Sunday, October 8, 2023

Ezekiel, the Prophet Sent to Rebellious Israel.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 3:1-15

 

Ezekiel 3:4

And he said to me, “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them.

(ESV)

 

One of the pastors at my Church recently shared one of the greatest frustrations of one in ministry, people not listening to the Godly counsel they give to individuals. The prophets Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Ezekiel all obeyed their calling from God and spoke God’s Word to the people of Judah and Israel. They spoke the truth of God’s Word even though ignored by the people of Judah and Israel who both went into exile for their disobedience. Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Ezekiel all received visions of the glory of God to let them know their calling was to obediently speak the Word of God, even if not listened to (Ezekiel 1:4-3:15; Isaiah 6; Jeremiah 1:4-19). While those receiving a calling from God to ministry may not receive a vision like these prophets, they can and should seek Godly counsel for confirmation of his or her calling and accountability.

 

Ezekiel receives an unusual command from the one holding the scroll, instructed to eat the scroll so Ezekiel opens his mouth and receives the scroll to eat (Ezekiel 3:1-2). The one holding the scroll instructs Ezekiel to feed his belly with the scroll and fill his stomach. The scroll tastes as sweet as honey in his mouth (Ezekiel 3:3). This symbolizes the sweetness of the Words from God contained on the scroll.

 

Ezekiel is then instructed to go to the house of Israel and speak the words of the Lord to them (Ezekiel 3:4). God is not sending Ezekiel to people of foreign speech so they should understand what he tells them (Ezekiel 3:5-6). However, Israel will not listen to Ezekiel for they have hard heads and stubborn hearts (Ezekiel 3:7). God has also given Ezekiel a hard face and head and instructed him not to fear the people of Israel or have dismay at their looks for the house of Israel is a rebellious house (Ezekiel 3:8-9). Ezekiel receives an instruction to receive all the Words from the Lord spoken to him and to go to the exiles saying to them “Thus says the Lord God,” whether they hear or not (Ezekiel 3:10-11).

 

Upon receiving these instructions, Ezekiel is lifted up in the Spirit and hears a voice of a great earthquake speaking behind him saying, “Blessed be the glory of the Lord from its place.” (Ezekiel 3:12). The sound Ezekiel heard was the wings of the creatures touching each other and the sound of the wheels beside them, sounding like a great earthquake (Ezekiel 3:13). The Spirit lifted Ezekiel up and took him away in bitterness and the heat of his spirit with the hand of the Lord strong upon him (Ezekiel 3:14). Ezekiel came to the exiles at Tel-abib at the Chebar canal where they were dwelling, overwhelmed among them for seven days (Ezekiel 3:15).

 

Ezekiel is going to the house of Israel who are in exile due to their rebellion against the Lord. God is providing him with instructions and encouragement (Ezekiel 3:7-9). The Lord also instructs Ezekiel to only speak what the Lord gives him to say, illustrated by him eating the scroll given to him during his vision of glory (Ezekiel 3:1-3, 10-11). The vision of the glory of heaven and the magnitude of his calling overwhelmed Ezekiel to the point he could not speak to the exiles the Lord had sent him to for seven days (Ezekiel 3:15).

 

One having a calling to ministry from the Lord is not just going into an occupation or profession but has a calling from the Lord, with the responsibility to take God’s Word to heart and speak as directed by the Lord. Unfortunately, the age of media has created a situation where ministers can become celebrities earning fame and fortune. These ministers can profit from ministry by taking advantage of people financially and spiritually using their fame. People taken advantage of by these charlatans can turn their backs on God and possibly lost for eternity due to the hurt of one in ministry taking advantage of them. I encourage anyone taken advantage of by one in ministry using their calling for financial gain and fame not to turn their backs on God but to seek out a Church with a pastor ministering God’s Word as directed by the Lord, pointing people to Christ and not themselves. I also urge those with a calling to ministry to diligently study the Word of God and point their congregations to Christ, not for their own gain but for the glory of God.

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed to ask God to forgive your sins and make Jesus Lord of your life, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

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