Topic: Divine Prophecy Dramatized [Thursday January 7, 2016]
Text: Ezekiel 4:9-17
Key Verse: “Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment” (Ezekiel 4:16).
Secular actors and playwrights pride themselves on their skill and ability to work at drama they claim is useful to correcting the ills of the society. Their writing has led to the creation of a huge industry that has offered employment to thousands of citizens. But there is a downside: it is a mode Pied Piper of Hamelin playing deadly tunes drawing most of society into sensuality, irreverence and ultimate moral bankruptcy and eternal damnation.
The time to visit sinning Judah had come. The land was filled to the brim with rebellion, apostasy and idol worship. The law of Moses given to guide the children of Israel in the path of righteousness some 875 years earlier had been set aside. In its place were idolatrous conduct and immorality. Punishment was coming via a siege and eventual fall of Jerusalem. But first, the wave was through a dramatization symbolism of the wrath to come. God asked His servant, Ezekiel, to lie on his left side in the full view of the residents of Jerusalem. He would do so for 390 days. Next, he was to rest on his right side for 40 more days. All these indicated that the people of Jerusalem would have their activities severely restricted under a siege coming their way. There would be food shortages as symbolised by the small amount of food Ezekiel was asked to take (verses 9-11).
He was asked to cook his food over cow’s excrement to reflect Judah’s spiritual defilement. Ezekiel acted all these in obedience to the Lord. His complete submission to God’s order is a lesson to his followers.
We must be willing to witness for the Lord on His own terms without seeking permission for adjustments to suit us. We must pray for greater boldness to “dramatically portray the sins” of society the Ezekiel way, without minding the comments of friends, colleagues and relations.
Thought for the day: The old-time religion is still the answer to taming sin.
Bible Reading in one Year: Genesis 21-23
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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