T H E K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S (1) THE VISION, 1:1. “ I saw vi sions of God.” Before taking up the lesson, it is well to get the setting. In the first verse of the first chapter we have a description of the glorious vision given to the priest-prophet Ezekiel— one of the cap tives of Israel— an exile from his home land. Ezekiel was thirty years of age,— the set time for one to enter upon the duties of the priesthood, and a time chosen of God for His revelation. A thoughtful study of God’s Word, and of secular history as well, reveals the fact that God chooses men in His own way. Nothing can hinder His plan un less it be the human will resisting God’s call. Moses was eighty years old, and in the wilderness, when he had his vision and call. Daniel was in the palace of a king when he received his call. In the history of every man who has been used of God, it will be found that cer tain preparation has preceded the call, and this preparation is as varied as is. the character of the men themselves. Abraham had a vision in Mesopo tamia, while living in an idolatrous land. John the Baptist had his vision in the wilderness, Saul of Tarsus on a country road. A vision from God was always a preparation for service, and certain times, circumstances, places and men are providentially used in God’s dealing with men. (Isa. 6:1-8). Man is capacitated for God’s visions, and his usefulness is determined by his adaptation to the revelation which God sees fit to give. A humble and contrite spirit is susceptible to spiritual leading. No man will ever be bigger than his vision of God and His purposes. The meaning of Ezekiel’s name is “ God be come strength,” and no doubt God in fluenced Ezekiel’s -father to give him this significant name. There is a significant suggestion here for the Church regarding the tendency to thrust men and women into spheres
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of leadership before they have had the experiences necessary to mature their judgment and qualify them for the tests which always attend His service. “ Visions of God!” This is what God’s servants have always needed. This is the crying need for today. Visions of God can come only to those whose wills are surrendered to the will of God. Visions of God are visions of His glory. (2) THE VOICE AND COMMAND, 2:1-6. "Son of man, stand upon thy feet.” A voice from the glory and a com mand from the mouth of God! “ Son of man” is a title applied often to Ezekiel, once to Daniel (8:17) and never to any other prophet. This title is the one our Lord applied to Himself, and we may therefore expect to find in Ezekiel many suggestions of himself as a type of our Lord. (Psa. 8:4) “What Is man that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thon visit- est him?” (Matt. 16:13, 1. c.) “When Jesus eame into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying:, Whom do men say that 1, the Son of man. am?’* Jesus was as truly “ Son of man” as He was truly “ Son of God,” for He was “ God manifest in the flesh.” First a vision, then a voice— God’s voice— a voice of authority! There are thousands of voices coming to us, but one is above and beyond all others, and it is God’s voice. Listen to His voice as He speaks to Moses, (Ex. 15:26) “If thou wilt dlllgrently hearken to the voiee of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will nnt none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” and to the voice of Jesus (Jno. 10:27) “My sheep hear my voice, and I knfow them, and thev follow me.” God says that blood has a voice (Gen. 4:10) and that there is Blood that speaketh better things (Heb. 12:24) “To the blood of sprinkling that speak eth better things than that of Abel.” Men should tune their ears to listen to the voice of God in His Holy Word,
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