Lesson 180

Ezekiel’s Call

Ezekiel 2:1-3:15

MEMORY VERSEEZEKIEL 3:10“Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that Ispeak to you, and hear with your ears.”

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:Masking tape, small balloons and blindfolds (old clean socks orrags will do).

Tortillas (one for each child in your class) and honey.

A copy of both templates for each child, scissors, crayons ormarkers, and paper fasteners.

ATTENTION GETTER!

Balloon RebellionFor this game, you will need masking tape, small balloons, andblindfolds (old clean socks or rags will do).

Using masking tape, make a square 4’ x 4’ (make bigger if needed).Divide the class in half and ask half the class to stand inside of thesquare. Give them each blindfolds. Ask everyone else to blow up asmall balloon. Ask the children with the balloons to stand againstthe walls around the classroom. Ask the children to tap theballoons into the air and keep them in the air using no hands,blowing them to propel them up. They need to keep blowing onthe balloons to keep them airborne. The children inside of thesquare must listen for the balloons and keep the balloons fromcoming into the square. They also cannot use their hands, onlytheir breath. If a balloon lands in either area, a point will go to thatteam. Keep playing until all of the balloons have landed or set atime limit of a few minutes.

The people in the center square are like the people of Israel intoday’s lesson, blinded by their sin. The balloons are like the Wordof God. The people of Israel did not want the Word of Godanywhere near them. They did not want to hear Ezekiel’s message.But, the people learned that when they disobey God, they miss outon blessings. When we do not obey, we also miss out on blessings.The other children trying to get the balloons into the square arelike Ezekiel. They keep faithfully trying to deliver the Word eventhough the children in the square are trying to keep it far away.God may call us to do something for him. Other people may notappreciate our service or want to hear what we have to say. But weneed to be strong and do what we know is right.

LESSON TIME!Ezekiel was chosen to be God’s prophet to those Israeli’s who, as aresult of God’s judgment, had been carried away to Babylon. It wasnot an easy task. He was born and raised in the land of Judah andwas preparing to become a priest in God's temple when theBabylonians attacked in 597 BC and carried him away along with10,000 other captives (see 2 Kings 24:10-14). Five years later, livingas a captive in Babylon, Ezekiel would see one of the most gloriousand awesome displays of God’s presence and power (verse 1:4).Through this vision, God called Ezekiel to be His prophet.

The Israelites in exile had lost their perspective on God’s purposeand presence in their life. They continued to ignore God’s lovingattempts to call them to repentance and chose instead to listen to“false prophets” who spoke comforting lies. Though Ezekiel knewhe faced a rebellious people and that he was sure to sufferhardship because of his message, he was faithful, choosing torespond to God’s calling. He preached to a rebellious people for 22years! To love God is to obey God.

EZ EKIEL 2:1-7And He said t o m e , "S on o f m an , s t and on you r f ee t ,and I w i l l sp eak t o you ."

Then the S p i r i t en t ered m e w hen He sp oke t o m e ,and se t m e on m y f eet ; and I heard Him w ho sp oke t om e.

And He said t o m e : "S on o f m an , I am send ing you tothe c h i ld ren o f I s rae l , t o a rebe l l i ou s nat i on that hasrebe l l ed again s t M e ; they and the i r f athers hav et ransgres sed again s t M e t o th i s v ery day .

"For they are im p u dent and s tu bborn c h i ld ren . I amsend ing you to them , and you shal l s ay t o them ,'Thu s says the Lord GOD . '

"As f or them , w hether they hear or w hether theyref u se ; f or they are a rebe l l i ou s hou se ; yet they w i l lknow that a p rop het has been am ong them .

"And you , son o f m an , do not be af raid o f them norbe af raid o f the i r w ords , thou gh br i er s and thornsare w i th you and you dw el l am ong s c orp ions ; do notbe af raid o f the i r w ords or d i sm ayed by the i r l ooks ,thou gh they are a rebe l l i ou s hou se .

"You shal l sp eak M y w ords t o them , w hether theyhear or w hether they re f u se , f or they are rebe l l i ou s .

Ezekiel is no different than many in the Bible who behold God’sglory—his response was to fall to the ground in fear, reverence, andawe. As God reveals His glory, Ezekiel can do nothing more than tolay on the ground in humble adoration.

The Creator addresses His creation by calling him “son of man” (orson of dust). It is amazing that God chooses to work His divine willon earth through mortal, imperfect beings. We are made fromdust, yet God chooses to place within us life and breath andindwell us by His Spirit.

God encouraged Ezekiel not to be afraid. Ezekiel would be asked tocarry out a very difficult ministry—declaring God’s Word to astubborn and rebellious against God. Rather than acknowledgingand repenting of the sins that had brought God’s judgment uponthem, the Jewish exiles chose to think of their time in Babylon as atemporary setback that would soon end. Ezekiel, standing uponthe truth of God’s Word, would not be welcome. The people’sresponse would be sharp, barbed like a thorn, stinging like ascorpion. Ezekiel’s love for God would truly be tested. To loveGod is to obey God.

EZ EKIEL 2:8-3:3"Bu t you , son o f m an , hear w hat I s ay t o you . D o notbe rebe l l i ou s l i k e that rebe l l i ou s hou se ; op en you rm ou th and eat w hat I gi v e you ."

N ow w hen I l ooked , there w as a hand s t re t c hed ou tto m e; and beho ld , a s c ro l l o f a book w as in i t .

Then He sp read i t be f ore m e; and there w as w r i t ingon the in s ide and on the ou t s ide , and w r i t t en on i tw ere l am entat i ons and m ou rn ing and w oe .

M oreov er He said t o m e , "S on o f m an , eat w hat youf ind ; eat th i s s c ro l l , and go , sp eak t o the hou se o fI s rae l ."

S o I op ened m y m ou th , and He c au sed m e to eat thats c ro l l .

And He said t o m e , "S on o f m an , f eed you r be l l y , andf i l l you r s t om ac h w i th th i s s c ro l l that I gi v e you ." S oI at e , and i t w as in m y m ou th l i ke honey insw eetnes s .

What an awesome responsibility Ezekiel had in presenting God’smessage to people who were ungrateful and abusive. Three timesGod told Ezekiel not be afraid or dismayed. His ministry woulddemand that he remain strong and unshaken as others wouldthreaten him and possibly even try to kill him.

We may also be called to be an example and to share our faith withpeople who may be unkind to us. Just as Ezekiel was faithful andcould not be discouraged, so we are to be faithful in sharing theGospel with others in those times that are easy to share as well asthose times when it is difficult (2 Timothy 4:2). To love God is t oobey God. We need not fear experiencing criticism, for God’sstrength will be ours under every circumstance.

"But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebelliouslike that rebellious house;….” Ezekiel could have refused God’s callon his life. He could have looked at what God asked him to do andsaid it was too hard. He could have told God to find someone elseto do this difficult task. How sad that would have been. Ezekielwould have missed out on the very purpose of His life—to serveand bring pleasure to His Creator. Though indeed it was a difficulttask, Ezekiel could be sure that it was God’s task. He would supplythe strength and grace to carry out his will.

God asked Ezekiel to eat a scroll. It seems like a strange request.But, God was creating an illustration. The Word of God tasted assweet as honey. If Israel had only listened and obeyed God’s Word;it would have been as honey to their lives. His Word would notonly build their faith, but its wisdom would sweeten their lives

with blessings. Though God’s Word tasted sweet to Ezekiel, thosewho refused to obey God’s Word would taste only the bitterness ofjudgment.

Can you imagine being asked to eat a scroll? God does call us tofeed on His Word, the Bible. We must absorb it and allow it tobecome a part of our own lives before we can give it out to others.As we prepare ourselves, becoming saturated with God’s Word, Godwill send us out as He did Ezekiel to reach those who need hear.

Honey Dipped ScrollsBring some tortillas and honey. Have the children take one tortillaeach. They can gently tear off the edges to make squares. From thesquares let them make scrolls. Pass the honey around and let themdip their scroll in honey and eat them (no double dippingthough…), just like Ezekiel ate the scrolls.

EZ EKIEL 3:4-11Then He said t o m e : "S on o f m an , go t o the hou se o fI s rae l and sp eak w i th M y w ords t o them .

"For you are not s en t t o a p eop le o f u n f am i l i arsp eec h and o f hard l angu age , bu t t o the hou se o fI s rae l ,

"not t o m any p eop le o f u n f am i l i ar sp eec h and o fhard l angu age , w hose w ords you c annot u nders t and .S u re ly , had I s en t you t o them , they w ou ld hav el i s t ened to you .

"Bu t the hou se o f I s rae l w i l l no t l i s t en t o you ,bec au se they w i l l no t l i s t en t o M e ; f or al l t he hou seof I s rae l are im p u dent and hard -hear t ed .

"Beho ld , I hav e m ade you r f ac e s t rong again s t the i rf ac es , and you r f orehead s t rong again s t the i rf oreheads .

"L i ke adam ant s t one , harder than f l in t , I hav e m adeyou r f orehead ; do not be af raid o f them , nor bed i sm ayed at the i r l ooks , thou gh they are a rebe l l i ou shou se ."

M oreov er He said t o m e : "S on o f m an , rec e i v e in toyou r hear t al l M y w ords that I sp eak t o you , and hearw i th you r ears .

"And go , ge t t o the c ap t i v es , t o the c h i ld ren o f you rp eop le , and sp eak t o them and t e l l t hem , 'Thu s saysthe Lord GOD , ' w hether they hear , or w hether theyref u se ."

God had called the nation of Israel to be a light among therebellious nations around them. They were called to live as God'srepresentatives, drawing all men to Him so they too couldexperience His mercy and grace. But now the people of Israel hadturned away from God, choosing to live in the darkness of Hisjudgment. The far off foreign nations would have listened toEzekiel’s message, but God’s people turned a deaf ear to his words.

God gave Ezekiel the ability to be as hard and stubborn as thepeople of Israel were in order to proclaim His message. God makesHis followers strong enough to stand against anything or anyone,including those who hate what is right. Just as God gave Ezekieltough love and tough faith, He will also give us the stability,perseverance, and insight we need to live up to the task He hasgiven us. He will prepare us to carryout His calling in our life. Weneed only to respond in obedience. In Romans 8:31 we read, “IfGod is for us, who can be against us?” To love God is to obeyGod.

God desired that Ezekiel receive “into his heart” all the words Hehad given him. Again, in preparation for the ministry, God wantedHis Word to sink deep into his own heart before he spoke it toothers. If we desire to be effective in ministry, God’s Word mustsink deeply into our hearts.

EZ EKIEL 3:12-15Then the S p i r i t l i f t ed m e u p , and I heard beh ind m ea great thu nderou s v o i c e : "B l es sed i s the glory o f theLORD f rom Hi s p l ac e !"

I al so heard the no i s e o f the w ings o f the l i v ingc reatu res that t ou c hed one another , and the no i s e o fthe w hee l s bes ide them , and a great thu nderou sno i se .

S o the S p i r i t l i f t ed m e u p and took m e aw ay , and Iw en t in bi t t ernes s , i n the heat o f m y sp i r i t ; bu t thehand o f the LORD w as s t rong u p on m e.

Then I c am e to the c ap t i v es at Te l Abib, w ho dw el t bythe R iv er Chebar ; and I s at w here they sat , andrem ained there as ton i shed am ong them sev en days .

Ezekiel must have been in awe as the Spirit of the Lord lifted himup to take him to the place where he was to begin his ministry.Distracted by a loud rushing sound, Ezekiel heard the wings of thecherubim brushing against each other and a thunderous voice ofpraise: "Blessed is the glory of the LORD from His place!"

Ezekiel was carried to his destination to begin ministry “inbitterness, in the heat of my spirit.” Understanding the situationand purpose of his calling, he was passionate—feeling deep sorrowand anger over the people’s rebellion. How could so many peoplefoolishly turn away from God’s love and concern for them?

By the river Chebar, Ezekiel sat quietly for seven days. This was acustomary period of mourning for the dead (Genesis 50:10, 1Samuel 31:13, Job 2:13). It appears that Ezekiel was mourning forthe spiritually dead. Sorrow over the sins of the people hadgripped his heart.

Note: “The strong hand of the Lord” was upon Ezekiel—this was thesecret of His ministry. God would be Ezekiel’s strength as he faceda rebellious people who would not heed his message and as heendured distain, threatenings, and persecution. The message ofrepentance burned in his heart as he proclaimed God’s judgmentand salvation for the next 22 years. Ezekiel was faithful andobedient to his calling. To love God is to obey God.

In 2 Timothy 4:2 we are exhorted, “Preach the word! Be ready inseason and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with alllongsuffering and teaching.” In other words, whether you feel likeit or not—in good times and in difficult times—be faithful to servethe Lord! As we walk with the Lord there will be times of great joy,times we feel especially “close” to the Lord; but, there will also betimes when we feel overwhelmed--struggling with sin, hardships,or everyday tasks. No matter what your mood, what your state, befaithful to show God’s love and share His Word. Ezekieldemonstrated faithfulness and love for God even in the midst ofgreat trials. To love God is to obey God.

God’s PromisesGod promised to be with Ezekiel and to give him strength. God hasalso promised to be with us in everything we do. Here’sinstructions to make a “God’s Promises” wheel. You will need acopy of both templates for each child (provided with thecurriculum), scissors, crayons, or markers, and paper fasteners.

Cut out all of the circles. Color the pictures and the writing usingmarkers or crayons. Place the circle with the pictures on thebottom. The smaller circle with the scriptures will go on top of thecircle with pictures. Then the “God’s Promises” circle goes on top.Poke a hole through the center of the three circles. Place a paperfastener or brad through the hole. All three wheels should be ableto spin.

Have the children turn the picture circle and to find a picture.Then challenge them to match the scripture verse with the picture.Anytime we have a problem, we can go to the Lord for help!

PRAYERLead the children in a prayer of commitment to follow God and toobey Him. If there are any children who have not yet responded tothe Gospel, give them opportunity.

Template - Godʼs Promises Wheel

Template - Godʼs Promises Wheel