FOUNDATIONS FOR PEACE

Ezekiel 2:1-3:4
July 14-16, 2012
7th Sunday after Pentecost
Pastor Don Sutton

Podcast: Download (Duration: 25:17 — 5.8MB)

To download the mp3 file of the sermon to your computer, right-click on the download link above then click Save Link As….

Ezekiel 2:1-3:4
He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you. ” 2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. 3 He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’ 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen —for they are a rebellious house —they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” 9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, 10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe. ….. And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. 3 Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.4 He then said to me: “Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak my words to them. (NIV-1984)

Introduction
Am I alone in this or am I with a lot of company when it comes to tackling tough jobs? On your to-do lists are those things that you work around, procrastinate over, have all kinds of reasons not to do them, and do all kinds of things instead of? …….. Tackling the tough jobs isn’t easy, is it?

Ezekiel’s Tough Job
What do you think of the job that the Lord gave to Ezekiel? “He said: ‘Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites (v.3)’ … ‘Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak my words to them. ‘” God is saying to this young priest, “I want you to be my prophet and proclaim my word to the Jewish captives in Babylon.”

Now in case you’re thinking that preaching to the Jews would be any easy thing – like preaching to a congregation like St. Paul’s – think again. Listen again to how the Lord describes the Jews. In v.3 he calls them rebellious and says, “They revolt against me.” In v. 4 he labels them obstinate and stubborn. The Lord uses terms like briers, thorns and scorpions to describe the people to whom he is sending Ezekiel.

Also consider the message. “9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, 10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe. ….. And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel.” Ezekiel’s job was not to be “the good cop.” He was to proclaim God’s law.

You see, most of those Jews in Babylon were there as a result of God’s judgment on Judah for their idolatry and rebellion against God. Repeatedly God had called them to repentance but most didn’t turn back to God. So God used the Babylonians as his agents to bring his people to their knees in repentance. In 605 and 597 B.C. the Babylonian king and his armies invaded Judah, both times taking into captivity key people of Judah. But at this point, these exiles are holding out hope that somehow their countrymen back in Judah will throw off the Babylonian oppression and the Jews in exile will return home. God wanted Ezekiel to tell his fellow exiled Jews, “It ain’t going to happen.” God wanted Ezekiel to condemn people for their sins and call them to repentance turning to God for mercy.

So would you call the job the Lord wanted Ezekiel to tackle an easy job or a tough job?

Tough-to-tackle Jobs the Lord Gives Us
Ezekiel is not alone in receiving tough jobs from the Lord the when it comes to sharing messages people might like to hear but need to have. Think about some of the following directives to us Christians:

Mathew 18:15 – “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. “

James 5:19-20 – “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” (NIV 2011)

16 If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death (unbelief), he should pray and God will give him life. (1 John 5:16, 17).

Jude 22-23 – “Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. “

Do you understand the tough job the Lord is calling on us to tackle? When we see fellow Christians – especially those of our church family and those of our blood families – who neglect worshiping God, using God’s word and receiving the sacrament, or are living in some other sin and not turning from it whether it’s living together outside of marriage, doing and dealing drugs, a problem with drunkenness and alcoholism, people hating one another and holding grudges, stealing or whatever …. God is saying to us, “Reach out to them in love. Say you’re concerned. Humbly and gently point out their sin. Call them to repentance. Encourage them to turn from their sin to their Savior Jesus.” God is saying to us that when a fellow Christian is caught up in doubt, show mercy to that person and gently encourage that person with the truth of God’s word and the greatness of God’s love.”

This is a tough job and it’s not easy to do, is it? What’s the reality when it comes to tackling it? There are those who do it and do it well. But for many of us doesn’t the job tackle us rather than us tackling the job? To keep peace, to preserve family and friends, to not cause trouble on the job, we say nothing, do nothing and nothing changes. We fail our Lord and those to whom we are to reach out in love.

God’s Mercy on Ezekiel
When Ezekiel saw the Lord in all his glory he fell face down in feelings of unworthiness and fear. He was a sinful man seeing the Holy God. When we think of the Lord and his holiness, his will and his law proclamation of death and damnation on sinners, it is only right that we assume the same position before the Lord at least spiritually speaking.

But when the Lord speaks to Ezekiel, lying face down in fear and feelings of unworthiness, he doesn’t say, “Get out! Get lost!” No he says, “Get up!” But that’s not all. Ezekiel adds, “2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. 3 He said: “Son of man, I am sending you…”
The Lord God looked with mercy on Ezekiel. He looked ahead in time to see himself in human form … in perfect life … suffering and dying for the sins of all people. He saw himself dead and buried … coming to life, descending into hell to proclaim his victory over death and the devil, showing himself alive to hundreds of people over 40 days, and then ascending to heaven and assuming his place of power and glory. God had mercy on Ezekiel. God the Holy Spirit raised Ezekiel to his feet. God told Ezekiel he had a job. God gave Ezekiel the message to proclaim and through the word he took in, Ezekiel received blessing and strength to do the tough job God had given him.

God’s Mercy on Us
The same Lord who had mercy on Ezekiel has had and still has mercy on you. The way he looked ahead in grace to his saving work for Ezekiel, he now looks back at and has mercy on you. Yes, you and I have failed in so many things in life. We have failed in our reaching out in love to those who need us to that. But Jesus did not fail in serving as our Savior. He was holy and pure – “tempted in every way just as we are – yet without sin (Heb. 4:14).” His death paid for our sins. “We have been made holy (declared innocent) through the sacrifice of the body of Christ once for all (Heb. 10:10).” So the writer to the Hebrews concluded, “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14)!

With your sins washed away in Jesus’ blood and enjoying the peace that comes with forgiveness, we have reason and power to serve God even tackling the tough jobs such as talking to erring family, friends and co-workers.

Issues
But there are issues, aren’t there? We may feel that we are not equipped and capable to do this. But most of us are. St. Paul wrote in Romans 15:14, “I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another (Romans 15:14).” God equips you with his word. You’ve studied it. You’ve memorized the Ten Commandments. You know the gospel. But as with Ezekiel it’s important that we are taking them- spiritually eating them – on a regular basis.

When dealing with an erring brother or sister, what we need to tell them is basically this: “I care about you. So does God. Because I care, I am concerned that you have gotten caught in something that is not godly and not good for you. Remember what God says in ……… Whether you realize it or not, this sin is hurting your faith. In the end it could kill it. God calls you to turn from this sin. Turn to Jesus. He loves you so much he died for your sins. Remember the story of the prodigal son? He wandered. He sinned. But when he returned his father forgave him and welcomed him back. God is waiting to do this with you.”

There are other issues like, “I’ve got to live with the person ….. I’ve got to work with the person. They get touchy if I bring up concerns. They get stubborn. They tell me to mind my own business.” God didn’t let that be an excuse for Ezekiel to keep silent. On the other hand, to lovingly reach out to someone caught in a sin, takes tact. It takes wisdom. It takes patience. Pray for them and pray for the person. Pick your spots. When you share the truth in love give the Spirit time to work. If necessary periodically repeat your concern – maybe instead of doing face to face, write a letter. Remember that our job is to share the word. God’s job is changing the heart.

Finally, if they don’t listen Jesus instructed that we involve another Christian or two to share concerns. If they still don’t listen, Jesus said, “Take it to the church (Matt. 18).” If they don’t listen to the congregation is to declare the person as impenitent and outside the kingdom of God. Why do this? To show love and win them back.

In dealing with a doubting or wavering Christian, to patiently show love and voice concern is very appropriate. Ask questions to assess where the person is at and why. “How do you feel about your relationship with God? What are the challenges you’re feeling.” Try to understand. Don’t judgmental. Encourage with God’s word. Assure the person, “God is faithful. His word is truth. Nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Be patient. Pray. God hears. God helps. God works where and how we can’t.

The same Spirit that lifted up Ezekiel has lifted you from spiritual death to life and works in you through word and sacrament to give you he power not only to believe in and live for the Lord, but to speak the truth in love to those who need to hear it. Now with the help of the Spirit, tackle the tough jobs when they arise.

EZEKIEL 37:1-14
MAY 31, 2009
PENTECOST
PASTOR TIM SMITH

EZEKIEL 37:1-14 1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “O Sovereign LORD, you alone know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet– a vast army. 11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’
12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’” (NIV)

You may or may not know much about the Babylonian exile, and to understand the Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones, you don’t really need to know a whole lot. At this time back in Israel, the prophet Jeremiah was calling the people of Jerusalem to repentance. They had all thought that Jerusalem would never fall; that God would never let his temple be destroyed, even though thousands upon thousands of Israelites including some of the Kings of Judah and their families were being hauled away to Babylon. And over in Babylon, men like Daniel and Ezekiel were warning people to repent of their sins. Daniel was in the court of the Babylonian Kings; Ezekiel was out among the people, among the exiles themselves in their towns and villages all up and down the shoreline of the Euphrates. And even those exiles didn’t think God would let Jerusalem fall; wouldn’t let the temple be destroyed.

I suppose that for some of them, maybe for most of them, the temple represented hope; it was something to think about and remember, and even if we couldn’t be back there lifting up our hands in prayer at the evening sacrifice, the temple was there; someone was there in the Lord’s house, doing the Lord’s work.

But then it happened. The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar pulled down the walls of Jerusalem. They burned Solomon’s temple, they plundered the city, until Second Chronicles tells us there was nothing of value left (2 Chr. 36:19). It was either plundered, burned or smashed.

Now: Put yourself in the place of those folks in exile, when the word came to them that there was no more temple. Jerusalem was a pile of rocks. Cities had been destroyed before; but Jerusalem itself? How could this be? Shrines had been plundered before—that was part of being in a war, we might have supposed—but the temple itself destroyed? That was the one temple where God’s presence dwelt. That was the one temple where God had commanded us to worship. That was the one temple. The one temple. The one temple was gone.

Someone lifted up his voice and sang a lament: By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps, for their our captors asked us for songs; our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?

And there in the midst of our grief, this young prophet stood up and said he had seen a vision. We have cried ourselves dry; the tears have flowed and leapt from our eyes so that there are no tears left, and now he says he has seen a vision?

What Ezekiel was shown was a valley of dry bones. Not skeletons, but scattered bones, like they had been left in the desert wind for many years. We don’t have to wonder whether this was some army slaughtered someplace earlier in the Old Testament, like the army Abraham overran when he rescued Lot, or the Assyrian soldiers killed by the Angel of the Lord during the siege of Jerusalem. This was a vision. Ezekiel didn’t need to guess who they were, and neither do we.

The first thing the Lord asked the prophet was, “Can these bones live?” Like any good prophet, Ezekiel waited to be taught, and said, “Lord, you know the answer.” That’s when the rattling began—actually, the Hebrew doesn’t say whether this ‘shaking’ sound was the rattling of bones or the rumbling of an earthquake. What we do know is that the bones began to move, and they assembled into bodies. Bone connected with bone, and flesh reappeared over them. Gradually the valley was filled with a vast army of men.

But they were still dead; they still needed life. This is the same pattern God used in the original creation of Adam and Eve. First he formed them, then he breathed his breath into them and gave them their spirit; their soul. And the spirit of God is what gives us life.

Now, at the end of our text, the Lord will tell us that this army represents the House of Israel—the whole body of believers. And instantly we understand why the Lord showed Ezekiel these reassembled bones that still did not come to life. What is it that brings life into us?

Here is where we see what the Lord is talking about.

In Hebrew, the same word is used whether you are talking about the wind, or a breath, or a spirit. It is the same word, ruach. As God commands the prophet to call to the four winds to bring breath into the bones, he is talking about the spirit entering into them. Even though the same word is used all three ways in the same passage, it is clear what the Lord means. And as these bodies in the vision came to life through the Spirit, we see God’s meaning for Israel and for us.

For Israel, the point of the vision is that although there seems to be nothing left for them, God is capable of bringing them back from the exile—but for true life, even after the exile is over, they still need God; they still need his Spirit living in them. They still need faith.

For us, the point is the same. Life without the Spirit of God living in us is not life at all. When we try to live apart from God, when we set God on the back shelf, or just set his aside from the summer, we are removing ourselves from his love. We are removing him from our lives. If we think we can ever get away with monkeying around with God’s place in our lives, we need to think again. We need to repent. We need to understand what life is like apart from God.

Life apart from God is life as a skeleton. It’s a life of deadness. Think of what life would be like without forgiveness; without the peace of God. It would be a life of despair, a life of grief, a life of shame, a life of sadness.

But our sins are forgiven. Jesus has given us life. We live through Christ who lives. His resurrection is a promise of our own, and his gift of faith brings the blessing of the resurrection along with it.

Did you notice that it was the word of the Lord that was working in these bones? The word of the Lord is powerful; it is the tool God used in the Creation; it is the same tool God used when he brought you to faith in Jesus. The word of the Lord is powerful enough to accomplish anything.

And the success of that word of the Lord is up to the Lord himself to bring about.

On Pentecost, the Lord worked through special means, giving his Apostles the ability to speak in the languages of other people without first learning those foreign languages. But notice that it was still the word of the Lord that was doing the work.

That is the same word of the Lord Ezekiel preached to the dry bones. That is the same word of the Lord you have heard your whole life. That is the same word of the Lord that has given you life, spiritual life, living in you and working in you and giving you the ability to serve the Lord with everything you do.

That is the same word of the Lord that has given you the peace of God that transcends all our understanding, and keeps your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus, Amen.