LOST FOR WORDS (EZEKIEL 4:1-17)

REFLECTION Lost for words is the theme for our reflection. If someone is lost for words, he or she cannot think of anything to say, especially because he or she is very surprised by something. We are lost for words after reading the vivid description of how God intended to punish the Israelites for their iniquities. The siege of Jerusalem is symbolized in chapter…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Jun 23, 2022

2–3 minutes

REFLECTION

Lost for words is the theme for our reflection. If someone is lost for words, he or she cannot think of anything to say, especially because he or she is very surprised by something. We are lost for words after reading the vivid description of how God intended to punish the Israelites for their iniquities. The siege of Jerusalem is symbolized in chapter 4 of Ezekiel by prophet Ezekiel. God gave a step to step procedure by which He was going to follow in punishing the Israelites for their disobedience. “Moreover, he said to me, “Son of man, behold, I will break the supply of bread in Jerusalem. They shall eat bread by weight and with anxiety, and they shall drink water by measure and in dismay. I will do this that they may lack bread and water, and look at one another in dismay, and rot away because of their punishment” (Ezekiel 4:16-17)

Dear friend in the Lord, the judgement and wrath of God is not an experience anyone would want to go through. The fact that God is merciful does not mean He is not a just God who punishes wicked and unrepentant people who fail to acknowledge the will, commandment, sovereignty and presence of God in the their lives. We have an opportunity to learn from the disobedience and punishment of the Israelites. Let us avoid the situation where our punishment may lead us to a state of dismay or where we shall be lost for words because of the gravity of God’s wrath against us. The Psalmist pleads with God when he wrote that “Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:11-12).

We shall be lost for words or dismayed if we do not repent but keep sinning or living in unrighteousness. Paul admonishes us that “…because of your hard and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury” (Roman 2:5-8). Let us repent and accept God’s offer of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ so that we shall be saved and not witness the wrath of God, for “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:18) Shalom.

PRAYER

Dear God, may we not be lost for words or dismayed because of your wrath but let the Holy Spirit strengthen us to seek your righteousness and having nothing to do with sin so that we will continually enjoy Your grace, love, blessings and salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.