When God is moving, don’t get too comfy

Every day we’re asking four questions about part of the Bible. Today Bern Leckie answers:

What did I like about today’s passage?

While there is a lot of horrible detail about death and judgement here, I’m most struck by the two major forces pushing against each other: God is moving, and people are resisting.

God is moving against his people’s refusal to follow his ways, resulting in injustice, suffering and arrogance when challenged. The Passover-like picture in chapter 9 is a shocking reversal of fortune for people who trusted they were saved by their ancestors’ movement from slavery to freedom, led by Moses in Exodus. There was a big difference between Israel then and now. Under Moses, at least one person listened to God and everyone else followed. In Ezekiel’s time, people were stuck in their own ways, refusing to recognise the problems they were causing or the direction God had given them to change.

When people said, “This city is a pot, and we are the meat in it,” they were comforting themselves that they were the best bits of Israel, which is why they thought they had not been poured out to be exiled. Despite movement all around them, including the departure of God’s glory from the temple, their faith and security were in their traditions, stability and property. They were so conservatively minded and keen to keep what they cherished, they had no idea that God was opposed to them, telling them to change, and about to force them.

I love how God didn’t just say this with words but used willing, obedient Ezekiel to show them pictures of what to expect. He was no longer tied down but packed and ready to move, bringing the Exodus to mind again for anyone who would connect the dots. Ezekiel would not part the sea but dig through a wall with his hands like a desperate prisoner escaping. Unlike the Exodus, God was not providing a route for the righteous oppressed but forcing the unrighteous to run for their lives.

It sounds like a scary and dark reversal of the love and light we might expect from God, but there is a purpose and hope for people who will be moved by him. The exiles share a promise from God of return and renewal, not as they are but with new hearts and spirit. So, this isn’t just a picture of judgement but a story of redemption for anyone who will move with God.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God does not change, but he knows that we need to. He knows the state of our hearts, how ready they are for us to learn from him and get better at living and loving well. He knows whether we are sensitive enough to respond to a gentle nudge or hardened enough to need something more dramatic to grab our attention. Thankfully, Jesus promised his Spirit in us which can keep us tuned to his guidance, but he wants us to obey and not ignore it.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

I feel the challenge from this. In a nice comfy place, it’s easy to feel spiritually complacent when God may want me/us to move. I think this applies to our biggest assumptions about traditions to defend as well as everyday decisions about love, generosity and service. What changes does God want to lead us into concerning how we treat people? I want to be led by him on this, so I need to spend more time asking, listening and obeying when he moves.

Who am I going to share this with?

My family and other people I follow Jesus with.