3 He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; (Ezekiel 2:3-8)
Thoughts: The first task of the Church is to listen. Before even belief comes, regeneration- the call of the Spirit raising us to life comes. So our first response to God is to listen. He spoke and said, "Let there be... and there was." The scriptures from beginning to end are about responding to the Creator's Call.
When we think our responsibility is to judge God and to speak to Him- we are making ourselves to be the center of the universe.
The other part of listening- is not just hearing, but heeding. It is perhaps worse to hear but not heed. Jesus accused the people of his day of ever hearing but not hearing- having ears to hear but not hearing. To not listen- or to purposefully disobey what God has said in His Word is to rebel against Him, and forfeits His blessing.
Prayer: Give me, Lord, not just ears to hear, but a heart to respond.
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