The Lord gave Ezekiel a vision of four living creatures. He saw the glory of the Lord. Then, the Lord gave him a commission. He was to speak to His people in Babylon. The challenge was that they were in no mood to listen to what he had to say.
The Lord told Ezekiel, “Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious.” [1]
The Lord gave Ezekiel a scroll to eat. He was to absorb and internalize it. Let it energize him to speak for God. The topics in the prophetic message were lamentations, mourning and woe. [2]
“Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat and remained there astonished among them seven days. Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me.’” [3]
Seven days! He did not want to speak. But after seven days, the Lord reminded him that this was his mission.
As Ezekiel sat among the people, he realized that the Lord was not kidding when He said, “The house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me.” [4] The Babylonian conquest and decimation of their nation had not softened their hearts towards God. Becoming captives of others yielded no humility in them. They continued to ignore Ezekiel’s warnings from God. He continued to faithfully warn them to repent.
“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us Your sentinels by the power of Your Holy Spirit to keep on warning those who do not want to be warned. To keep on loving them as You love them! To You be all the glory, honor, and praise! In Jesus’ Name, we pray.”
[1] Ezekiel 2:6-7
[2] Ezekiel 2:9-10; 3:3
[3] Ezekiel 3:15-17
[4] Ezekiel 3:7
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