Ezekiel 20 | Wayfarer

But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
Exodus 20:14 (NIV)

I have a vivid memory of being at a high school football game. While at the game I happened to strike up a conversation with a kid from another school who was hanging out with friends from our school. There was a natural affinity between the two of us and I ended up introducing myself to him.

“Oh, yeah, I’ve heard of you,” he said. “You’re the guy who always calls the cops and tells them where the parties are to get people in trouble.”

Apparently my reputation as an outspoken follower of Jesus and my lack of participation in said parties led to me being scapegoated as the snitch anytime a party got raided. I was shocked by this since it was utterly false, but it would not be the last time it happened.

Throughout my life journey, I have experienced seasons in which I found out that I was the object of slander which is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as “a false and malicious statement or report about someone.” It is never fun, but it has taught me three important life lessons. First, positions of leadership of any kind in any human system inherently come with a target on your back. Second, you can’t control what other people say about you, and running around trying to do so is a fool’s errand. Finally, and most importantly, I am called to simply press on following in the footsteps of Jesus and His example of operating daily in the fruit of the Spirit. This includes, of course, forgiving and blessing those who slander you.

“Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re talking about.”

In today’s chapter, God gives the elders of Israel a message through Ezekiel in which He walks them through the history of His covenant relationship with them. There’s a repetitive cycle in which God gives them His guidelines for life, they refuse to follow the guidelines, and God acts in response to their unfaithfulness. In each case, He states that their slanderous rejection of Him “profaned” His name. Zeke even makes mention of specific instances in which Kings of Israel took God’s specific guideline to consecrate the firstborn and twisted it into justification for actual pagan child sacrifice. And in each case God acts and responds “for the sake of my name.” In other words, the actions of His people were slanderous, but God continued to press on being God. As Paul described it to Timothy, “When we are faithless, God is faithful because He can’t help but be who He is.”

In the quiet this morning, I spent some time thinking back on my own seasons and acts of unfaithfulness to both God and others. I asked God for forgiveness, and thanked Him for both His faithfulness and forgiveness. Then, I thought of specific individuals who I know have slandered me over the years, consciously choosing (once again) to forgive them, and praying a blessing over them. That’s what Jesus has gratefully done for me ceaselessly. How can I not do the same?

If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.

Then I said, “Sovereign Lord, they are saying of me, ‘Isn’t he just telling parables?’”
Ezekiel 20:49 (NIV)

For the past couple of months I have been teaching a class for a handful of brave souls from our local group of Jesus followers. The class was intended for a those who feel that they may have a spiritual gift in preaching or teaching. I have been asked to teach and to mentor them. I encouraged anyone interested in being a better communicator to join us and a number of people did.

In the first week of the class I announced to the group that we would be breaking some new ground and that there was the distinct possibility that I could really miss the mark. Most people are used to taking a class that follows a published book or video series of some kind. What we are exploring, however, is how God uses the language of metaphor. We’re talking about metaphors in creation, metaphors in the names we find in God’s message, metaphors in the sacraments, metaphors in prophecy, metaphors in parables, metaphors in the arts and creative expression, and etc. Along the way, we are also touching on some practical advice for preparing and delivering an effective presentation or message.

One of the most important points I have made to my class is that when you deliver a message the job is to prepare and communicate the material to the best of our ability and leave the response and results up to the Holy Spirit. That is easier said than done. We all have a natural desire to know if our words have accomplished their purpose. Last night as I left the parking lot I called Wendy to tell her how the class went. “I’m not sure,” I ruminated, “if I struck out swinging or hit a home run.”

The question still nagged at me as I read this morning’s chapter. For 20 chapters Ezekiel has been preaching, prophesying, and performing his metaphorical productions as God instructed. Then, at the very end of the chapter Zeke questions God about his audience’s response. I can feel his heart. “Is any of this landing? Are my messages having any impact? Am I making any kind of a difference? Have a stuck out swinging or am I knocking it out the park?”

I’m sure Zeke would have been encouraged to know that 2500 years later his prophetic messages would still be having lasting impact as we read them, meditate on them, study and appreciate them. But, in the moment, he’s just a messenger wanting to know if he’s making a difference. How very human, and in that I am encouraged this morning as well as being reminded of my own words to my class: “Just keep doing what you’re called to do to the best of your ability. God takes care of the rest.”