Ezekiel 12 Devotional

Patience Mistaken for Absence

“Therefore tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘None of My words will be delayed any longer. The message I speak will be fulfilled, declares the Lord GOD.’””Ezekiel 12:28 (BSB)

Ezekiel acts out exile in plain view. He packs a bag by day, digs through a wall in the evening, and carries his things out at dusk with his face covered (12:3-7). Jerusalem's prince and people, God explains, will go into captivity the same way (12:9-13). Then Ezekiel eats and drinks with trembling, a picture of the fear coming on the land (12:18-19).

The chapter ends with two sayings God refuses to let stand. One claims that days go by and visions come to nothing (12:22). The other says Ezekiel's warnings are for some distant future (12:27). God's answer is direct: his words will not be put off any longer, and what he speaks he will do (12:25, 28). Peter faced the same objection and said that what looks like slowness is God's patience, because he wants people to repent rather than perish (2 Peter 3:9). Time passing does not weaken God's word. The space it gives is meant for turning to him now.

To think about: Is there something God has said that you have quietly filed away as not urgent, and what would it look like to respond to it today?