Ezekiel's Call to Ministry

Picture of a baseball umpire calling a strike

Today’s Bible reading* recounts Ezekiel’s call to ministry to prophesy against God’s people. God strictly warns him to not be rebellious like His people, but to faithfully deliver God’s Word. If he does, God will hold him blameless, regardless of how the people respond. But if Ezekiel fails to faithfully speak God’s, God will hold him guilty of the people’s rebellious response.

Application

God calls His spokespeople to a high standard. And they — we — who have a call to ministry are to faithfully deliver God’s Word as He gives it to us. We are like a table waiter. Regardless of how he thinks about the presentation of a meal, a faithful table waiter cannot rearrange the plate according to his preferences. Like a baseball umpire, God’s spokespeople are to “call ’em as we see ’em” without judgments of personal preference.

Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:10–11 (CSB)

Peter’s instruction applies not just to those who speak God’s Word, but also to those who serve or practice whatever spiritual gift(s) he/she has. All of God’s work is to be done to God’s glory as He enables the work to be completed.

* Chapters covered in today’s reading:
Ezekiel 1
Ezekiel 2
Ezekiel 3
Ezekiel 4

This devotional was originally published on August 29, 2021.

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