Ezekiel’s Call: Digest and Share the Word – Family Devotion – July 14, 2021

Read: Ezekiel 2:1-3:4

You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you.
Ezekiel 2:7-8

Ezekiel’s Call: Digest and Share the Word

 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Have I got a job for you!” Does that get you excited or a little nervous? What if they say, “I’ve got a great job for you. Go over there and tell that group of kids that recess is over. They need to come inside right now. They won’t be happy and might even yell at you, but it’s ok. Tell them anyway. Thanks for helping!”

Is your answer going to be, “Sure! Happy to help!” or will it be, “You’ve got to be kidding! No thanks!”

Ezekiel was someone God picked for an important job. God wanted him to deliver a message. The people he was to speak with were all descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is a big deal. It means that these were people chosen by God. They knew a lot about God. However, God paints a pretty tough picture about them. He calls them stubborn and rebellious. God wanted Ezekiel to be ready for the fact that the people were likely not going to be excited to hear what God has to say about them. Ezekiel was to tell them that they were sinning against God—not an easy message at all. Ezekiel was not to stop speaking God’s message even if the people refused to listen to it.

How about you? Did you know that God asks you to do the same thing as Ezekiel? He sends you as one of his special people who tells others about Jesus. You don’t have to go to a faraway place. You don’t have to get up in front of a large group of people. You simply get to talk about Jesus and all he’s done for you and for others in your everyday life. God doesn’t ask you to actually eat his Word like he told Ezekiel to eat the scroll, but he was encouraging Ezekiel and you to read and listen to God’s Word as food you need for your body. Even if God’s message doesn’t taste pleasant at the moment, it is meant to help us. Sometimes unpleasant things remind us God’s sweet promises of grace, forgiveness, heaven, and that he is right there with us every day.

The next time you see something unpleasant to eat on your plate, remember Ezekiel and the untasty message God wanted him to eat and share with his people.

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, give me faith and courage to speak about you even when I think others might reject what I say. Bless my efforts to tell and tell and tell about you. In your name I pray. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What hard thing did God ask Ezekiel to do?
• Discuss the last time a grown up (like Mom or Dad) said something you didn’t want to hear. Ask them why they said such a hard thing.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• List at least three words that would describe how Ezekiel may have felt as he set out to deliver God’s tough message.
• God told Ezekiel to eat the scroll he was giving him. He wanted Ezekiel to taste the words and have that message inside him. God doesn’t ask you and me to eat the Bible, but he wants us to have the message inside us too. How can we do that?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• If you were Ezekiel, how would you share God’s message knowing people wouldn’t like it?
• Why is it so important to not avoid unpleasant messages God speaks to us even though we may not want to hear them?

Hymn: CW 293 – God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage

God’s Word is our great heritage
And shall be ours forever;
To spread its light from age to age
Shall be our chief endeavor.
Through life is guides our way;
In death it is our stay.
Lord, grant, while worlds endure,
We keep its teachings pure
Throughout all generations.