“Say to them, ‘This is what the Soveriegn Lord says.’ And whether they listen or fail to listen-for they are a rebellious house-they will know that a prophet has been among them.” (Ezekiel 2:4)
In this passage, Ezekiel is being commissioned by the Lord to speak to the people of Israel. God warns Ezekiel, upfront, that the people Ezekiel will be addressing are a stubborn and rebellious people. They may not appear to hear what Ezekiel says. That being said, God tells Ezekiel, speak anyway.
Sometimes we feel defeated when sharing the word of God with others. God may have whispered His message in your ear. The message burns within your hearts, and indeed, you know that God has given you this message to deliver to His people. Yet, when the message is delivered the people grumble or appear to misinterpret what you say. Or, perhaps even more disheartening, the people seem to lack any response. The message seems to have fallen on stony hearts and deaf ears. You ask yourself, “Why do I waste my breath on these people?” Because, God says, “Speak anyway.” God’s does not call us to results. He calls us to be faithful.
“But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious house, (don’t you refuse to do what I am telling you to do. Do not refuse to speak even when your audience appears deaf) open your mouth and eat what I give you.” (Ezekiel 2:8)
Eat, digest what God feeds you, speak His truth, and trust God to open ears, to change hearts, and to win souls. That is His job. Yours is to speak what he reveals to you. Period. And, here is His promise. God always has a promise to those who are faithful. “They will know that a prophet has been among them.” (Ezekiel 2:4)
Carolyn Primm