By the River Chebar

Ezekiel 3:12-21 (NRSV)

By John Grimm

The Holy Spirit will do as the Holy Spirit does.  We cannot control what the Spirit of God does.  Ezekiel learned this truth!  What a situation he was in!  We cannot imagine the transportation used to move Ezekiel to be by the river Chebar, in Assyria.

After those seven days of sitting stunned upon landing by the river Chebar, Ezekiel received a word from God.  It is at this point that we become stunned.  The word of the Lord that came to Ezekiel is powerful.  It is given clearly for Ezekiel.  We ask ourselves, is it spoken clearly for us?

Are we truly our brother’s keeper?  Are we responsible for anyone else?  Do we really want to become involved in someone else’s life?  These are questions we ask ourselves as we see how Ezekiel is to be a sentinel for Israel.  If he warns them, then the people and Ezekiel will be able to live on.  If Ezekiel does not warn them when he sees their iniquities, then the people will die, and their blood will be on Ezekiel’s hands. 

As disciples of Jesus Christ, will we be judged like Ezekiel?  If we fail to correctly give the word of the Lord to the people regarding their iniquities, will their blood be on our hands?  If we do correctly give the word of the Lord to the people regarding their iniquities, then will our life be saved?  Our salvation is tied to the salvation of others.  We may not be prophets or by the river Chebar, but we are able to speak the word the Lord gives us.

Lord, your Spirit moves us today in ways we do not expect.  When your Spirit moves us to speak your word, then may the people hear and turn to you.  Thank you for helping us to see how serious our obedience to you is.  In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask for you to give us words to speak that will warn people to turn to you.  Amen.