Thurs.’s Devo - The Responsibility of the Prophet

Read: Ezekiel 33:1-34:31; Hebrews 13:1-25; Psalm 115:1-18; Proverbs 27:21-22 God explained exactly what a prophet is. He is a watchman over the people. He is to warn the people of their sins and the consequences of their sins so that they can repent and get their lives straight. Then God may have compassion on them and repent of what he was going to do. If they refuse to repent, after they have been warned then what the prophet says will happen to them. *** But, if the prophet hears from God and doesn’t tell the people what he is hearing, when the judgment comes, it will be his fault for not warning the people and giving them a chance to repent. God doesn’t enjoy the judgment of wicked people but loves it when they repent and change. *** On the fifth month of the tenth month, Ezekiel got the message that Jerusalem had fallen. The people were saying that since Abraham had been given that land and they were his descendants then the land should be theirs. God reminded them that they ate meat with blood in it, they worshipped idols, and murdered the innocent. All of this made them murderers, idolaters and adulterers. He asked them, ‘Should the land belong to you?’ *** They sought out the prophet to get a word from him only for their entertainment. They had no intention of doing what he said. Their hearts only sought after money. When the things that he said happen, then they will know that a prophet has been among them. *** The spiritual shepherds shepherded themselves instead of their flocks. Instead of tending to their needs, they treated them harshly and cruelly. They left them to be attacked by wild animals and didn’t go after them when they were lost. They will be held responsible for what happens to the people. Since they didn’t do their job, God would be their shepherd. He would find them and bring them home and give them good pastureland and feed them justice. *** God would judge the flock and separate the sheep from the goats. God would make a new covenant with his people and protect them from the wild animals of the land and shower down blessings on their crips. They will become famous for their crops. *** Hebrews ends with practical things we can do to please God. We can be hospitable to strangers who might even be angels. We can remember those in prison and visit and pray for them. We can honor marriage and be satisfied with what God has blessed us. We can remember that this is not our permanent home. We can be priests who offer continual sacrifices of praise to God. We can obey the spiritual leaders God has put over us and pray for clear consciences. *** Lord, may you equip us with all we need to do your will. May your produce in us every good thing that is pleasing to you.