After being at the Kebar River for seven days Ezekiel receives a second vision, similar to the first, and the Lord speaks to him. In those days it was common for cities to have watchmen, their task was to look out for trouble, to see if any danger was on the horizon. The safety of a city was crucially dependent upon the watchman. Ezekiel was a watchman for Israel, his job was to report what the Lord said.
God says this to Ezekiel to impress on him the seriousness of the task, and the responsibility he had. If Ezekiel did not warn the people, then while the people would still be responsible for their actions and will die for their sins, but Ezekiel will also be accountable. But if he had warned them and they did not listen, he would not be responsible. This gives a good general principle in giving God's word, we absolutely have a responsibility to preach the word of God, but we are not responsible for the response.
The warnings had to be given to all people, including the "righteous", so that they were warned of the consequences of turning to evil ways. People always have a natural inclination to turn to evil.
Having given this harsh word to Ezekiel, God takes him to the plain and the glory of the Lord appeared to him. Again Ezekiel fell down, but the Spirit raised him up. Although Ezekiel had to speak when he could, there would be times when the people would bind him so he could not speak, and times when the Lord Himself would prevent him from speaking. But when the Lord gave him words, He would enable him to speak. Again, God tells him not to concern himself with the result.
God says this to Ezekiel to impress on him the seriousness of the task, and the responsibility he had. If Ezekiel did not warn the people, then while the people would still be responsible for their actions and will die for their sins, but Ezekiel will also be accountable. But if he had warned them and they did not listen, he would not be responsible. This gives a good general principle in giving God's word, we absolutely have a responsibility to preach the word of God, but we are not responsible for the response.
The warnings had to be given to all people, including the "righteous", so that they were warned of the consequences of turning to evil ways. People always have a natural inclination to turn to evil.
Having given this harsh word to Ezekiel, God takes him to the plain and the glory of the Lord appeared to him. Again Ezekiel fell down, but the Spirit raised him up. Although Ezekiel had to speak when he could, there would be times when the people would bind him so he could not speak, and times when the Lord Himself would prevent him from speaking. But when the Lord gave him words, He would enable him to speak. Again, God tells him not to concern himself with the result.
No comments:
Post a Comment