Eyes on the Prize

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 24:15-27

 

1 Corinthians 9:24

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may ^[a]obtain it.

(NKJV)

 

The problem with sin in one’s life is it leads to a loss of perspective on our relationship with God. Israel and Judah found worship of Baal appealing as it helped them fit in with the pagan nations surrounding them. The peer pressure of fitting in is no different for us today who become believers in Christ as our savior and no longer fit in with those we spent time with before professing our faith in Jesus Christ. This is why each of us needs to have our eyes on the prize of eternal life through salvation by the grace of God and not give in to the pleasures of sin.

 

The Lord lets Ezekiel know he is about to lose the desire of his eyes, his wife but that he will neither mourn nor weep publicly at her death (Ezekiel 24:15-16). His sighing will be in silence with him going about his affairs as usual. He will put on his turban, and sandals, and not cover his lips but continue speaking as a prophet (Ezekiel 24:17). After speaking to the people, which was his custom, Ezekiel’s wife dies in the evening, and he did as the Lord commanded (Ezekiel 24:18).

 

This unusual behavior caused the people to wonder what this signified for them as it was customary for Ezekiel to provide illustrations with his words from the Lord (Ezekiel 24:19). Ezekiel answers with a word from the Lord letting them know He will profane His sanctuary, the boasting of the people, and that their children will fall by the sword (Ezekiel 24:20-21). Israel And Judah will react similarly to Ezekiel at the loss of his wife by not mourning the loss of their connection with God (Ezekiel 24:22). Like Ezekiel, they will put on their turbans and sandals, neither mourn nor weep, and pine away in their iniquities (Ezekiel 24:23). This is what the sign of Ezekiel’s behavior means for the people of Israel and Judah who do not mourn or weep at the loss of their connection with God (Ezekiel 24:24).

 

The Lord then speaks to Ezekiel, letting him know what will happen on the day Israel and Judah lose their stronghold, joy, and the glory of their eyes along with the loss of their children (Ezekiel 24:25). On that day, one will escape and come to Ezekiel and let him hear it with his own ears (Ezekiel 24:26). On this day, Ezekiel will no longer be mute but speak freely as a sign to the people that the Lord God is Lord of all (Ezekiel 24:27).

 

The sins and abominations of Israel and Judah have blinded them to the fact that they are losing what is most important to them, the things given to them by God. To illustrate this to Israel and Judah, God commands Jeremiah not to publicly mourn the loss of his wife but to go on with life as usual (Ezekiel 24:17). This served its purpose with the people wondering what Jeremiah’s actions signified for them (Ezekiel 24:19). The people would hear from the Lord through Jeremiah so they must have known his actions were under the instructions of the Lord. The truth is that the lack of mourning by Jeremiah at the loss of his wife is no different than the loss of relationship with God Israel and Judah are suffering due to their sin. The heart of the Lord and Jeremiah is for a restoration of a relationship with God for Israel and Judah by turning back to God in repentance (Deuteronomy 30:1-10).

 

The pleasures of sin blind us to the fact sin separates us from God and a future of eternity living in God’s presence. The pleasures of sin are real and pleasing to our flesh but always come with consequences with the main consequence, separation from God (Isaiah 59:1-8). All of us have sinned and experienced separation from God (Romans 3:23) and live under a death sentence from God (Romans 6:23). However, our situation is not hopeless for God’s gift of grace to humanity is salvation from sin and eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16; Romans 6:23). Every person has a sin problem that needs God’s gift of salvation.

 

Unfortunately, many Churches never mention sin today out of fear of offending someone. Since sin is offensive to God, failure to mention sin and its consequences from the pulpit offends God for it does not open the door to one receiving God’s gift of salvation through Grace. My prayer is that the Church would return to lifting up Jesus and how He came to redeem fallen humanity through his death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 10:9-10). If this causes some to leave offended, pray for them for their offensive feelings are the conviction of the Holy Spirit due to sin in their lives (John 16:5-10). Pray that the work of the Holy Spirit will continue in their lives.

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed for the forgiveness of your sins making Jesus the Lord of your life, or have drifted away from your relationship with Christ, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.