to be faithful no matter the consequences or the number of fannies in the pews. I am called by God to do the work of His Kingdom. I am Ezekiel.
You are Ezekiel. Now before you go all “I didn’t sign up for this, you better check your records Pastor.” Oh, you sound just like Ezekiel. He uttered, “I am not qualified or trained.” But the Lord sends you from pew into the world. Sheep among wolves. Armed with God’s Holy Word, yet knowing it could cause anger among those you share it with.
It can be a little daunting to be Ezekiel. Tough duties are before us. How can we do it? Of course, with some help.
“GOD QUALIFIES US TO BE HIS EZEKIEL”
We are unqualified. Lost and condemned sinners. Things we’ve left done and left undone. Why me, Lord? How can you send this “chief of sinners though I be?” Maybe my application got put in the wrong pile. Can I talk to your secretary? Somebody is going to find out I am not really the person they think I am.
Then look where the Big Man wants to send me. The landscape of this world is no manicured English garden. It’s a mess and my little rake can’t clean it up. I am going to need an army of bulldozers. It’s a terrible, mixed-up society and my presence can always make matters worse.
We are as bad as the people we are sent to. Itching ears that want to hear God’s Word the way we want it. Wanting to bulldoze sense into people, when maybe they need compassion and someone who will listen. This Lord, boy has He miscalculated my worth. I am unworthy. I can’t be Ezekiel. All true, Kemosabe…but did we mention Ezekiel felt the same way and said the same things.
Ezekiel, you, I – all unqualified. Yet the Lord qualifies us and sends us anyway. He knows our sin and the inability to control it. He knows and He sends the light of His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, to pierce the darkness of the world and the darkness of our flesh. He dwelt among us to take on the landscape of sin, death, and Satan in our place. He journeys to the cross and lays his life on the line for ours. We are redeemed – bought back – and our soul is restored. From darkness to light. Called out. We belong to Him. People of God. Called to this new reality.
Ezekiel, you, I – now qualified. Not by our works or our lips. God has qualified us by the blood of Jesus. This blood washes away the sin – the done and the undone – and brings us into the Kingdom of God. Qualified to be called His children. Qualified to be servants of the Gospel. Preparing us to be Pastors, teachers, lights of the world.
Ezekiel delivered his soul when he spoke the message of the Lord. That is all he was asked to do. Most didn’t listen, but those who did were brought into the kingdom by God. He was sent to a hostile environment by a directive delivered by God Himself. God does the same for us. He wants us to get out into this adversarial climate we habitate and be about His business. It is no stroll in the garden and people will throw mud and curses upon you, but it is what He expects from us. As His children we do our work and live in His grace poured out on the cross.
We appreciate you coming in today. We have read over your qualifications and well . . . we got word from the man upstairs, you are good to go because of Jesus. Welcome aboard, Ezekiel, we hope you will be happy for years to come!
Amen.