By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher
Text: Ezekiel
2
Ezekiel
2:2-3
And
as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet,
and I heard him speaking to me. 3 And he said to
me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels,
who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed
against me to this very day.
(ESV)
When one receives a
calling from the Lord, they do not receive the details of what they will be
doing for the Lord. Ezekiel has received a vision of the glory of the Lord and now
receives specifics of what his calling will involve. It is not a calling with one
looked up to or admired, but a calling to preach to rebellious people who could
reject what he has to say. When one receives a calling from God, one must be
willing to suffer rejection from people, including rejection of family and
friends, and remain true to their high calling from God, doing whatever God tells
them to do.
The Lord tells Ezekiel to
stand on his feet so He can speak with him and as the Lord spoke to Ezekiel,
the Spirit of God entered him and he heard the Lord speak to him (Ezekiel
2:1-2). The Lord begins by saying he is sending Ezekiel to the people of
Israel and Judah, nations of rebels who have rebelled against the Lord and they
and their fathers have transgressed against the Lord (Ezekiel
2:3). This indicates there have been at least two generations of transgression
against the Lord. The descendants are impudent and stubborn and the Lord
instructs Ezekiel to tell them he speaks words from the Lord (Ezekiel
2:4). Whether they choose to listen or not, they will know a prophet has
been with them (Ezekiel
2:5). The Lord instructs Ezekiel not to fear the people or be afraid of
their words even though his situation may be painful because the Israelites are
a rebellious nation (Ezekiel
2:6). Ezekiel is to speak what God gives him to say whether the people
listen or not for they are rebellious and may reject the truth of God’s word (Ezekiel
2:7).
The Lord then issues a
warning to Ezekiel not to be rebellious like rebellious Israel but to open his
mouth and eat what the Lord provides (Ezekiel
2:8). Ezekiel then sees a hand stretched out to him holding a scroll of a
book (Ezekiel
2:9). The scroll was spread before Ezekiel and contains writing on the
front and back, words of lamentation, mourning, and woe (Ezekiel
2:10).
After receiving a vision
of the glory of the Lord in Ezekiel
1:4-28, Ezekiel is now receiving his calling from the Lord. The Lord begins
by giving Ezekiel the context of his calling from the lord so he will not be
afraid or dismayed at the level of rebellion that is present among the people.
One would think people in exile would be open to hearing what they must do to
return to their land but based upon what the Lord tells Ezekiel, the Israelites
continue in their rebellion. The Lord also warns Ezekiel not to become
rebellious like the people the Lord sent him to but to only say the words given
to him on the scroll the Lord has provided. The Lord knows Ezekiel will have
the temptation to go along with their rebellion to avoid rejection by his
fellow Jews in exile with him. Better to experience acceptance by the Lord,
even if it means rejection by his fellow Jews.
The calling to ministry
is more than just an occupation or career, it is a privilege offered by the God
of glory to participate in bringing the truth of God’s Word to people. However,
while God’s word is truth, not all accept the truth for the truth of God’s word
involves one confronting the truth they have sinned and face the death penalty
for their sin (Romans
3:23, 6:23). Out of fear of rejection from people attending the Church,
ministers face the temptation to soften their message to avoid offending
anyone, risking people leaving the Church and taking their offerings elsewhere.
While mentoring Timothy, the Apostle Paul charged him with the responsibility
to preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reproving, rebuking,
and exhorting by the word of God (2
Timothy 4:1-2). Paul also warns Timothy of a coming time when people will
not endure sound teaching but accumulate teachers suiting their passions,
wandering off into myths (2
Timothy 4:3-4). Like Ezekiel, Timothy is exhorted by Paul to be
sober-minded, endure suffering, and fulfill his ministry as an evangelist (2
Timothy 4:5).
Those in ministry must not fear people for that is a
trap, but trusting in the Lord provides safety (Proverbs 29:25).
The Lord was despised and rejected, going to the cross for doing nothing wrong,
but doing it willingly so humanity could receive reconciliation with God. If
you are reading this post and have never prayed to receive God’s gift of
salvation and reconciliation with your creator, 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 and
bless everyone reading this post.
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