Ezekiel 12:1-7 – Living a life of self-denial.

Let’s do a brief recap before we go further. The first three chapters of the book of Ezekiel dealt with his calling. The rest of the book after that can be roughly categorized into three broad divisions. Chapters 4-24 are messages on the judgment of the house of Israel. Even though Israel had become two kingdoms, God still viewed them as one. Hence though Ezekiel was ministering to the people of Judah in the Babylonian captivity, he still addressed them as the house of Israel. In chapters 26-32, the messages are on the judgment of the surrounding nations. And finally, in chapters 33-48, the messages concern the restoration of Judah and the temple in Jerusalem.

In Ezekiel 12:1-7, though the people were already in exile, God told Ezekiel that they were still rebellious and unreceptive to His message. God’s exact words concerning them in verse 2 were that they “…have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house.” They were still resisting God’s plan. His message to them was clear that they would be in exile for 70 years. Many were still cherishing an early return to Jerusalem. So, God directed Ezekiel to act out another message for them before their eyes.

Ezekiel was told to prepare a baggage. For a person going into exile, the baggage would be simple and quite bear. He was to prepare the baggage in the full view of the people. In the daytime, he would act as one going to another place to depict and simulate the scene of a person who was going into exile. In the evening, verse 5 said, he was to “dig through the wall and bring his baggage out through it” in the sight of the people. Furthermore, he was to “lift the baggage upon your shoulder and carry it out at dusk.” Ezekiel was told to cover his face as one who didn't want to be recognized. All that he acted out was to be a sign to the people of the exile. Verse 7 Ezekiel said he did as he was instructed.

Though the people’s hearts were hardened toward Him, still God sought to get their attention. We cannot miss His graciousness. Despite the people being rebellious and unreceptive to His message, Ezekiel was directed to act out to make the message plain to them. It’s not difficult to imagine the shame Ezekiel had to bear and the pride he had to forgo. Put ourselves in Ezekiel’s shoes and reflect for a while. Are we willing to go to the same extent to amplify God’s message in our lives? Jesus said if any man would come after me, let Him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. Will we? There are two takeaways for us. Firstly, don’t let our misplaced confidence cause us to harden our hearts toward God. Secondly, be prepared to live a life of self-denial.