The Old Testament book of Ezekiel contains strange images, displaying disturbing, peculiar, and puzzling prophetic utterances from the Lord. Many people recoil at having anything to do with Ezekiel's book. Not me. It's in my Bible, for a reason, and I'm up for whatever weird and spooky images God chooses to convey His message. Bring it on, Lord!
If you've read Ezekiel 5, you know what I'm talking about. Our prophet is told to cut off the hair on his head along with all of his beard. In those days, religious types are supposed to grow their hair long (Lev. 21:5). Then Ezekial is told to weigh and divide the shaven follicles. Take one-third and burn them. Then he's to scatter the next third around the city, striking those hairy bits with a sword. Hope he has a steady hand! Finally, the remaining locks and curls should be tossed to the wind.
What gives? I scratch my head until I realize that these are symbolic acts, signifying God's judgment on His rebellious and unrepentant people, which should produce terror in their hearts and minds as it would in mine. Hope disappears. All lost. Cut and shaved. Tossed aloft into the sirocco-like winds. Doomsday is just around the corner.
Please don't skip over a rather short verse in Chapter 5. As in this one--'And you shall take from these a small number and bind them in the skirts of your robe' (Ez. 5: 3). I'm not sure that we all get the point of this verse. I had to do some digging myself. Here's what I found--Ezekiel is told to hide some of those shaved-off clippings in the folds of his outer garment, his robe. Kept safe from fire, sword, and wind. Tucked in. Safe and secure from all alarms.
Even when all hell seems to break loose, God takes care of His own. Either in this life or surely in the next. Folded, gathered, and pleated. Stored and securely stashed away. These are God's remnant people, who count on Him alone for their help and care. They find themselves safe in His back pocket, so to speak.
My father kept a 1922 US silver dollar in his wallet in his back pocket (when those large dollar coins mainly contained silver). He said it reminded him to keep some extra money aside for an emergency. He was a good saver. And he urged me to do the same. This is one of the lessons I learned from my Dad. To tuck something away for unexpected troubles.
In a similar vein, the Lord Jesus makes sure that His own are shielded and guarded. Kept in His back pocket. Even more precious than silver and gold. Close by. Within reach. Only a hop, skip, and a jump away. Always on His mind. Embedded with His kindness and care.
This week, when you feel scared or all alone, remember that He keeps you in His neighborhood. He wants to reassure you that all will be well in the folds of His robes, protected from harm, sheltered in His love.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being my Good Shepherd. Amen.
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