DIVIDED

Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the gate of the house of the Lord that faces east. There at the entrance to the gate were twenty-five men, and I saw among them Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, leaders of the people. 2 The Lord said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who are plotting evil and giving wicked advice in this city… 4 Therefore prophesy against them; prophesy, son of man.” Ezekiel 11:1-2, 4.

Ezekiel the prophet was deported from Jerusalem to Babylon prior to the complete destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586 BC. Even though things were tough in Jerusalem, there were people there who predicted good times and countered the message that God’s prophet in exile was giving to the people. We can only imagine the inner turmoil Ezekiel felt as he prophesied against his fellow countrymen back in Jerusalem. But he was faithful to the message God gave him to tell; later what he prophesied was fully carried out when Jerusalem was completely destroyed.

When we hear differing voices and see division among us, may God give us wisdom to discern what is true, and give us courage to do what is right as Ezekiel the prophet did many years ago.