Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” (Ezekiel 3:1)
God addresses four imperatives to Ezekiel.
- He is to eat,
- eat,
- go,
- speak.
He is to eat this scroll. This means that the word of God must be internalized, digested and assimilated by one who will serve as God’s messenger. Ezekiel himself must become the message.
Coming on the heels of the command to eat the scroll is the command to go speak unto the house of Israel. Immediately following the reception of the word there must be the proclamation of it.
So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll.
Ezekiel attempted to comply with the Lord’s command. He opened his mouth. At this point we see the grace of God in action “He caused me to eat that scroll” When we just try or attempt to obey His Word, His grace becomes available to us.
And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness. (Ezekiel 3:3)
Someone asked me a question: How many chapters of the word should I read? How much word I should read? Each of us have different appetites. Eat till you are full. Eat till you are satisfied. Read till you stomach is filled.
Before you speak to the people of the Lord, before you preach the word; you must eat the word. In other words fill yourself with the word of God. I believe the LORD was saying to Ezekiel, feed yourself, fill your stomach, digest the Word or rather assimilate the Word.
Then He said to me: “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them. For you are not sent to a people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, but to the house of Israel, 6 not to many people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, had I sent you to them, they would have listened to you. 7 But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted.(Ezekiel 3:4-7)
Unlike Jonah, Ezekiel was not being sent to a people whose language he could not understand.
How often those who claim to be godly cling to their own ideas without actually studying or desiring to know the truth. It happened during the time of Jesus.
Most of the times it is easier to preach to the outsiders rather than the insiders. The insiders think they know everything when they don’t know what they need to know.
Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads. 9 Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.” (Ezekiel 3:8-9)
Provision of Divine Power is given to Ezekiel. To preach the Word one needs divine empowerment. One of the major hindrances to preach the Word is overcoming your fears.
Moreover He said to me: “Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears. (Ezekiel 3:10)
The preacher of the Word must have his spiritual ears open.
Chapters
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 21
- Chapter 22
- Chapter 26
- Chapter 27
- Chapter 29
- Chapter 30
- Chapter 31
- Chapter 32
- Chapter 33
- Chapter 34
- Chapter 35
- Chapter 36
- Chapter 37
- Chapter 38
- Chapter 47
- Chapter 48