Ezekiel 3
-The scroll is eaten by Ezekiel at the command of the
Almighty. The LORD feeds him and fills his stomach. When Ezekiel tastes it, it
was as sweet as honey in his mouth. Then the Father told him to go to the house
of Israel and speak His words to them (Ezekiel 3:1-4). This is a known people
to the prophet. They should be able to understand and discern what he is
speaking to them in regards to the message of God. However, the LORD knows they
are stubborn, obstinate, and rebellious. They will be hard, just like God made
Ezekiel’s face and forehead, and unwilling to heed the things God has for them.
The LORD tells His prophet to not be afraid none the less, nor be dismayed by
their rebellion and refusals of the message. Ezekiel is told to take all of
God’s words into his heart, which He has spoken, and to listen closely. Whether
the exiled people of Israel will listen or not, God is sending His messenger
(Ezekiel 3:5-11).
-Then the Spirit lifted the prophet up, and he heard a great
rumbling sound behind him saying, “Blessed be the glory of the LORD in His
place (Ezekiel 3:12).” Ezekiel then hears the peripheral noises of the living
beings touching one another and the wheels in their moving. It produced more
great rumbling sound in his presence. Again the Spirit lifted the man of God up
and took him away. Ezekiel was now embittered in the rage of his spirit, for
the Hand of the LORD was strong on him. He came among the exiles along the
river Chebar at Tel-abib (city of the hill, mound of the flood) where they
lived and sat there seven days causing consternation (shamem- astonishment, desolate, appalled) among them. At the end of
this period God came to him and spoke to him saying, “Son of man, I have
appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from
My mouth, warn them from Me (Ezekiel 3:13-17).” Some important accountability
and consequences for obedience were then given by the LORD pertaining to
Ezekiel’s responsibilities and the people’s responses. The warning watchman had
an important task in exilic lessons being taught by the LORD (Ezekiel 3:18-21).
-Now as the Hand of the LORD remains on His prophet, God
tells him to get up and go to the plain where He will speak again to His
faithful servant. Ezekiel gets up and leaves going out to the plain as
commanded; “and behold, the glory of the LORD was standing there, like the
glory which I (Ezekiel) saw by the river Chebar, and I fell on my face (Ezekiel
3:22-23).” The Holy Spirit entered him again and made him stand again to his
feet telling him to go and shut himself up in his house. He was further told
that they would put ropes on him and bind him so that he would not be able to
go out among the people of Israel. Moreover, he would have his mouth muted by
the LORD so that he could not show his disdain for this people because they are
rebellious as declared by God. But, when the LORD desires to speak, He will
open up the mouth of His prophet to proclaim “Thus says the Lord GOD.” The LORD
is matter of fact, just as the Messiah will be later when He states, “He who
hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a
rebellious house (Ezekiel 3:24-27, Matthew 11:15; 13:9, 43, Mark 4:9, 23, Luke
8:8; 14:35).”
-*Application* We are responsible for what we hear from the
LORD to give to others. Do you know how to discern His Voice and give a
prophetic word of warning in matters? We are also responsible before God to
listen to those who have heard from the LORD and are watchmen/women on the
walls for your own warning. Open up your ears and hear what the LORD wants to
share with you. Then, obey that Voice to His good pleasure.
Verse to Memorize:
Ezekiel 3:18-19
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