11.12.2015 Old Testament: Eze 2.3–5

To read the Bible in a year, read Ezekiel 1–3 on November 12, In the year of our Lord 2015

By Don Ruhl

Sometimes we do all we can in the church to teach the people of our communities, and it all seems in vain. Many churches will even stop all evangelistic efforts, believing them to be a waste of time, effort, and money. Yet, listen to what the Lord said to Ezekiel about speaking to a people who would not respond favorably to the message,

And He said to me: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that a prophet has been among them” (Ezekiel 2.3–5). 

Why should Ezekiel have gone to his people, for it appeared that even God Himself acknowledged that it would do no good? Yet, the Lord told the prophet to go, and the prophet was to obey, leaving the results to the Lord; at least the people would know that a prophet had been among them, that the Lord had warned them of their sin and its consequences, and that they could not cry out later that He had been unfair.