Ezekiel 5 reminds me of the story of the
tortoise and the hare. I have never been the fastest, the strongest
or the smartest. I always felt like I had to outwork everyone else,
just to be average. An interesting thing can happen over time.
Those who are naturally bright or athletically gifted sometimes fail
to do the basics of preparation and training. Some go as far as
ruining their health and mind through foolish behavior. As a result,
sometimes the gifted destroy their gift and end up losing it all.
Today’s chapter is a clear warning to those that have been given
much. The chapter begins, “Son
of man, take a sharp sword and use it as a barber’s razor to shave
your head and your beard“. It
is important to understand the significance of this hairy situation.
Similar to a male lion, the hair and beard were symbolic of pride and
power. The only time such drastic action would be taken would be
extreme grief, shame, or in an act of holy cleansing. The skinhead
look was one of shameful humility. The instruction continues,
“divide up the hair… burn a
third of the hair inside the city. Take a third and strike it with
the sword all around the city. And scatter a third to the wind“.
God explains that this is what will happen to the people of Israel.
God had set them apart as special, but because of their arrogance,
they rejected and despised the Giver of life. Note He adds, “take
a few hairs and tuck them away in the folds of your garment“.
God keeps some to use later.
God
gives an explanation, while pointing to the empty trophy case. God
desired the nation to be a witness of the excellence of the God they
served, instead, “Jerusalem,
which I have set in the center of the nations… in her wickedness
she has rebelled against My laws and decrees more than the nations
and countries around her. She has rejected My laws… You have been
more unruly than the nations around you“.
Rather than acknowledging and enjoying the blessing, the nation
abused the position, making God appear helpless and corrupt.
God
says plainly, “I Myself am
against you, Jerusalem, and I will inflict punishment on you in the
sight of the nations“. It is
important to understand they didn’t just get fat and lazy; they
committed every vile act possible while wearing their letterman
jacket. They were Heirs to glory but chose to abuse the innocent.
God describes the personal indignation, “I
Myself will shave you; I will not look on you with pity or spare
you“. This most blessed
nation did not minister God’s purity; they defiled themselves and
misrepresented their God. After the pruning, “Then
My anger will cease… they will know that I the Lord have spoken in
My zeal“. We see the bigger
purpose behind the shameful shave, “You
will be a reproach and a taunt, a warning and an object of horror to
the nations around you“. Have
you been speeding through warning lights? There may be a hairpin
turn ahead. “I will bring more
and more famine upon you and cut off your supply of food“.
Friend, have you squandered
what you have been given? It is not too late to allow God to groom
you for the big race. “Do you
not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in
you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your bodies”
(1 Corinthians 6:19). Run in such a way as to win the crown that
lasts forever. Remember, it is not how you started, but how you end
that matters most. Let’s finish strong.