Ezekiel: For His Gloryഉദാഹരണം

We left Ezekiel at the end of chapter 1 facedown in worship of God. In chapter 2, the prophet is hauled to his feet by God’s Spirit and called to present God’s message to the people of Israel (vv. 1–2). 

Yet the way Israel is described is enough to turn anyone off the task. The rebellious nature of Ezekiel’s audience is mentioned seven times in six verses (vv. 3–8). They are stubborn and obstinate, literally ‘hard of face’ and ‘hard of heart/mind’. This is not a one-off condition; it has been going on for generations. Not only is the present generation rebellious but their ancestors also transgressed against God (v. 3). 

The spotlight then shifts to Ezekiel (vv. 6–8). Israel might be rebellious by nature but that is not how the prophet is to be. He is described as ‘the son of man’ or ‘human one’ (vv. 1, 3, 6, 8), in contrast to God and the heavenly creatures of the opening vision. Ezekiel’s audience is hardened and prickly, and they will bring him pain and suffering (v. 6). Nonetheless, he is commanded to listen to and obey God. As the people reject the message Ezekiel gives, they are actually rejecting God’s words, God’s message (v. 7). 

In terms of the stubbornness of hearers, not much has changed, has it? As we present the message of the momentous news of Jesus, the response, sadly, is often still the same. Indeed, the New Testament describes people as darkened and alienated from God because of their ignorance from the hardness of their hearts (Eph. 4:18). As Christians, we too were once like this, but are now responsive to God because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Just like Ezekiel, we can now obey God. As we present God’s message of the ultimate ‘Son of Man’ who suffered for our sake, we know that not all will take to it positively. Thus, the faithfulness of our ministry cannot be measured by a numerical response.

Reflection

Is this your experience as you share the gospel? What encouragement does this passage give you to persevere?