Ezekiel 2:1-5 (NRSV)
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Chapter 2He said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. Verse 2And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. Verse 3He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day. Verse 4The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, "Thus says the Lord God." Verse 5Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.
Devotion
“He said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you.”
Giving to ELCA Good Gifts enables me to imagine a family receiving garden tools and seeds or solar-powered lanterns to light their home. “Could I give more?” is a soul-crushing question when the need far exceeds what I have. God called one person, Ezekiel, to warn a whole stubborn nation for their apostasy. So daunting was this call, Ezekiel required a few more chapters of convincing. Finally, God said, “Ezekiel, warn these people or the weight of their sin will befall you, because you did not speak.”
We are not responsible for everything. But avoiding what God calls us to do also has consequences for others and ourselves.
Prayer
God, don’t let me freeze in fear nor be overwhelmed by your call to share Jesus Christ in word and deed. My response matters. Fill me with your Spirit that I may stand up and serve you. Amen.