Ezekiel 33:7-11

“So you, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.” vs. 7

Ezekiel had been taken to Babylon with the first group of captives in the early 6th century BCE. There he had been called to be a prophet to all those in exile. It was not a good job! Being a prophet seldom is! He understood himself as being compelled to issue warnings to the people whenever they crossed the line into what he understood as wickedness. It was tempting for him to ignore the word of the Lord and let the people face the consequences of their sin. But the Lord wouldn’t let him off the hook. If he didn’t say anything it would be him who got the punishment!

We regularly face Jeremiah’s dilemma in our families and communities. We know enough about behaviors and their consequences to know that some folks are skating on thin ice. We know, based on our experience in the world, that, if they continue in the way they have chosen, they’re going to have difficulties. They may even die! 

And we’d like very much to say, “Oh well, too bad. It’s not my problem.” But we can’t get out of it that easily. Sometimes keeping our mouths shut is not the best option, and if we love these folks, we have an obligation to warn them of the dangers ahead. That isn’t pleasant and it may lose us a friend, but prophets can’t be still.

Thought for the Day: When does another person become my business?