Read: Ezekiel 4-5
Verse chosen for reflection:
15 Then he said to me, “See, I assign to you cow's dung instead of human dung, on which you may prepare your bread.”
Reflect
The dung business came about when God commanded the prophet Ezekiel to do a mega object lesson to illustrate Israel's sin and unfaithfulness. The prophet was to create a mini simulation of Babylonian siege over Israel and lie on his sides for 430 days. Through the 430 days, the prophet Ezekiel was to make food for himself by cooking barley cake over human dung. The human dung was to act as cooking fuel.
The prophet Ezekiel obeyed God for most part of His command, but raised objection to using human dung as fuel. To the prophet, this was ritually, a very unclean act which he was not prepared to do. God then allowed Ezekiel to use cow dung instead for the fuel. The prophet's objection was out of reverence for God; and not because the prophet had specific personal distaste for human dung over cow dung.
It strikes me that the prophets of old had a very hard life. In carrying their messages from God to the people, they had to do all sorts of things and bear with all sorts of persecutions. Yet, these prophets like Ezekiel chose to do what is good and right. They did not only do all that the Lord commanded blindly. They agreed with the Lord about the seriousness of sin and the desperate need for the people to repent. Their perseverance and commitment were extraordinary and we can only conclude that it was possible only by the strength of God.
God was not only commanding the prophet to do a very difficult object lesson. He looked after his welfare and ensured that the prophet had enough provisions to sustain the 430 days. God even allowed the prophet some leeway to use cow dung instead of human dung.
Relate
Today's reflection is applicable to all who are called to serve God in various ministries and places. Not only for pastors and pastoral staff, but also for all worshippers and leaders in the church.
When the Lord calls us to serve, He provides. He will look after our basic needs not just in terms of food; but also the emotional and spiritual resources necessary to do His work.
God's calling for us sometimes (or should I say most of the time?) takes us to difficult places. It might be things we have not done before. It might be things we are uncomfortable of doing or even "touching" (like dung!).
Yet, we learn from the prophet Ezekiel that the proper response to God's call for our lives is obedience. We obey and try to do what is good and right. We obey and remain faithful to the word of God for our spiritual walk with Him. We obey and talk to God frequently and sometimes God show us the better way.
Then, we find joy in serving. Then we find fulfilment knowing that we are doing things that matter for eternity because no matter how difficult the work is, it is ordained by God. It is called by God and so it fulfils His purpose. Nothing on this earth can beat that in terms of job description and value. It is working for the Almighty and for an eternal value. Nothing else can come close to that.
So the only thing we can say at the end of it all, be it as uncomfortable and difficult it can be; is "thank you Lord; it is such a privilege".
Rest
Yes. Thank you Lord for the privilege to serve you in whatever manner you want me to serve. Be it putting back the chairs and tables after community lunch, be it shepherding persons who are not really interested in discipleship, be it speaking over the pulpit despite struggling with years of stage fright, be it what others see as mundane administrative matters, You are always there to guide. Like the prophet Ezekiel, help me to show reverence and obedience to You. Help me to do all things for the sake of Your glory. Amen.
Jason
Comments
Post a Comment