Son of Man…

• Stand and I will speak to you
• I am sending you to a rebellious nation – they are obstinate and stubborn.
• Do not be afraid of them or their words – you must speak
• Listen to what I say to you – words of lament and mourning and woe
• Eat what I put before you.
• Now go and speak my words, it is not to a people of obscure speech or a different language – you will understand them.
• Listen carefully and take heart.

Son of Man, I have made you my watchman, so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.

Ezekiel 2 and 3 introduces the message which Ezekiel was called to deliver. It is a message of judgement and was to be issued to the people of God. They were the house of Israel – those who God had saved and called to himself who had rebelled and rejected God himself.

Why refuse a good thing? In fact why abuse a great thing? That is what Israel had done. They had looked after themselves and they had lost sight of God. In their self-obsession, they had done more than simply forget, they had offended the very one who has given them everything.

And so God acts. Instead of simply wiping them out, he sends a watchman. Ezekiel. It is a responsibility which comes with baggage!

Ezekiel is told to speak, warn and dissuade each man from his evil ways in order to save his life.

• If he doesn’t, then the man who sins (wicked or righteous) will die for his sin, but Ezekiel will be held accountable for his blood (3:18, 20).

• If he does, and the wicked man does not turn from his sin, he will die for his sin, but Ezekiel will not be held accountable for his blood (3:19).
• If he does, and the righteous man turns from his sin, he will be saved because he took heed of the warning (3:21).

God has a problem with the wickedness of man. And man has a problem if they fail to see their wickedness!

This tells us something about God and something about ourselves.

About God – it says that he is pure. He cannot accept sin. He cannot associate with wickedness. He will judge and the consequence is the only thing that guarantees that sin will not repeat – death.

But it also tells us that God wants to save. He sends a watchman to speak and warn and dissuade, so that his people might turn and be saved.

About us – it says that we are all (wicked or righteous) able to live evil ways. But it tells us that some, when called, will reject that which is evil while others will not.

This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’ Whoever will listen let him listen, and whoever will refuse let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house. (Ezek 3:27)

So are you one who answers the call?

Wouldn’t it be amazing if God sent someone who did even more than warn? Wouldn’t it be amazing if God sent someone who could die and be held accountable for the sins of those he called?

Yes it would be amazing!