If you don’t know who Ezekiel is, he was one of the prophets in the bible that God had anointed and set apart as a mouthpiece. Whenever God wanted to speak to His people, He would speak to a prophet to deliver a message. Ever heard of the phrase “Don’t shoot the messenger”.

A prophet only had one job, which was to speak whatever the Lord (God) commanded him to speak. Even if it meant being rejected by others, the prophet had to obey. Prophets in the Old Testament weren’t popular because they didn’t tell people what they wanted to hear.

“The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.” Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.”– Ezekiel 2:3-5

It may not be obvious at first, but these instructions reveal the heart of God towards His people. Believe it or not, these instructions are relevant for Christians today….

1. There’s nothing new under the sun.

Since the beginning of time, we all have free will. He didn’t create us to be people who involuntarily obeyed Him. He gave us a choice – submit to God or submit to your flesh (and become a slave to sin).

When God told Ezekiel that the children of Israel and their ancestors were stubborn, He wasn’t exaggerating. If you’ve read the book of Exodus, Deuteronomy, Numbers, Joshua, and the book of Judges (especially the book of Judges), you will notice a pattern.

The children of Israel disobeyed God by worshipping idols, He removed His protection (delivered them into the hands of other tribes), they cried out to God when they realized their error and God raised a judge every single time to set them free. And even after all of that, these people went back and did it all again.

Each time the children of Israel decided to rebel against God, He gave them over to their lusts. It didn’t mean that God didn’t care for them, He did, but He also wasn’t going to force them to follow His ways.

God knew that their hearts would be hardened towards Him. ‘The descendants are impudent and stubborn.’ (Ezekiel 2:3). Their ancestors (the ones that wandered in the wilderness) were also stubborn.

In Romans 1, Paul talks about how God gave mankind over to the lusts of their flesh, the desire/s of their hearts, and they became vain. They knew what was right and acceptable in the eyes of God and ‘by their wickedness they suppressed the truth’. It’s not an Old Testament or New Testament problem. It’s a sin problem.

Sometimes, as Christians, we forget that there is nothing new under the sun. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t be grieved by the wickedness around us (we should), but we shouldn’t be surprised by the depravity of man. If anything, it highlights how much the world needs Jesus Christ.

2. God has compassion for His people

Even though God had mentioned that they were stubborn and have hardened hearts, He explains why Ezekiel was sent. A few verses later, we see God’s compassion towards the children of Israel:

‘…they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.’  Ezekiel 2:5

God could have decided to abandon them; just like they abandoned Him. Instead, He sends a prophet (Ezekiel) because at least “they shall know that there has been a prophet among them”.

When prophets were sent to people, it wasn’t to cause terror but to restore the fear of the Lord. Before God brings judgement, He will always warn first.

God’s decision to send Ezekiel to the nation of Israel was an act of mercy and kindness. His patience was for a purpose. It was to give them time to repent.

‘and they shall know that a prophet was among them’ is another way of saying that they will be without excuse. Despite having compassion, it didn’t mean that He turned a blind eye to their sin. God made His stance clear and laid out the consequences. The ball was in their court.

His compassion towards the children of Israel challenges us to be patient with those around us. While our human nature is to give up on people, God never gave up on us. Whenever we’re tempted to withhold mercy towards others, let us remember the mercy He has shown us.

3. Share the Word (Truth)

Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house),  they shall know that there has been a prophet among them. Ezekiel 2:5

Ezekiel was instructed by God to speak  whether they chose to hear or refused to hear.  The same can be applied to us. We are to share God’s word (truth) and proclaim the Good News whether they accept it or reject it.

Jonah, who was also a prophet, ran away from God’s instructions because he feared the people of Ninevah. Long story short, Jonah cried out against the people of Ninevah, and they repented but that wasn’t enough for Jonah. Maybe in his heart, he thought they were undeserving of God’s mercy because of the kind of people they were.

While many of us aren’t called to the office of a prophet or the rest of the 5-fold ministry, we still have a responsibility. For example, not all of us are called to be evangelists who hold crusades around the world, but we are still expected to evangelize to the people around us. 

Romans 10:13-15
For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” ¹⁴ But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? ¹⁵ And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

The heart condition of people is beyond our control. All we can do is to continue to plant seeds while another person waters that seed. At the end of the day, it is God who brings the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). Even though the outcome is not within our power, our responsibility is to remain obedient.

Paul encouraged Timothy to
“…proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).

There will be a time when people will not listen to sound doctrine but will flock to teachers who will tickle their itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Regardless, the same charge is given to us, to proclaim the message whether the time is favourable or unfavourable.

4. Stand firm

God prepares Ezekiel’s mind that the children of Israel may not like what he has to say. He encourages him not to fear their hostile nature, their words, or the looks that they may give him as he faces them (Ezekiel 2:6).

Ezekiel 2:8
But you, mortal, hear what I say to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you,

Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Do not compromise. In other words, stand firm. It’s easy to try to fit in, to be a people-pleaser because of the fear of man, but we must remember that we are to fear the Lord.

Later in Ezekiel 3, God tells Ezekiel that He will make his forehead as hard as theirs (Ezekiel 3:8). If the people are stubborn because of their sin, He will make Ezekiel appear stubborn in their eyes because of his stance for righteousness.

People need to hear the truth in its undiluted form and this truth must be spoken from a place of love, not condemnation. At the same time, they also need to see Christ in us and our unwillingness to compromise, even if it means being rejected and possibly persecuted.

It’s in our steadfastness and continual reverence for God during opposition and heartache, that we show the world that we truly believe what we believe and will not back down.

God bless,
Susan ♡