In Ezekiel we read about forth coming siege of Jerusalem, and Ezekiel is instructed to do some pretty interesting things to illustrate what is to come... In fact, as I was reading, I was thinking to myself: "Say WHAT? This is so strange!"
Ezekiel is told to lie upon his left side 390 days (Ezek. 4:4) to illustrate the years of the iniquity of the house of Israel -- one day for a year. Is this an illustration, or did he actually do this? I'm not sure, although I can't imagine that he could live if he had to stay on his side for 390 days... (That's over a year!) But not far down in the same passage he is told to lie again on his right side for forty days (Ezek. 4:6).
In this chapter we also see that Ezekiel is commanded to make barley cakes with human dung (Ezek. 4:12). That's disgusting, but perhaps God is trying to show Israel how disgusting their sins are in His sight? Through this Ezekiel is also prophesying about how Jerusalem will lack bread. They will look for it and not find it.
In Ezekiel 5, we read about the Lord giving Ezekiel instruction to shave his head and cut his beard and divide it three ways. Burn one part in the fire, cut another part up with a knife, and the third part scatter to the wind. What does all this mean?
Further down in verse 12 we read explanation as the Lord reveals the future of Jerusalem.
"A third part of thee shall die with pestilence and famine, and a third part shall fall by the sword, and a third part will be scattered to the wind." (Ezk. 5:12)
So basically through these odd instructions (God must need to do something drastic to get people's attention), He is actually foretelling the future of Israel.
I don't understand God's methods and ways... and I don't understand why He asks His prophets to do certain things... but He is God. Although I don't always understand, I will trust Him.
Let's end today's reading on a positive note. In James 1:5 we are encouraged, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally."
Ellen White writes: "You need not go to the ends of the earth for wisdom, for God is near. It is not the capabilities you now possess or ever will have that will give you success. It is that which the Lord can do for you. We need to have far less confidence in what man can do and far more confidence in what God can do for every believing soul. He longs to have you reach after Him by faith. He longs to have you expect great things from Him. He longs to give you understanding in temporal as well as in spiritual matters. He can sharpen the intellect. He can give tact and skill. Put your talents into the work, ask God for wisdom, and it will be given you." (Christ Object Lessons, p. 146)
Tomorrow's Reading: Ezek. 6-7 and James 2
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