Scripture

“You must give them my messages whether they listen or not, but they will not listen for they are completely rebellious.”

Observation

The Spirit of the Lord comes into Ezekiel and tells him that he is being sent to the nation of Israel, which is rebelling against the Lord,

They are a stubborn and rebellious people, but the Lord is sending Ezekiel to them. He is to proclaim, “This is the word of the sovereign Lord” Whether they listen or not, Ezekiel must speak.

He is not to be afraid or dismayed, even when the threats and emotional reactions surround him. He must give the message, even though they will not respond,

Ezekiel looks and sees a hand coming towards him. The hand holds a scroll which the Lord unrolls. Both sides of the scroll are covered in funeral songs, words of sorrow and pronouncements of doom,

Application

What a call Ezekiel received from the Lord! Go and speak even though the people will not listen.

Many pastors and evangelists suffer the same experience. You preach the gospel day in and day out. The word seems ineffective for 90% of the people, but this one man or one woman responds and it makes it all seem worthwhile,

Christians are to be obedient to the call of God and not be anxious about the response of people. We plant the seeds of God’s word, but God is responsible to make the seeds grow.

Listen

Lord, what do you want to say to me about this passage?

Keith, I describe my people is being rebellious. This is true of all people. Adam’s sin has corrupted all of humanity,

Yet every person bears my image. For some, the image shines through the rebellious nature and those people hear my voice and return to me,

Do not become discouraged by the rebellious nature of people. Walk closely to me and look to my ways.