Ezekiel 4
Scripture
“Eat the food as you would a loaf of barley bread; bake it in the sight of the people, using human excrement for fuel.” The LORD said, “In this way the people of Israel will eat defiled food among the nations where I will drive them.”
He then said to me: “Son of man, I am about to cut off the food supply in Jerusalem. The people will eat rationed food in anxiety and drink rationed water in despair, for food and water will be scarce. They will be appalled at the sight of each other and will waste away because of their sin.”
Ezekiel 4:12-13, 16-17 NIV
Observation-What does it say?
I highly recommend taking a look at the video "Overview of Ezekiel" that was posted on August 1st. It gives a great overview through illustration of what this book is about.
Basically, Ezekiel was exiled from Israel, and he was given visions from the Lord of the destructions that were to come upon Israel because of their hardened hearts and rebellion. In this chapter, the Lord was continuing to give Ezekiel instruction on how to warn Jerusalem what they would suffer. Ezekiel would warn them through signs and actions, as an illustration of the destruction to come. This chapter shows the most extreme illustration. Basically, he was to "play the role of the scapegoat on the day of atonement for over a year and eat food cooked over poop as a sign of the nasty food people would have to eat during the siege of Jerusalem." (From the video)
Understanding-What does it mean?
God is a loving father. Not only is He loving, but He is also just.
Rebellion against the Lord is something that should not be taken lightly. If you are a Christ follower, He loves us enough to discipline and correct us in our rebellion so that we would turn from it. Discipline from God is not fun! The more He loves us, the harsher it seems so we wouldn't do it again. There are consequences to rebellion. I'm not trying to be preachy, but speaking from personal experience.
If you are not a Christ follower yet, all rebellion will eventually get judged. In Higher Learning, we are studying the book of Revelation and God's judgments poured out on rebellious man is clear.
Life Application
Repent and turn from sin!
Just like I shared during my testimony on Sunday, we need Jesus and need to turn from our wicked ways. The Lord loves us too much and sees so much more potential and purpose for our lives to leave us in the dark or leave us where He found us. I pray we would surrender our lives daily to His will instead of our own. Amen.