Calling and Eating-Ezekiel 1-3

“…eat this scroll…” (Ezekiel 3:1, 3).

God’s calling is foundational to our lives as God’s children. It determines the trajectory, direction and inner motivation of our lives.

Isaiah’s calling (Conversion and Calling) shows the process (Isaiah 6): See Jesus, Saved by Jesus, Serve Jesus.

Jeremiah’s calling (Called Before Conception) emphasizes the intimacy of God (Jeremiah 1).

Ezekiel’s calling reveals the components of God’s calling: The Spirit, the hand of God and the scroll representing the word of God, which Ezekiel was commanded to eat (Ezekiel 2-3). It is interesting how a person’s life’s calling is so much like eating!

1. The Spirit Encompasses the Call (2:1-2; 3:12-15, 24).
2. The Word is the Center and Substance of the Call (2:9-3:3).
3. The strong hand of the Lord lifts you and … distresses you (Eze 3:14b-15, 22).

From Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel’s calling, the common factor is an encounter with God.

• Isaiah sees the Lord high and exalted and seated on a throne (Isa 6:1,5).
• The word of the Lord comes to Jeremiah and choses him to be a prophet (Jer 1:4).
• Ezekiel sees the radiant appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord and heard the voice of one speaking to him (Eze 1:28; 2:1). However, each calling is also unique.

Practical Questions asked during the worship service (that the Bible does not specifically answer):

• Should I stay at my job if I hate my job?
• What job should I take when there are so many different jobs out there?
• How would I know what my specific calling is in life?
• Who is the person I should date or marry?
• How do I personally and practically live a life worthy of the calling I have received (Eph 4:1)?

1. What is the role of the Spirit (2:1-2; 3:12-14, 24-26) and the word (2:1, 9-10; 3:1-4, 10-11, 27) in Ezekiel’s calling? What do you think it means to eat the scroll (Eze 3:1-3)?
2. What do the following verses teach you about about the Spirit and the Word? How is one’s calling related to them?
   1. 1 Corinthians 2:10-14.
   2. John 4:24.
   3. John 6:63.
   4. John 14:15-17, 21, 23-24, 26; 16:7-8, 13-15.
   5. Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4.
   6. Galatians 5:14, 16-18, 22-26.