Ezekiel 24:1-5: a reflection

1Again, in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the LORD’s word came to me, saying, 2“Son of man, write the name of the day, this same day. The king of Babylon drew close to Jerusalem this same day. 3Utter a parable to the rebellious house, and tell them, ‘The Lord GOD says, “Put the cauldron on the fire. Put it on, and also pour water into it. 4Gather its pieces into it, even every good piece: the thigh and the shoulder. Fill it with the choice bones. 5Take the choice of the flock, and also a pile of wood for the bones under the cauldron. Make it boil well. Yes, let its bones be boiled within it.”

God tells Ezekiel to do something specific: Write down the name of this day, this very day. For on that very day, far away, the king of Babylon began his siege of Jerusalem, just as God had foretold. God had Ezekiel record the exact date, so that when the news of the siege eventually reached the exiles, they would know that God had spoken of it beforehand, and that his word had come to pass precisely, on the very day.

Notice the precision God underlines here: the very day. The siege of Jerusalem did not come vaguely, at some unspecified time; it came on the exact day God marked, and he had Ezekiel record it so the fulfillment could be verified. God's word is not fulfilled approximately or eventually, but precisely, exactly as and when he speaks it. He knew and named the very day, and it came to pass.

That precision is meant to make us take God's word seriously. God does not speak vaguely or idly; what he says comes to pass exactly, on time, as he foretold. This is true of his warnings, which the exiles were meant to take seriously as they saw them fulfilled to the very day; and it is true of his promises, which are just as sure and precise. Take God's word seriously, both its warnings and its promises, for it is fulfilled with precision, exactly as he speaks it. Do not treat lightly what God has said, as though it were vague or uncertain; the God who marked the very day of the siege fulfills his word exactly. Trust his promises, and heed his warnings, as one who knows that what God speaks comes to pass, precisely and on time.

Lord, you had Ezekiel write down the very day, for on that day the siege of Jerusalem began, just as you had foretold; you underlined the precision of your word, that it comes to pass exactly as and when you speak it. Help me take your word seriously because of that precision. You do not speak vaguely or idly; what you say comes to pass exactly, on time, as you foretell. This is true of your warnings, which the exiles saw fulfilled to the very day, and of your promises, which are just as sure and precise. Help me take your word seriously, both its warnings and its promises, for it is fulfilled with precision. Keep me from treating lightly what you have said, as though it were vague or uncertain; you who marked the very day of the siege fulfill your word exactly. Help me trust your promises, and heed your warnings, as one who knows that what you speak comes to pass, precisely and on time. Your word is sure; help me live by it.