"Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious people. – Ezekiel 12:3

Today's Scripture Reading (May 7, 2020): Ezekiel 12

I think that my favorite meme that has emerged over the COVID-19 pandemic is a simple equivalence equation. The meme argues that saying because we have slowed the spread of the virus, we can now end our isolation and our practice of social distancing, is like arguing that the parachute has slowed my rate of descent, so I can now throw it away, while my body is continuing its journey toward the earth. I have never participated in sky diving; I am not all that comfortable with heights. But I think I would still be hugging my parachute for a few moments after my body was once again solidly perched on terra firma.

But it is amazing how people react to anything new. Some can embrace change and enjoy encountering new challenges. These people quickly adapt to whatever the situation might be in the external environment and find their way through the changing circumstances. Others react slowly, and often have their focus on what used to be and put all their energy into finding a path back to that former reality.

Ezekiel is instructed to speak directly to this latter group. It is critical to remind ourselves that Ezekiel is not in Jerusalem when he receives this vision from God. He has been removed from Jerusalem and is already living in exile in Babylon. God sends him this curious message to pack for exile, and to play out in front of the people this drama about the impending exile, to people who are already in exile with Ezekiel. I can imagine the confused looks that Ezekiel received as he daily acted out this divine drama. I can imagine people trying to figure out if maybe Ezekiel had had some sort of the psychological break, questioning whether the current situation had just become too much for the prophet to handle.

But there was a message behind the prophet's actions. Some who had been taken into exile strongly believed that within a matter of weeks, or maybe a few months, God was going to return them home. They had refused to settle in the new land. They told stories of the day, which they believed was coming soon when God would appear and take his people home to Jerusalem and the cities and towns of Judea.

Ezekiel's drama was intended to carry a different meaning. Not only were the people currently living in exile in Babylon not going home any time soon, but the expulsion from Jerusalem and Judea was not yet finished. Another wave of exiles would soon be making their way to Babylon. And Ezekiel hoped that, when this new wave of prisoners arrived, those currently living in Babylon would be able to help the new exiles adjust to their new lives in an unknown land.

The exiles would return home, but not for a generation. Most of the people, who watched Ezekiel's daily drama of getting up every morning and packing for exile, would die in Babylon. The hope was now on their children and grandchildren because it was the next generation that God would return home.   

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 13

Personal Note: Happy Birthday to my son Craig. I am proud of you!