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the prophet a prophecy

Ezekiel 24:19-24 (JDV)

Ezekiel 24:19 Then the people asked me, “Won’t you tell us what these things you are doing mean for us?”
Ezekiel 24:20 So I answered them: “The word of Yahveh happened to me. This is what it said:
Ezekiel 24:21 Say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord Yahveh says: notice I am about to desecrate my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the desire of your throat. Also, the sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.
Ezekiel 24:22 Then you will do just as I have done: You will not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners.
Ezekiel 24:23 Your turbans will remain on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not lament or weep but will waste away because of your iniquities and will groan to one another.
Ezekiel 24:24 Now Ezekiel will be a sign for you. You will do everything that he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Lord Yahveh.’

the prophet a prophecy

In Ezekiel’s case, the prophet became a prophecy. He had lost his wife and children, but the LORD instructed him to go on without visible mourning. His heart must have certainly been broken inside. But he had to proceed with business as usual. Only when the people stopped to ask did he reveal the purpose for this bizarre normalcy.

The city was going to be destroyed, along with the temple. Disaster would be everywhere, but there would be no time for mourning. Before it happened, they would see it first in the activity of the prophet.

Jesus told his followers that they are the light of the world. Those watching believers in Christ should get a sense of what God is going to do next. Their lives should reveal the heart of their master.

Sadly, the church today spends far too much effort trying to look like everyone else. Where are our prophets — our living prophecies?

LORD, make us lights who reveal you to a watching world.