Ezekiel's Listening

We had been going through the witness of different people before the flood hit last October.  We left off with Jeremiah (whom we also talked about last week).  So we will continue the series but this time the emphasis will not be on their witnessing as much as their "faithful listening" or obedience.

EZEKIEL'S FAITHFUL LISTENING:
3He 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. 4The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ 5And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6And 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. 7You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” (Ezekiel 2)

Thoughts: The amazing thing here is the faithful listening of Ezekiel.  He lived in exile with many other Israelites.  The people of Babylon did not believe in the Lord.  The Israelites were in rebellion against the way of the Lord.  In the midst of the skepticism and rebellion Ezekiel was called to listen and be faithful- a very hard thing to do.  He was called to listen if no one else did, and to speak God's Word even if no one else wanted to hear.  Ezekiel was faithful.  He laid on his side as a symbol of Jerusalem for 390 days and then turn over for forty days. This was very difficult.  Ezekiel did what God asked him to do even if was difficult and did not make much sense.  Ezekiel was told by God he was like a watchman warning the people of spiritual danger coming.  His task was to warn them whether they listened or not.  

Prayer: lord, though everyone else is not faithful to you, help me to be faithful.  Let me have a vision for being true to you.