Commissioned as God's messanger 1-7
One thing that God was reminding Ezekiel... Wether they listen or not... It is important for Ezekiel to just deliver the message. It is important that he obey regardless of their reaction. I have to also be a people of Truth in this World. Wether they listen or agree is in the hands of God. It matters that I am following God with my whole heart... walking in obedience to His calling for MY life. Ezekiel is given POWER, CONFIDENCE and ENDURANCE to be a messenger of God and we have those SAME attributes at work in our lives today as well!
Commanded to speak God's Word 8-3:3
Speak the Truth. The scroll represents Truth that Ezekiel will internalize and make it his own. I want God's Word to be so integrated within my very being that IT IS who I am! Sometimes the words will be bitter as these were words of judgement yet they are from GOD! Sometimes the truth is hard to speak but it needs to be spoken. Just as these people needed these words from the Lord we also need people in our lives that will speak Truth to us. It may not always be what we "want" to hear. Be teachable, willing to listen to become more like Jesus and less of this world.
Courage to obey God's calling 4-9
Ezekiel is again reminded of the rebellious stubborn people he will be speaking to. Just get the words out Ezekiel! The hand of God is upon you! The spirit of the LIVING GOD is guiding you! Be courageous! The people will reject you! They are not going to listen! Just obey your calling!
Compelled on a mission to God's people 10-15
v10 Take into your heart, (internalize it) all My words and listen closely. It is easy to study and know the Word of God. To allow it into your heart is a whole other encounter! We could go our whole lives studying the word and serving in ministry and never let it change us internally. We need not just the head knowledge, but the heart knowledge. I want to be changed from the inside out! It is easy to put on the exterior. What does your heart look like?
Charged as a Watchman over God's nation 16-21
Ezekiel is charged with the faithful deliverance of the message, not for its success or failure. He is a watchman for the souls of these individuals but also for the souls of a nation. More about the watchman in future chapters!
Constrained under God's hand 22-27
God put a restraint on Ezekiel. He only spoke when God said to speak! So that when he spoke the people KNEW it was from God! Do we hastily accept offers to serve by always saying yes! In everything, even the small decisions we need to seek the Lord's guidance. Speaking the truth when HE has pressed it upon my heart, serving because God has called me to this ministry. Be constrained and compelled by the spirit of the Lord! Follow HIS guidance! Being a prophet or a messenger is more than just blurting out scripture. It involves our TOTAL life! Our total dependance on God.
Reading Ezekiel I want to be a messenger for God, sharing His message, living out the truth...yet I feel more like these Israelites sometimes, a rebellious people. Stubborn, obstinate, hardhearted and impudent. How many times do we see these characteristics in our own lives... doing the same sin over again that we don't want to do. Wether it be impatience or anger, unkind words or covetousness... the list goes on and on. Oh, and our children... do any of those words describe your 2 year old? or your teenager? These people have SEEN God work, yet they have forgotten. May we not forget... May we remember what God has done in our lives, in the lives of our families past and what He WILL do for our future generations! He IS as work. I want to keep my eyes turned toward HIM!
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