How does Ezekiel 3:15 illustrate the importance of empathy in ministry work? Ezekiel’s Quiet Week Among the Exiles “Then I came to the exiles at Tel-abib who were dwelling by the Kebar River, and I sat among them for seven days—overwhelmed.” (Ezekiel 3:15) What Ezekiel Actually Did • Traveled to Tel-abib, the refugee settlement by the Kebar River • Took a seat “among them,” not above them • Remained silent for an entire week, sharing their stunned grief • Felt “overwhelmed” (literally “appalled,” stunned into silence) How This Models Empathy in Ministry • Physical presence: He did not send a message; he lived where they lived. • Shared emotions: Ezekiel allowed the exiles’ devastation to affect him. • Listening before speaking: For seven days no prophetic word, only quiet identification. • Respect for their pace: He waited until hearts were ready to receive God’s word. Biblical Echoes of the Same Principle • Job’s friends initially “sat on the ground with him seven days… for they saw that his pain was very great” (Job 2:13). • “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15) • Jesus Himself: “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.” (John 1:14) • “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.” (Hebrews 4:15) Why Empathy Precedes Effective Ministry • Builds credibility—people listen to those who have listened to them. • Reflects God’s character—He is “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3) • Guards against harshness—sharing pain tempers rebuke with tenderness. • Opens hearts to the message—comfort softens soil for the seed of truth. Practical Ways to “Sit Where They Sit” Today • Schedule unhurried visits instead of drive-by ministry moments. • Observe body language and tone; silence can speak louder than words. • Pray beforehand for the ability to feel what they feel. • Withhold solutions until you have accurately restated their struggle. • Remain present even when conversation stalls; shared quiet can heal. Key Takeaways • Ezekiel 3:15 is more than a travel note; it is a template for empathetic ministry. • True shepherds share the flock’s pasture before leading them to new ground. • Ministry that touches hearts begins by taking the time to sit, see, and feel. |
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