"Lockdown" is a word that is becoming a trend nowadays in connection with the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic crisis faced by the world. We find everywhere this word; in radio, television, newspapers, magazines, and social media. The word lockdown has the definition: "an emergency measure or condition in which people are temporarily prevented from entering or leaving a restricted area or building (such as a school) during a threat of danger."1
When many countries apply lockdown and social distancing rules to stop the spread of COVID-19, these rules have caused many problems in society. They paralyze economic activity, many people have lost their jobs, schools are on break, many people are starving because it is difficult to get food because many shops are closed, and many other difficulties have arisen because of this problem.
As God's people, we are not to worry about every situation we experience, including this coronavirus crisis. Instead of focusing on each difficulty and sinking in fear, let's look at the positive side of this crisis. Let's see this crisis as an opportunity to test our faith, to be genuine before God. The Apostle James advised "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4 NIV).
From many Bible stories that can relate to lockdown, let us learn from the experience of the prophet Ezekiel when he faced God's command of lockdown and social distancing in Ezekiel chapters 3 and 4. From this story, let us find out the trials or tests that faced by Ezekiel and how he can get through it, and why do we need these tests to become God's people with genuine faith at the end time crisis. From many tests Ezekiel experienced in these two chapters, let's take the 3 biggest tests.
The first test faced by Ezekiel was the test of obedience (Ezekiel 4:1-3). God told Ezekiel to take bricks and carve on the besieged city of Jerusalem (v. 1), with a siege fortress, a wall of siege, and an army camp (v. 2). God asked Ezekiel to carve out the siege in detail (v. 3). We don't know how long Ezekiel carved the solid bricks, maybe a week or a month, but Ezekiel obeyed God, even Ezekiel wanted to obey all of God's strange requests throughout this chapter. Ezekiel obeyed everything.
When the Government gives directions for lockdowns at home and to maintain social distancing do we comply? There are still many people who don't want to obey that direction. Especially when the Government made a regulation that all churches must be closed. Many Christians think they have committed a great sin, because they do not worship in the church and only at home, and feel that they are more fearful of the government than of God. But we have to remember that the Government is a servant of God (Rm. 13) who acts for the welfare of His people and in this case, the government's recommendations are very good for protecting our bodies which are the temple of God (1 Cor. 3: 16,17). Oswald Chambers writes "The golden rule for understanding spiritually is not intellect, but obedience."2
Obedience must be the character of God's people at the end of time. Jesus said that when we obey His commands, that is proof that we love Him, "If you love me, keep my commands." (John 14:15 NIV). He also said about the blessing of obedience, "If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love" (John 15:10 NIV). Obedience makes us as God's favorite treasure (see also Exodus 19:5).
The second test, faced by Ezekiel, is the test of loyalty (Ezekiel 4:4-8). God not only asked Ezekiel to carve the brick, but God also asked him to be bound in a reclining position while looking closely at the brick carving (v. 4). God determines the position of the bond, and God Himself holds it together (v. 8). Ezekiel was bound as a symbol of the siege for 390 days for the kingdom of Israel and 40 days for the kingdom of Judah (vv. 5-7), so the time he bound by "lockdown" was 430 days (1 Year and 2 months).
We can imagine how bored Ezekiel looked at the carved bricks and how painful it was to bound in one position - and never change positions - for one year and two months. Imagine you sleep and do not change positions in a few hours, what happens? Your body will feel pain.
The best test for loyalty is time. Ezekiel is faithful to God's commands, he does not do it only in one day, one week, or a month, then becomes bored and stops, but he is faithful to do it until the end of the time God asks him to do that is up to 1 Year 2 Months.
As God's people who are carrying out God's work at the end of this age, let us faithfully do it, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” (Luke 16:10 KJV). And if our work on this earth has completed, we will be the winner with Jesus, "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." (Revelation 17:14 KJV).
The third test is a test of humility (Ezekiel 4:9-17; 5:1-3). During the lockdown, Ezekiel's food and drink regulated and determined by God (4: 9-11). God also asked him to burn his food with human feces as a symbol of the siege (4:12). Hearing that he must burn his food with human excrement, Ezekiel begged God to replace it, and God replaced it with cow dung (4:14, 15). God also instructed Ezekiel to shave his hair and beard and then divide them into three parts (5: 1-4). Ezekiel obeyed all that God commanded, He humbles himself before God.
Ellen G. White writes the importance of humility among God's people: "Everyone who will humble himself as a little child, who will receive and obey the word of God with a child's simplicity, will be among the elect of God."3 And also gave warning, " Many of our people are in danger of trying to exercise a controlling power upon others and of bringing oppression upon their fellow men. There is danger that those who are entrusted with responsibilities will acknowledge but one power, the power of an unsanctified will. Some have exercised this power unscrupulously and have caused great discomfiture to those whom the Lord is using. One of the greatest curses in our world (and it is seen in churches and in society everywhere) is the love of supremacy. Men become absorbed in seeking to secure power and popularity. This spirit has manifested itself in the ranks of Sabbath-keeper, to our grief and shame. But spiritual success comes only to those who have learned meekness and lowliness in the school of Christ."4
The COVID-19 crisis teaches us that position, power, wealth, throne, and popularity are not eternal, only temporary. We must have a humble character who will give us success in spiritual matters and in all things. We remember that Satan wants us to be like him - Superior - Arrogant - remember pride is the first sin in the universe (Isaiah 14:13, 14).
Let's come to Jesus and learn how to be humble. Paul exhorted the Philippians to humble as our Savior, " In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8 NIV).
Ezekiel when facing God's command to lockdown, he did not thoughts like this, "the sinners are the people of Israel and Judah, so why do I have to get all these tests?" or maybe you think like that now, "I have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, so why do I have to get a test like this coronavirus? Why do I have to lose my job? Why and why so on. Instead of asking questions like that, let us learn from Ezekiel's example. He continued to do what God commanded him. He remained as God's agent "from his home” to the Israelites and Judah for 1 year and 2 months, when he locked up by God to advise them to return to God.
Ellen G. White stated, "My fellow-laborers, let not your courage fail. God is proving your faith. The Christian always has a strong helper in the Lord. When you come to a pause in your earnest efforts because you are unable to obtain the needed help, cast your burden upon the Lord. Be content to leave it there, certain that He is faithful who has promised. The What and How of the Lord’s helping we know not; but this we do know, the Lord will never fail those who put their trust in Him. When He has fully proved His workers, He will bring them forth refined as gold tried in the fire.”5
Be thankful when we face temptations (James 1:2-4). Make this COVID-19 crisis an opportunity to make our faith genuine before God. It makes us more obedient, more loyal, and more humble before Him. The Apostle Peter give advised, "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1: 6, 7). Amen.
1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lockdown
2. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/154916
3. Ellen G. White, Our High Calling, p. 77.
4. Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 397.
5. Ellen White, Letter 66, June 26, 1901, par. 29.
