By Such Stripes Are We Healed
by Jack Shaver
©The United Church of Canada, 1985
All Rights Reserved
ISBN 0-88622-196-X
7M/12/85/APL
Used with Permission
Enough said?
Ezekiel 33: 7-9, 34: 1-6
In the prophetic books of the Bible, most of what God has to say to Israel is critical. God is judging a wayward, stubborn people even while calling them into being. These same writings indicate that conflicting messages are being proclaimed. There is much reference to false prophets.
Imagine what it would be like to have lived then. Different preachers are telling you that God is saying different things. Years later there will come an official decision about which preaching was the true message from God. But at the time, you would have to decide for yourself which one was to be believed.
Or imagine what it would be like to have felt a call to preach in those days. How can you know for certain what God is calling you to say? How can you escape the agony of selfdoubt? And what possible cure for your doubt is safe?
Ezekiel is most outspoken on the matter of false prophets. They come out with lying divinations. They run where they haven't been sent. They say "Thus says the Lord" when God hasn't said anything. They whitewash the faults in the nation's foundations. They cry "Peace!" when there is no peace.
It is fascinating to watch this man wrestle with what is called for in this situation. What is the appropriate ministry? What is God looking for?
When have you finally done the responsible thing? As we explore Ezekiel's writings, we discover that the answer he receives is far from simple.
In the first of our two readings for today, Ezekiel is given the role of watchman (almost the same charge appears in the third chapter). The watchman is responsible for warning the wicked. If he warns the wicked and such a one repents, both lives are spared. If the wicked do not repent, they shall surely die. But if the watchman does not warn the wicked and the wicked do not repent, the watchman's life will be required of him. "Warn the wicked and you are off the hook."
Back in chapters two and three there is a slight change in theme. Here the word of the Lord, repeated in triplicate, is: "Go to this rebellious house who won't listen to you and speak what I say, whether they listen to you or not."
This is a fuller responsibility than, "Warn the wicked and you are off the hook."
The second reading is taken from that remarkable 34th chapter. Here God's disgust is directed against Israel's shepherds, rather than at the stiff-necked people of God's rebellious house. God swears that he himself will take on the shepherding of Israel.
The first six verses reveal what is expected of a proper shepherd. And it is a lot more than, "Warn the wicked and you are off the hook."
"Ho, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? ...The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the crippled you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with forces and harshness you have ruled them."
What is expected of the shepherd is wonderfully more extensive than what's expected of the watchman.
To be God's person is to be given a fascinating burden. It might even turn out to be good.
Thy Kingdom Come
- Gracious God, so much of our conversation with you is concerned with our own affairs. Our lives are out of sorts and we wish they weren’t.
- But somewhere at the heart of that is a hunger and thirst after righteousness and its reign on the earth.
Deep within us you have placed a longing for your kingdom. - Quench not this smoking flax but fan it to a flame. Purify, as well as inflame, our zeal for your reign.
- Open our eyes to see the hidden places where your sovereign power is at work.
Keep us watchful and expectant for the sudden flashes of your victorious love. - Make us open to receive the hastening of your kingdom for which we pray.
Give us ears to hear the groaning together of the whole creation and the whole human race for the redemption of the world.
God save the people. Amen