21 June 2005 Devotion for Today “Dysfunctionality” Ezekiel 16:60-63
The term “dysfunctional” has gotten to the point where it is almost played-out. In the 1990’s one used to hear the term all the time with reference to family relationships. But now we don’t seem to hear it that much. The reason? We used the term when dysfunction meant the exception rather than the norm. Now dysfunction is almost the norm, and what we understood as the traditional family is the exception. Even within the traditional family, elements of dysfunction are widespread. Role reversal and transference are evidenced everywhere. This thought was brought home to me on Father’s Day- a holiday almost without relevance in some of the households in our churches because two and three generations have raised children without a father being present in the home. I’ve met many families where every family member has a different last name to the point it is hard to identify what name to place with the household to identify them. I bring this up because the assumptions we used to make about these types of things can no longer be made. It is a commentary to show us that it is getting to the point where few understand what it is to be a family anymore.
Ezekiel lamented the dysfunction in his own culture and the tendency toward sinfulness- the dissonance which people gave to a relationship with God, and the emptiness sown through the fabric of the nation. In this stinging prophecy in chapter sixteen he highlights the blessings of what the Heavenly Father has done for Israel; providing everything for her only to have her grow up into promiscuity and to prostitute herself among the nations around her. The manner in which Ezekiel describes
60"Nevertheless I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. 61Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed, when you receive your older and your younger sisters; for I will give them to you for daughters, but not because of My covenant with you. 62And I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the LORD, 63that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done," says the Lord GOD."Ezekiel 16:60-63
God still loved
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