From the First Lesson for this day, Ezekiel 12:17-28
It's a shame that most of Ezekiel's words seems to be negative. But he was dealing with major sins with people who were significantly unrepentant.
I want to take a more positive approach. The Word of the Lord has been accomplished in God's Son Jesus Christ. This makes matters particularly urgent.
When Ezekiel says, "the people of the land (Judah and Israel)... her land may be desolate from all that is therein, because of the violence of all them that dwell therein,"he is foretelling the words of St. Paul in Romans when he says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." There is nothing more desolate than a sinful life.
When Ezekiel says, "ye shall know that I am the LORD," he is affirming what St. John would know in his Gospel centuries later: "as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name." We know the Lord whenwe know His Only-begotten Son.
Ezekiel says, "I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel... For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged." This reminds me of that glorious Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit infused all who believed with God's power and God's word. The "proverb ceased" because the One Who gives the proverb is alive in the Christian soul.
Finally, Ezekiel proclaims that "There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done." I can't help hear St. Paul preaching to the Corinthians: "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Salvation happened at Calvary and every day since has been God's Day of Salvation.
Lord, let me watch for the fulfillment of Thy Word. Amen.
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