EZEKIEL’S CALL AND COMMISSION.
There are four distinct positions in which we find Ezekiel that seem to characterise the state and privilege of the Christian in a very striking way.
I. We see Him as an Exile. "I was among the captives" (chap. Mat_1:1). He had his place among those who were helplessly shut out. This is a humbling position, but we must take our place among sinners and rebels if we would see the salvation of God. No good can come by denying that we are captives. It is no use boasting of liberty when we know that our lives are enslaved by lust and sin, by the pleasures and fashions of the world. While among the captives he said, "The heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God" (chap. Mat_1:1). The heavens will always open and visions of God be given to those who acknowledge their true state before God and look up. The sum of the likeness was "the likeness of a man" (Mat_25:5). All satisfying vision is in the revelation of Him who is the Man Christ Jesus. In Him we get a vision of God. He is the image of the invisible God. "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father" (Joh_14:9). What a vision this is! It is the opening up before our eyes of the love, mercy, power, and glory that dwell in the great and gracious heart of God. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Mat_5:8).
II. We see Him as an Ambassador. Having seen God, he is now to be prepared as a messenger for God. We testify what we have seen.
1. He is Called. "Stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee" (chap. Mat_2:1). He is now face to face with God, and must have to do with His Word. God speaks to us before we are sent to speak for Him.
2. He is Helped. "The Spirit entered into me when He spake unto me" (Mat_25:2). The Spirit always enters when God speaks. His Word is with power. The result of both is a setting up. We are never properly set up till we have heard the Word of God in the power of the Holy Ghost. After this we are in the right attitude to hear (Mat_25:2).
3. He is Commissioned. "And He said, Son of man, I will send thee" (Mat_25:3-4). The commission comes after being taught of God by the entering of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Ghost-the great Teacher come from God- ‘rested upon the early disciples before they became witnesses for Him. The secret of authority and power for service lie in these words, "I send thee."
4. He is Filled with His Message. "Son of man, eat this roll, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee" (chap. Mat_3:1-3). Even the Word of God will not have much power at our lips if we have not eaten it for ourselves The truth as it is in Jesus must be in us as the strength and satisfaction of our own hearts if it is to influence others.
5. He is Encouraged. "Son of man, be not afraid of them, neither of their words" (chap. Mat_2:6). It is so needful that the servant of God should find all his succour in Himself, because the words and faces of those to whom He is sent are often very stout. He is to "speak My words, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear" (Mat_25:7).
6. He is Led and Empowered. "The Spirit lifted me up, and I went in bitterness, but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me" (chap. Mat_3:12-14). Filled with the Word of God, and led by the Spirit of God in bitterness and sorrow. How Christlike is this experience before us here. Ezekiel was obedient to the guiding Spirit, and the hand of almighty power was upon Him. The willing servant will have his reward (1Co_9:16).
III. We see Him as a Watchman. In chapter Mat_3:17 we hear God saying to him, "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman." To be a watchman for God we must have the eye-opening, soul-transforming vision of God (Act_9:1-15). We must be lifted high up by the Holy Spirit, far above all principalities and powers. Those in the valley cannot see afar off. We need to be raised and seated with Christ in the heavenlies before we can see men and things as they really are in the sight of God. The work of the watchman is-
1. A Work of Warning. "To warn the wicked of his wicked way" (Mat_25:18), and also to warn the backsliding righteous man (Mat_25:20). Sinners are to be warned to flee from the wrath to come, and Christians to beware of becoming a stumbling-block by an un-Christlike life. It also is-
2. A Work of Great Responsibility. "His blood will I require at thy hand" (Mat_25:20). Are our hands and garments clean?
IV. We see Him as a Sign. "I have set thee for a sign" (chap. Mat_12:1-7). In these verses the words "in their sight" occur seven times. Ezekiel was to live before the people as a sign for God. Ye are epistles of Christ, known and read of all men. Every Christian is to be a sign to the world of the grace and power of God. The life is the light. A sign is a silent testimony. It may be the look of love, or the sigh of sympathy. A tear has often melted the hardened heart. God commanded the prophet, saying, "Sigh, therefore, thou son of man; sigh before their eyes" (chap. Mat_21:6). It is easier to be a watchman than a sign; easier telling men what they ought to do than sighing over their sins and wickedness. Paul was a true sign when he wrote, "I tell you, even weeping" (Php_3:18). The men who sigh and cry are marked men (chap. Mat_9:4). "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Mat_5:4). May God by His Holy Spirit lift us up into the compassion and tenderness of Him who wept over Jerusalem!
Autor: James Smith