If we are all called to be witnesses of Jesus was the prophetic call to his own group of people the same as being a disciple of Jesus. I think the definition of the prophetic call only being for one type of person is a greater myth then the truth of reality that the prophetic call is also a yield on one’s life to God. Either through parents dedicating a child to the temple like Samuel, or the prophetic call like Elijah, who Elisha toss his mantel too and yet Elisha understood not, that it was not Elisha that called but God until Elisha told him so. The prophetic call and relationship to God is far different then the average person‘s call. Many people prophesy today but it does not mean they have the prophetic call of leadership as Elijah, Samuel, Ezekiel, Daniel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah did in the Old Testament. The disciples of Christ all are called and all have the prophetic gift by the Holy Spirit when He calls one to speak. Yet the prophetic call to speak does not mean everyone is meant to be a leader in a nation, world, or hometown. God calls people into those positions. Those position man might establish, but it is not always God’s calling. Someone might be called to teach a small group, or in a place of work, or at home. Serving in their church, or in other places and their role just as equally as important as a national leader. Ezekiel’s call was to the nation of Israel to a people that spoke the Hebrew tongue. Not a foreign language. He was called to the House of Israel to speak the prophesies God gave him of what the enemy was fixing to do. God allowed the enemy to rise up for a time. He does not promote evil but he allows it to rise until it time for it to be destroyed.

Ezekiel was called to speak to a nation and his relationship with God was effected by this call. God warned him not to be like the nation he spoke too. He warn him to be separate to the call on his life. Ezekiel did not argue back like Moses did, or some of the others. He was submissive to the call God had on his life. Was it the position of him being in the priesthood that caused the submission to God. He already knew what he had to do as leader. Or was it because of free will that he obeyed God. In truth Eli Samuel predecessor a righteous man but his sons were not, yet they held priesthood positions. You can be a minister of faith and obedience to God or in obedience to God in what His word says for you to say and be a devil. God calls you to speak to speak prophesy, it still your choice to obey God.

This relationship that Ezekiel had with God before his prophetic vision and calling had to do with a right relationship in obedience of the priesthood laws. God choose him because perhaps his obedience and knew he was able to perform the duties and call on his life. No one who desire for wild living should remain in position of religious leadership. Young people should never be expected to lead for long periods of time, until they gotten through those teen years and have had time to decide on educated level of obedience to God. Most sixteen year olds only know what is to live at home. Never experiencing life outside the doors opened to them at that age. People need time to fail and to run in obedience to God. Even when the train response is yes Lord, it does not mean the actions will be yes Lord.

The other day I was watching on news where cops and other gun experts were learning how to respond to shooter. One thing that was stated you can train the mind on how to respond in difficult situations, so protocol will kick in even when fear wants to control. There truth in that. Fact is Christians you can train you children to give the Christian response in life situations, but until their choice is I want to be in compliance to the response, it has no value. One can respond with protocol or one can do whatever they want. Ezekiel call dictated he had to go with protocol not what he might wish to do. The message God had for Ezekiel to deliver called for his obedience. The old cliché of practice what you preach comes to mind for this lesson. Because simply Ezekiel obedience to God was needed. It was not another cliché of chain/train reaction. Ezekiel had that obedience due to faith in God. It took faith when people are against you. Christians our first call is to obedience, and to share the word of God. Yet obedience has to be learned, and so does the word of God.

Dear Heavenly Father remind your people that your call is to obey, though many many speak your words of righteousness. That the true prophetic call requires the prophet to walk in obedience. Not in perfection, but in obedience with humility. In Jesus precious name, Amen.