Ezekiel 33:7-11, Psalm 119:33-40 and, Romans 13:8-14
The Book of Ezekiel is a collection of prophecies from around 586 B.C., just before the fall of the Kingdom of Judah in Israel’s history. The collapse of a nation entails not only great tangible loss but also spiritual and cultural exploitation. Therefore, invaders obliterate the language and culture that form the foundation of the colonized nation. They eliminate both spiritual and material centers of resistance. Then the empire deprives the colonized nation of many things, and it must spend a long time in a period when despair is closer than hope. Of course, Canada, a civilized nation in modern society, has demonstrated responsible behaviour regarding the issues of global refugees and chaos caused by the invasion of other countries. However, in the Bible, Israel’s case was slightly different from our situation today. The prophet Ezekiel prophesied Israel’s destruction and judgment, and later delivered restoration.
The fall of the chosen people, the ensuing judgment, Jehovah’s grace, mercy, and restoration are like a cycle in the Old Testament. When the people of Israel went astray, God sent a prophet to warn them. However, they did not respect the prophet. God raised up other great nations and empires to invade Israel. The destroyed Israel once again asks God for help. God extends a merciful hand to them and restores them. It is a repetition of history. At times, God raised up Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome to conquer Israel.
Specifically, God chooses Ezekiel as the nation’s watchman, as in verse 7. So God commands him to warn Israel. That word came from the mouth of God. Therefore, a prophet must first hear God’s word and convey it exactly as it is. God’s work begins with hearing. In an era filled with shouting and pleading prayers, pausing to wait for God’s voice requires a decision of faith. So, while I value the inspiration I receive from enthusiastic praise services, I truly love the time of rest, meditation, and worship within the Presbyterian liturgy.
The prophet’s warning to the people of Israel is based on God’s justice. Because the people’s lives at that time were far from God and evil deeds were closer than good deeds, God gave Ezekiel a heavy responsibility. It is a proclamation and an exhortation for the people to repent. It is a command to lead people away from the way of the wicked and to fully fear God. It is the destiny of a prophet and the responsibility of a person of faith. Many of the things happening in the world today are actually due to humans. In addition, this is because the current generation is enjoying many things in a short period of time that no generation in the past 2,000 years has ever enjoyed. Never in Earth’s history has there been a time like this where so many people can simultaneously order something with a single finger and have it delivered smoothly. There have been instances where a minority exploited and enjoyed benefits at the expense of the majority, whether through slavery or colonial rule. However, there has never been an era like today, when so many people can buy a car, a cell phone, a house, and multiple pieces of clothing. I even find myself hesitating in front of my closet this morning, unable to decide what to wear from among my several possessions.
Beloved, as I meditate on righteousness in this way, my heart feels heavy. It is because it keeps making me meditate on my mistakes and wrongdoings. If I only consider my own things, that is fine too. However, when that direction deviates from me and heads toward other beings and society, the word ‘Rightness’ sometimes turns into a blade. It condemns and criticizes others. It leaves scars and casts shadows of frustration and despair. So, the fate of a prophet is very challenging. Furthermore, for us believers today, praying about social issues is often accompanied by pain, much like climbing a mountain with a heavy burden. So, one thing is needed. This is the most important thing. It is love.
It is easy to criticize. However, providing alternatives and changing people is not easy. Let us consider what Saul, who would readily resort to killing people for the sake of his own version of Law and Rightness, said after becoming Paul: “8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Love fulfills all laws and makes all teachings perfect. This is because Paul learned this through Jesus. The law of Christ lies in embracing others. Seeking the benefit of others is love and the way to God’s glory. Therefore, we can understand the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. What benefit would the path toward the cross bring to Jesus? It is nothing but a path of humiliation, contempt, and dishonour. However, Jesus walked silently because at the end of that path lay the benefit of salvation for His children. That is why Paul emphasized love so that we Christians could fulfill the law of Jesus Christ.
Love is the beginning. And it is the end. We can do it just as Jesus did. Love unites the church and society and leads them to God. And we must act so that this word ‘love’ is used more as a verb rather than a noun. Just as ‘agape,’ meaning unconditional love, transforms into ‘agapao,’ which signifies a dynamically active love, we must love unconditionally and without limitation.
Finally, righteousness without love becomes a sharp sword that easily condemns and wounds others. At the same time, love without righteousness sometimes causes us to lose our sense of right and wrong. Therefore, we need to balance between the two. When love and righteousness kiss each other, we can go far together, partnering in ministry. We will not lose our identity as people of faith. We must continue to give, love, and be merciful. Let’s walk this path together. Small churches, with their limited resources and small numbers, sometimes feel overwhelmed and experience burnout. At the same time, there are also abundant opportunities for faith training and service. I have a lot of work to do. I hope that in this season of ripening and harvest, our faith will grow and take a leap forward.