THE CALLING OF EZEKIEL

When we encounter Ezekiel for the first time, as a descendant of Jacob's son, Levi, he is a priest of
profession (Ez 1:2). As such, their daily work had previously consisted of sacrificing, slaughtering, and roasting the animals of the
sacrifice that people brought to the temple in Jerusalem. As a priest, he was also a moral and spiritual guide for the
people, who taught the law of God and decided on disputes (Lev 10:11; Deut 17:8–10; 33:10).

However, his priestly work was violently interrupted when he was taken captive to Babylon in the first
deportation of the Jews from Jerusalem in the year 605 BC. In Babylon, the exiled Jewish community was burdened by two
questions: "Has God been unjust to us?" and "What did we do to deserve this?" Psalm 137:1–4 captures well the
desolation of these exiled Jews:

By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. On the willows in the midst of it
we hung up our harps. For there those who had taken us captive asked us for songs, and those who tormented us
They asked us for joy, saying: Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the song of the Lord in a foreign land?
strange?

In exile in Babylon, Ezekiel receives an impressive call from God. Like Isaiah's call (Isa 6:1–8), Ezekiel's call
Ezekiel begins with a vision of God (Ezekiel 1:4–2:8) and concludes with the command to become a prophet. The calls
Direct references to a particular work class are scarce in the Bible, and Ezekiel's is one of the most striking.
Although Ezekiel's original profession was the priesthood, God called him to a prophetic career that was both political and
religious. It is appropriate that the vision in which he received his calling includes political symbols such as the wheels (Ezekiel 1:16),
an army (Ezekiel 1:24), a throne (Ezekiel 1:26), and a watchman (Ezekiel 3:17), but without including priestly symbols. The calling of
Ezequiel should put an end to the idea that God's calls take people away from their secular professions and
they lead to an ecclesiastical ministry.[1] Or to put it more precisely, Ezekiel, like everyone in ancient Israel, does not
there is no occupation as something secular. Any work we do is a reflection of our relationship with God; not
there is a need to change occupation to do work that serves God.
The prophetic career of Ezekiel begins with the exile in Babylon eleven years before the final destruction of Jerusalem.
The first thing God assigns him is to question the false promises of the false prophets, who assured him of the
exiles that Babylon would be defeated and that they would soon return home. In the first chapters of the book, Ezekiel has
a series of visions that describe the horrors of the siege of Jerusalem and then the massacre during the city's capture.

Ezekiel was chosen to be God's prophet for the Israelites who, as a result of God's judgment, had been
taken to Babylon. It was not an easy task. He was born and raised in the land of Judah and was preparing to become
in a priest in the temple of God when the Babylonians attacked in 597 BC and took him along with 10,000 others
prisoners (2 Kings 24:10-14).
Five years later, living as a captive in Babylon, Ezekiel would see one of the most glorious revelations and
amazing presence and power of God (Ezekiel 1:4). Through this vision, God called Ezekiel to be His
prophet. The Israelites in exile lost their perspective on the purpose and presence of God in their lives. They
they continued to ignore God's attempts to call them to repentance and preferred to listen to the 'false prophets'
that spoke comforting lies. Even though Ezekiel knew that he would face a rebellious people and that he was
sure that he would suffer difficulties because of his message, he was faithful; choosing to respond to the call of God and preach to
a rebellious people for 22 years. The Lord speaks to Ezekiel calling him 'son of man' and chooses him to be His
messenger. God encouraged Ezekiel not to be afraid, for he would have to carry out a very difficult ministry, declaring the
Word of God to a stubborn and rebellious people against God. Instead of recognizing and repenting for the sins that
they had brought God's judgment upon themselves, the exiled Jews chose to live their time in Babylon as a setback
a temporary one that would end soon, and Ezekiel, facing the truth with the Word of God, would not be welcome. The response
the people would be filled with hatred and Ezekiel's love for God would truly be tested. Ezekiel 2:1, He said to me:
Son of man, stand on your feet and I will speak with you." God often speaks to humanity through the mouth of
the prophets. Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man on several occasions, and represented God the Father to humanity and God
call Ezeiel, son of man, here, for He will speak to humanity through Ezeiel.

Ezekiel 2:2, "After he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and stood me on my feet, and I heard him who was speaking to me."
we see where the Spirit gives Ezekiel power to carry out His ministry, while speaking to him. We find several others
occasions in the Old Testament where the Spirit came upon the faithful servants of the Lord as in: Numbers 24:2;
Judges 3:10; 1 Samuel 10:10, 16:13-14, 19:20; 2 Chronicles 15:1. Before the first coming of Christ, the Spirit did not
He dwelt in all believers as now, but rather "moved" and "came upon them" as we read in 2 Peter 1:20-21.
God does not expect us to understand everything about Him, but rather that we desire to be obedient and faithful servants to what we know.
It is true and correct. God has given, and continues to give His servants the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill His
commandments. Ezekiel 2:3, "He said to me: 'Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a nation of rebels that are
they rebelled against me; they and their parents have rebelled against me to this very day." Here God is speaking to
Ezekiel about Israel, but this message is not only for Judah, this message is for all those who rebel.
against God.
Ezekiel 2:4, 'Therefore, I send you to the children of a hard face and a stubborn heart, and you shall say to them: 'Thus says the Lord'
Mr. "Hardened" in this case means contemptuous, insolent, and we see that their hearts have hardened.
consequence, due to their hardened hearts, God tells Ezekiel to say to them: "Thus says the Lord God
Sir. God wanted Ezekiel and the people to know that it was He who was warning them. God is speaking with the
religious leaders held captive in Israel; they had the temple, luxurious robes, money, and religious rituals and services.
But their hearts were evil, and God rejected their rituals and sacrifices. And they lost everything because of their rebellion and
hypocrisy.
God will not judge us by how well others respond to our testimony, but by how faithful we have been; and He
He always gives us the strength to accomplish what He asks us to do. Ezekiel 2:5, "Perhaps they will listen; but if not
they will listen, because they are a rebellious house, they will always know that there was a prophet among them." These people are so hard
from the heart; that perhaps they will hear it and perhaps not. However, when the spoken words become reality, they will know, without
No doubt, they were warned by a prophet of God. In any case, people could not claim ignorance.
just as they cannot do today. Just as Ezekiel was sent as a message to the children of Israel, there are many
pious messengers today who are treated in the same way that Ezekiel was. Ezekiel 2:6, 'And you, son of
man, do not fear them, nor be afraid of their words, even if you find yourself among thorns and thistles, and dwell with scorpions;
Do not be afraid of their words, nor be intimidated before them, for they are a rebellious house. Do not be afraid, speak to them three times.
sometimes to Ezekiel to encourage him to fulfill God's mission. The thorns, spines, and blackberries with scorpions are words
figurative that God used to describe the people of Judah, whose stubborn rejection of His Word would be like thorns,
thorns and blackberries with scorpions for Ezequiel.

The Lord was preparing Ezekiel for his mission by giving him the assurance that He would be with him. The servants of God do not
They must fear men; therefore, neither should we fear and be a true example to the rude people. Ezekiel
2:7, "You shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear; for they are a rebellious house." Ezekiel had to be faithful.
to God. Even though these were rebellious people who would not listen or would refuse to listen, he should not stop
bring them the prophecy that God had given to them. Ezekiel had to be faithful to try to save the souls of those
to whom it was sent. This is applicable to all those who try to teach the Word of God to others. We must
obey His voice, which the Spirit that dwells in us gives, just as He gave to Ezekiel. The strength of God is what
powerful enough to help us live for Him, even under much criticism. The rebellion in the Bible is
compared to witchcraft in the eyes of God. Today's ministers and missionaries can bring the truth to people, and still
they will be rejected. However, just because people do not hear, it does not relieve us of the burden to teach. Just as it was said to
Ezequiel, it is our duty to bring God's message to people, and the Holy Spirit will do the rest. Paul instructed
Timothy: "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all
patience and doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:2).
Ezekiel 2:8, "But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth, and
eat what I give you." God is telling Ezekiel to receive this message in his innermost being. He must not be like
these rebellious children of Israel, who will not accept the message of God. We must also read the Word of God.
every day and keep it in our hearts and minds, and do what God has commanded us. Ezekiel had to
obey the command, not literally eating a roll, but in a spiritual sense receiving God's message so that it is
became an internal passion for him.

THE CALL OF JEREMIAH

Jeremiah, the prophet of the broken heart, is the author of this book that bears his name. It is one of the books most
notable figures of the Bible. Each book of the Bible is remarkable, but this book of Jeremiah is notable in an unusual way. The
Most prophets hide themselves and maintain a character of anonymity. That is to say, they themselves do not
they project themselves in the pages of their prophecies. But here we have a prophet whose prophecy is, to a large extent,
autobiographical. He has left us much of his own personal story. Let's review his life for a moment through
from a list of facts about him, so that you can get to know this man, whom we will meet in this book.
First of all, he was born a priest in the city of Anatot, north of Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 1:1)
He was chosen to be a prophet before he was born (1:5)
He was called to prophesy when he was very young (1:6)
4. God entrusted him with the mission of being a prophet (1:9-10)

5. He began his ministry during the reign of King Josiah and was one of those who expressed his grief at the funeral of him.
king (2 Chron. 35:25)
He was forbidden to marry because of the terrible times he lived in (16:1-4).
7. He never managed to get anyone to convert. He was rejected by his people (11:18-21); (12:6); (18:18). He was hated,
beaten, placed in the stocks (20:1-3); was put in prison and accused of being a traitor (37:11-16).
8. His message broke his own heart. (9:1).
He wanted to resign from his position, but God did not allow it (20:9).
10. He saw the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity in Babylon. The captain of the Babylonian forces allowed him
to remain in their land. When the remnant wanted to flee to Egypt, Jeremiah prophesied against that desire (42:15-43:3). It was
forced to go with the remnant to Egypt (43:6-7) and died there. According to tradition, he was stoned by the remnant of
Israelites.
So just with this data we can verify that he was a remarkable man. He has been called 'The Crying Prophet,' but not
in a derogatory sense. He spent most of his life shedding tears. God chose this man, who had a
maternal heart, a trembling voice, and eyes filled with tears, to communicate a severe message of judgment. The message
what he had to proclaim broke his own heart. This man was a great servant of God. Speaking honestly,
I believe that neither you nor I would have chosen this kind of man to convey such a severe message. Instead,
We would have chosen a tough person to convey that kind of message, wouldn't we? But God did not choose that.
type of man, but rather chose a man with a tender and compassionate heart.
We would like to present now two statements regarding the prophet Jeremiah, statements made by
men in the past.
It is difficult to conceive of a situation more painful than that of a great man, condemned to observe the slow agony of a
exhausted country, to care for it spiritually during the alternating fits of astonishment and delirium that precede its
dissolution, and to observe how the symptoms of vitality disappear one by one, until only coldness remains,
darkness and corruption." Up to this point, the quote. This was Jeremiah's position and call. He was there and could see his
people led into captivity.
Jeremiah had to prophesy at a time when all things in Judea were rushing towards a
tragic and final catastrophe; when the political upheaval was at its peak; when the worst passions
they dominated the different parts and the most disastrous advice was the one that prevailed. It was up to him to intervene.
on the path by which his nation was plunging headlong into destruction; to make a heroic effort to
to stop it and to reverse the process; to fail, to be forced to step aside and watch his own people, whom he loved
"with the tenderness of a woman, to throw oneself into the abyss, towards an enormous and muddy ruin." So far the quote.

He was not powerful like Elijah, eloquent like Isaiah, poor and humble like Ezekiel, but a shy, shameful man.
aware of his powerlessness, eager to receive compassion and love that he would never know: Such was the instrument by
through which the Word of the Lord reached that corrupt and degenerate time.
I can't go on. This matter is tearing me apart. I'm about to have a nervous breakdown. It would be better that
you will resort to another person." And the Lord, in a way, it was as if He had said to him: "Very well, but I will keep your resignation.
about my desk because I believe you will return." And Jeremiah returned and said in his chapter 20:9, there was in my heart like a
burning fire embedded in my bones. I tried to resist it, but I couldn't. And it conveyed the message, but it broke her.
heart. God wanted to have that kind of man, because he was the right man to deliver such a severe message.
God wanted the Israelites to know that, although he was sending them into captivity and judging them in doing so, that
He was breaking His divine heart. As Isaiah said in 28:21, judgment is God's strange work. Jeremiah
he began his ministry approximately a century after Isaiah. He started his work during the reign of King Josiah and
he continued during the captivity in Babylon. He was the one who predicted the 70 years of captivity in Babylon. He also saw,
beyond the darkness of captivity, the light, No other prophet spoke so brilliantly, with so much enthusiasm, about the
future. We will have the opportunity to verify it as we progress in our study of this beautiful prophecy. The
Jeremiah's message was the most unpleasant ever communicated to a people, and it was rejected. It was considered a
traitor to his country because he said that they should surrender to Babylon. The prophet Isaiah, almost a century before him, had spoken
of resisting, Why this change? In the days of Jeremiah, there was only one thing left to do: surrender. In the economy of
God, the nation was finished. The times of the nations had already begun with Babylon, like the head of gold.
of the great image described in Daniel 2.
The word 'recidivism' was the characteristic of Jeremiah's message, which appears 13 times. It was a word used only 4
times in the Old Testament; 1 time in the book of Proverbs and 3 times in that of Hosea. It is that the message of the prophet
Oseas was also addressed to a recalcitrant nation. The proper name that predominates in the book was 'Babylon', which
appears 164 times, more than in the total of the passages of the Bible combined. Babylon became the enemy.