“Sent To Seek The Lost!”

“Sent To Seek The Lost!”(Ez.3:1-12&4:10-12).
The other day, we dwelled on the particular within the general. When we read the Bible, we should distinguish between the universal messages and those that are directed to individuals and are context-specific.
The call of each biblical messenger – be they prophets, evangelists, apostles, or heralds – is unique. Isaiah was not called in the same way that Jeremiah was called, etc.
Worthy of note is that there are different calls, but one mission: bringing lost sheep back to the sheep fold.
While Jesus commissioned the disciples to go into the world and make disciples of all nations, Ezekiel was assigned to go to his “people in exile and speak to them, telling them what the Sovereign LORD says, whether they listen or fail to listen.”
When God appoints, he anoints, equips empowers. He does this differently to the called. For Ezekiel he was given a scroll to eat and fill his stomach. Ezekiel ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in his mouth.
In a generalised sense, if the messenger does not savour the sweet taste of God’s word in his heart, he cannot make the message convincing to those he is sent to call to repentance.
We have often missed the point of our callings by constantly generalising messages that were supposed to be context-specific. By so doing, we become partners in the assimilation of some cultures, thus submerging them and obliterating their identities.
While we emphasize that we have to distinguish between the particular within the general, we should also identify the general in the particular. Although Ezekiel was sent to the Israelites in exile, their reaction towards God has a universal tinge: unwilling to listen, hardened, and obstinate. We all are, and that is why God keeps raising messengers for the salvation of souls.
Again, to all messengers, God says, “But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. I will make your forehead like the hardest stone… Do not be afraid of them, or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.”
Sadly though, the manner in which the LORD sometimes empowers us is repulsive and nauseating. Imagine the LORD telling Ezekiel to prepare food: “bake it in the sight of the people, using human excrement for fuel.” Maybe that was a kind of biogas.
My friend, the LORD is sending his messenger to you too; whether you listen or fail to listen is up to you!
Prayer of the day and week: Heavenly Father, anoint, equip, and empower those you have called. Amen!
Welcome to a new working day and week! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
19/01/2026.