Have you ever tried to talk reason to someone, but they were just too stubborn and hard-headed to listen? That can be aggravating and frustrating, especially if what you are trying to tell them is important. Our Old Testament reading today is from the Book of Ezekiel, and in the selected passage the prophet is facing just such people as he brings God’s message.
The Prophet Ezekiel’s ministry was to the people of Judah while in captivity. Due to the people’s sin, worship of false idols, and rebellion against God, He had allowed the Kingdom of Babylon to overtake and conquer the land of Judah, destroying both Jerusalem and the Temple. In spite of this, many still did not want to hear God’s message. God, however, had a message for them, and He wanted Ezekiel to bring it.
When God called Ezekiel, he stood up and was ready to serve Him (vs 1-2). God was sending him to the exiled people of Judah, a people who were rebellious, and who did not want the message (vs 3-5). That would not be an easy task. Picture a teacher coming into a classroom of older students who do not want to be there. They sit there sullenly, glaring at the teacher, silently daring him to give the lesson. Some bolder students might even call out rude remarks to the teacher. Many of the people that Ezekiel witnessed to treated him this way, and some were even more audacious. This had the real potential to be a dangerous task, and God encouraged him to not be afraid (vs 6).
God provided Ezekiel with His Holy Spirit to give him both the words and the boldness to bring the message (vs 2). When God gives a command for us to do, He gives us His Spirit and power to do so. Has God given you an assignment that you might not feel qualified for, or you’re afraid to do? He will always give us His Spirit and power to carry out His work.
Ezekiel was to give God’s message to the people whether or not they wanted to hear it. We have the message of God to give out, as well. Many may not want to hear or receive it, but just like with Ezekiel, that should not deter us. Sometimes their rejection may be harsh. Our Scripture passage here describes them as like briars, thorns, and scorpions (vs 6). The people of Judah’s rejection of God’s Word was like the jabs of thorns and the stings of scorpions. When we tell the message of Jesus, some who hear are rebellious and hard-hearted, as well. They turn their stoney hearts away from the Lord, and are like a briar patch with scorpions. God still wants us to keep bringing His Word.
Another question we should ask ourselves is how well do we receive and respond to those who bring us God’s message from His Word? Are we rejecting any message we don’t want to hear? That’s what the people did who Ezekiel went to. They wanted no preaching about sin or judgment. Let’s be sure we are not becoming rebellious or stubborn either, stopping our ears from hearing a message that may step on our toes.
Ezekiel’s success lay not in how well the people responded, but in how well he obeyed God. God will judge us for how faithful we’ve been, not on how people respond to our message of the Gospel. God’s truth doesn’t depend on people’s positive response. Many of God’s messengers, both in the past and today, have faced those who do not want to hear their words. God told Ezekiel then, and us today, to not be afraid of them (vs 6-7), and to continue to speak His words, whether they listen or not.
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