Prophetic Sign Acts (Ezekiel 4:1-17)
Ezekiel frequently behaved in unusual, even
outlandish, ways. His actions were strange even in ancient Israel, not just
from a modern perspective. Unlike modern readers, however, who might think that
the prophet was psychologically disturbed, ancient observers understood these sign
acts as a regular part of a prophet's communication style, Sign acts
were dramatic visual aids performed in public to increase the impact of the
message and help people feel the truth as much as hear it. Their
purpose was to drive the message unforgettably into people's hearts.
Other prophets of Israel and Judah also performed sign
acts (see Isa 20:2-6; Jer 13:1-11), but Ezekiel was required to act out his
message more frequently than any other (see 4:1-8, 9-17; 5:1-4; 6:11-12; '12:3-16;
17-20; 21:19-22; 24:15-27; 37:16-26), perhaps because he was communicating to a
particularly hardened audience (2:6). The sign acts reinforced the content of
his message and underlined the depth of his personal, commitment to it. For example,
after he swallowed the word of God (2:8-3:3), Ezekiel embodied It for the exiles
(34-9) In a judgement scene (chs 4-6) This
dramatic form of communication is difficult for even a hostile audience to ignore or forget.
The ultimate sign act is the cross of Jesus Christ
(see Matt 27:32-54). There God visibly depicted his wrath against sin In the
darkness, the earthquake, and the agony of the sinless one who was 'apparently
abandoned by his Father. God also depicted his profound love for the world in
that he would rather die than let his people go. The cross is a confrontational
message of God's love and wrath that is hard to ignore or forget.
Prayer Points
›We are thanking God for His sign act to us
›We are thanking God for His love he demonstrated to
us through Jesus Christ
›We are asking for forgiveness for ignoring all sign
act God is using to drive us to him
› We are praying for a spirit of humility to act upon
Gods message he sends through all mediums possible
› We are also praying for Gods people that they will truly
send the message with boldness and fastness
› We are praying that as we turn to God, God should turn
to us in mercy. He should send forth His word and heal our diseases
› We are pleading for the blood of Jesus in all areas
of our lives
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