4He then said to me: “Son of man, go now to the people of Israel and speak my words to them.5You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and strange language, but to the people of Israel— 6not to many peoples of obscure speech and strange language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you. 7But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for all the Israelites are hardened and obstinate. 8But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. 9I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.”
10And he said to me, “Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you. 11Go now to your people in exile and speak to them. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says,’ whether they listen or fail to listen.” (Ezekiel 3)
Thoughts: Ezekiel is told to listen to the Lord. He is also told to speak to the people for God- whether his hearers listen or not. We are not called to only get results. We are always called to please God and be faithful to Him. In a results oriented, productivity driven culture, it is hard to recognize that being faithful to God sometimes bears little immediate results. God is saying that He will help his servant be faithful- making him as hard to their sin as they are to God's Word. We do not need to be afraid even if everyone turns away (like they did in Elijah's day). Let us always seek to please God. In the end, human popularity is fickle. But God and one make a majority.
Prayer: Lord, let me value being true and faithful to you. Help me to listen even if I am the only one doing so.
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