Friday, November 26 2010
Ezekiel 3
Verse of the Week: V17 “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.”
1. People’s Watchman (V1-14)
V3 “And He said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.’
The people’s prophets or watchmen, those who seek to be popular with people, gave the good news that God would soon deliver the people of Israel from their slavery under the wicked Babylonians. These people’s prophets were false prophets sent by the Devil. Ezekiel, the true prophet sent by God, gave the people the bad news that God would not deliver them until 70 years of hard labour and suffering. The people could not take the bad news and they cursed Ezekiel, and God had to encourage him by giving the roll, God’s Word, to eat and to taste that indeed God’s Word was as sweet as honey in his soul.
V7 “But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted.”
2. God’s Watchman (V15-21)
V17 “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.”
God called Ezekiel as His watchman to warn the people of Israel the impending judgment of God if they refuse to repent of their sins. It was also a warning to Ezekiel not to neglect his duty as a watchman otherwise the blood of the people shall be in his hand. Christians are to preach the Gospel of Christ that the Son of God became the Son of man so that the sons of man can become the sons of God. It is not just the duty of the pastors to share the Gospel but every Christian, every son of God, must share the Gospel.
3. God’s Glory (V22-27)
V23 “Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face.”
Time and again, Ezekiel was very discouraged and depressed as the people refused to repent. However, God’s glory encouraged Ezekiel to keep on, keeping on, no matter how discouraged and depressed he was. It is not easy to live as a holy Christian in the world of unholy unbelievers. The Devil is continually seducing and tempting men that they reject the Gospel and mock and scorn Christians who are living for God’s glory.
Prayer of the Week
Dearest God, please help me to be Your watchman to share the Gospel that the Son of God becomes the Son of man so that the sons of man become the sons of God.
