Ezekiel 2-3 -- Obedience

Ezekiel had seen God’s glory, which humbled him and prepared him to be ready to obey, and now God would tell him what he was to do and say.  God commanded him to stand and listen, to go and speak, to not be afraid, and to receive the Word within.  As God’s messenger to Israel, Ezekiel was to speak God’s word to them.  They were to receive it and obey.  But they’d reached the point where they might hear but either not try to understand or else refuse to obey if they did understand.

“God assured His prophet that He would give him all he needed to withstand their opposition and disobedience … Ezekiel’s name means God hardens.  If the people harden their hearts and faces, God will harden His servant and keep him faithful to his mission,” my commentary said.

God wanted them to repent and seek His face.  Instead, they were regretting what happened and praying for retaliation!  As Ezekiel sat among them and realized this, he also “realized the seriousness of his calling and how great was the responsibility God had placed on his shoulders.  It’s a good thing for the servant of God to be among his people, to weep with those who weep … for he can better minister to them when he knows their hearts and feels their pain.  It isn’t enough simply to proclaim the message of God; we must also seek to have the caring heart of God,” my commentary added.

It also noted how Ezekiel was “the prophet of human responsibility.”  They weren’t to blame God or their ancestors for their plight.  They were each accountable before God.  “Sometimes godly people get the idea that their obedience has earned them the right to do as they please, but that idea is a great lie.  God gives His people many privileges, but He never gives the privilege to sin.”

Father, help me to glimpse Your glory, to realize fully my position before You, and to take Your Word fully into my heart.  Give me compassion for those in need of Your touch and Your salvation.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford