Crazy
Ezekiel is one of those books of the Bible that we often avoid. It has been said that, “The past is another country – they do things differently there.” This is true when we approach the Old Testament of the Bible. The laws, the rituals, the way of life all seem so odd to our modern sensitivities. Still, there are many exciting stories there and we love to read about Daniel, David, Joshua, and Moses. The poetry that is contained in the Psalms relate so clearly to our own emotions and all of us have found strong wisdom in Proverbs. Ezekiel is different, however..
Everything about the book of Ezekiel seems so….crazy. It opens with a bizarre vision that defies explanation. He illustrates his prophecies with blood, feces, and other revolting imagery. His actions have made some modern theologians question whether he may have even been schizophrenic. It is no wonder this book is one of the least read and discussed parts of the Bible today. It all seems so impenetrable and bizarre. Yet, Paul declares, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works.” (II Timothy 3:16-17)
So what do we make of Ezekiel then? I believe there is fruit to be found in embracing the craziness. The people of that time were living in an age that they would have considered to be crazy. They believed that they were God’s chosen people and that they had an eternal, unbreakable covenant with Him that was sealed by their possession of the Holy Land. Yet, they had watched their nation’s sovereignty crumble over many decades and now their home was completely destroyed, no temple was left standing to their God, and they were carried off to the pagan land of Babylon. It was all beyond their ability to understand. It was…crazy.
Too often, we limit God by our interpretation of normal. We assume God’s will by the things that make sense to us. Yet, God is supernatural. He is superior to time and the laws of nature. His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Sometimes, we do not truly understand the depths of the greatness of God until we see His work in situations that are beyond our comprehension. Sometimes, it is in the “crazy” that we begin to most clearly see God and learn how to “walk by faith”.
Join us in the weeks that are ahead as we take a look at the power and wisdom of God in circumstances that are beyond our understanding.
- August 20 – Ezekiel 1 – Would God Work When The Conditions Don’t Seem Favorable?
- August 27 – Ezekiel 2 – Why Would God Speak To a People He Knew Would Not Listen?
- September 3 – Ezekiel 4 – Would God Allow His Faithful People To Suffer?
- September 10 – Ezekiel 5 – Would God Destroy That Which Carries His Name?
- September 17 – Ezekiel 11 – Would God Restore That Which He Destroys?