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THE
WORD OF GOD
Introduction: Ezekiel’s ministry was founded on the authority of God’s Word (2:4). Ezekiel’s ministry success would be measured by this standard: had he faithfully spoken God’s Word to the people? This standard of success should liberate God’s people. Our natural inclination is to seek a response to prove that what we are doing is right. Instead, God measures success by faithfulness to His Word. Ezekiel is now to receive his official commission as a prophet of the Lord God, and the Lord was telling him that he was facing a very difficult task. God gave Ezekiel four important commands to obey. I. STAND AND LISTEN (2:1-2) A. The Command Of The Word · “Son of man” (93 times) given also to Daniel (Dan.8:17). It is also a messianic title which Jesus applied to Himself. But in the case of Daniel and Ezekiel the term emphasized their humanity and mortality (dependence). · There is a time to fall down in humble adoration, and there is a time to stand and take orders. The command of the Word was to stand and listen! B. The Power Of The Spirit · The power of the Spirit enabled Ezekiel to stand to his feet. · The Spirit entered him to strengthen and empower him for his tasks. (Expound on the difference in the Spirit’s ministry in the O. T.) The important thing is that Ezekiel stood obediently before the Lord and listened to God’s Word! II. GO AND SPEAK (2:3-5) Prophets not only foretold the future, but primarily were forth-tellers who declared God’s Word to the people. A. A Message Of Judgment · The Jews needed to hear Ezekiel’s message because they were rebellious, stiff-necked, and heard-hearted. They were acting like the Gentiles that didn’t have the promises and blessing given them. ·
But whether the people listened
or not, Ezekiel had to be faithful to his task B. A Message Of Hope III. DON’T BE AFRAID (2:6-7) A. Serve With Boldness · 3 times in v.6 and repeated in 3:9, the prophet was admonished not to be afraid. · Ezekiel was to declair God’s Word boldly no matter how his listners responded. (Isa 51:12) “I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;” B. Serve With Determination · His own people might act like briars and thorns, and even like painful scorpions. · Nothing must deter the servant of the Lord! IV. RECEIVE THE WORD WITHIN
(2:8-3:3) A. Food For The Heart ·
Job - (Job 23:12) "… I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary
food." ·
The Prophet Jeremiah “ate”
the Word of God - (Jer 15:16) "Thy
words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and
rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of
hosts." · And so did the Apostle John (Rev.10:8-11). God’s prophets must speak their message from their hearts or their message will not be authentic. B. Strength For The Journey · It is a great honor to be the spokesman for the Lord, but we must be able to handle the both the bitter and the sweet. · God’s Word nourishes and provides the strength need for our journey with the Lord. Conclusion: Had Ezekiel heard the description of the hardness of his people before he saw the vision of the glory of God, he might have had a difficult time accepting his call. But having seen the glorious throne of the sovereign Lord, Ezekiel knew that he had all the help he needed to obey the will of God (example of Moses; Isaiah; Habakkuk; Stephen). The only motivation that never fails is doing all for the glory of God!
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