Finding God in the Consistency

Scripture: In the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, write down the name of this day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day" ... "As for you, son of man, surely on the day when I take from them their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes and their soul's desire, and also their sons and daughters, on that day a fugitive will come to you to report to you the news." Ezekiel 24:1-2,25-26

Observation: In this chapter, Ezekiel receives two messages. The first is that, back in Judah, Babylon has now arrived to deal with Jerusalem's rebellion and the city is under siege. The second is that Jerusalem will be destroyed, including the temple itself, and that the exiles are not to mourn it when it happens. What is interesting is the fact that, in both of these circumstances, Ezekiel is either told in real time, or promised he will be told in real time. It's as if the Lord had decided to have Ezekiel on speed-dial, and make him the very first person to receive notifications about the events occurring hundreds of miles away.

And in fact, this is the goal of the Lord in these circumstances. He wants the exiles to be informed, and to behave in a manner worthy of faith in Yahweh. This includes their ability to know if events with both supernatural certainty and speed, and to respond as ones who have faith in the Lord's larger plan. Therefore, the Lord establishes this 'hotline' between himself and Ezekiel, and uses it over and over to establish both credibility and importance. In other words, the Lord makes himself known to the exiles through Ezekiel, and one of the ways he does so is by simple consistency of urgent and accurate news.

Application: I have probably said before, but one of the ways I know of the inaccuracy and errors of certain worldly concepts is by its inconsistency. So many "moral opinions" in the world these days have, at their core, concepts that outright contradict each other. This lack of consistency is clear evidence of flawed logic at best, if not evil intent and/or spiritual warfare.

I find it interesting, therefore, that even in the circumstance of the exile and the total destruction of Jerusalem and the temple - the most brutal and terrible series of events in the bible - that the Lord ensures that the delivery of basic information is consistent and accurate. He includes in that news instructions for behavior and response, but the Lord's consistency and accuracy is on display as well ... the fact that the Lord declares a truth and then it comes to pass is clear.

I will continue to examine the world today through this lens of consistency, and especially consistency as ideas align to the word of God. I know the Lord is consistent and unchanging, and his truths are true forever and in all circumstances.

Prayer: Lord, as I go forward this day, may I see you more and more in the consistencies of this world, those elements that are true at all times, and not quasi-conditional or even contradictory. You are the wise Lord who oversees all, and your thoughts and ways are perfect. Amen.