Scripture
3 They say to the people, ‘Is it not a good time to build houses? This city is like an iron pot. We are safe inside it like meat in a pot.’(Ezekiel 11:3)
Observation
The Israelites would put meat in an iron pot to keep animals from eating it and to slow the decay. Ezekiel was sent by God to tell his own people that destruction was coming because of their sin. At that time, there was no indication of the suffering to come. The people were told by their leaders that they were safe. The economy was great! “Go ahead and build your houses, plan for a long future here; nothing can harm us.” The atmosphere felt safe. Why would they need to repent and change? Things were fine the way they were. Ezekiel was a crazy old kill-joy.
What did God say to this?
11 No, this city will not be an iron pot for you, and you will not be like meat safe inside it. I will judge you even to the borders of Israel, 12 and you will know that I am the Lord. For you have refused to obey my decrees and regulations; instead, you have copied the standards of the nations around you.” (Ezekiel 11:11)
Application
Does this sound familiar? Why were these people so hard to reach? Because they did not need anything. Their life was moving along just fine, thank-you, why should they listen to a crazy old man tell them bad things were going to happen? Why should our friends and family listen to us when we tell them they need Jesus in their lives? We have everything we need here in our blessed America! Life is good. Sure, there are small signs that things are falling apart, but it doesn’t affect our lives directly, so shut-up and leave us alone.
I am glad I am not called to be Ezekiel to America! So, what can I do? What am I called to do? What will bring my friends to their knees in worship to God before it is too late? I know this will sound mundane but here it goes: Kindness. There is a wonderful song that says, “It’s your kindness, Lord, that leads us to repentance.” How true this is. If I treat everyone in my life as I would treat Jesus, I am HIS representative here to a people dying in their abundance.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank-you for allowing me to live in a land of plenty. Thank-you that we do not feel hunger or thirst or extreme heat or cold. There are so many places in this world I could have been born. Help me to always remember how much I need You. Help me to present You to people that need you in a way that is kind. Help me to be Your representative.
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