How does Ezekiel's plea reflect our need for discernment in following God? Setting the Scene Ezekiel 4 finds the prophet commanded to act out a sign of Jerusalem’s siege, including eating bread baked over dung. Verse 14 records his heartfelt response: “Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord GOD! I have never been defiled. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything found dead or torn by animals, nor has any impure meat ever entered my mouth.’” Ezekiel’s Plea in Context • God gives a startling command meant to picture Judah’s coming defilement. • Ezekiel immediately obeys the overall assignment (4:1–13) yet hesitates at the method of cooking, appealing to lifelong obedience to dietary law. • The Lord graciously adjusts the command to cow dung (4:15), preserving the sign while honoring the prophet’s conscience. Discernment Displayed • Ezekiel distinguishes between the unchangeable moral law (holiness) and a symbolic act that could violate it. • He reasons from Scripture, not personal preference: the dietary restrictions of Leviticus 11 had shaped his convictions. • His plea shows humility; he does not reject God’s word but seeks clarity on how to obey without compromise. Lessons for Us Today • Obedience is immediate, yet thoughtful. We follow God’s voice while testing every directive against His written Word (Acts 17:11). • Convictions formed by Scripture safeguard us from rashly adopting practices that appear spiritual but contradict clear commands (1 John 4:1). • God welcomes honest dialogue from a yielded heart. Discernment includes reverent questioning, not stubborn refusal (James 1:5). Supporting Scriptures • Daniel 1:8—Daniel “resolved not to defile himself” with the king’s food; discernment protects holiness in hostile settings. • Acts 10:13–16—Peter’s vision redefines clean and unclean foods; discernment also recognizes when God Himself expands instruction. • Romans 14:22–23—“Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.” Personal conscience, informed by truth, matters. • Hebrews 5:14—“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.” Discernment grows through practice. Practical Takeaways • Immerse in Scripture so that God’s commands, not culture, shape convictions. • When faced with confusing directives, seek clarity through prayerful study rather than passive compliance or outright rebellion. • Hold a tender conscience—quick to obey, quick to inquire, quick to adjust when the Spirit confirms a better course. • Trust that God honors those who honor His holiness; discernment never diminishes obedience but refines it. |
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