How does Ezekiel's role as a prophet relate to our call to share truth? Ezekiel’s Commission: Conduit of God’s Word Ezekiel 21:2: “Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries. Prophesy against the land of Israel.” • God singles out Ezekiel—“Son of man”—to deliver unfiltered truth. • The prophet’s task is proactive: “set your face,” take an unmistakable stance. • Location matters: truth must be declared even in religious spaces (“sanctuaries”) where people feel safest. Parallels to Our Mission • Like Ezekiel, every believer is entrusted with a message that originates with God, not personal opinion (2 Corinthians 5:20). • Jesus’ Great Commission mirrors Ezekiel’s directive—“Go therefore and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). • Paul echoes the charge: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). Traits Shared by Ezekiel and Today’s Witnesses 1. Divine Authority – Ezekiel: “Thus says the Lord GOD” (Ezekiel 21:3). – Believers: carry the authority of Christ (Matthew 28:18–20). 2. Uncompromised Message – Ezekiel spoke impending judgment even when unpopular. – We must share both mercy and warning, “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). 3. Deep Accountability – Watchman imagery (Ezekiel 3:17–18) warns of guilt if truth is withheld. – Our silence likewise bears consequence (James 4:17). Practical Takeaways • Set your face: decide beforehand that you will stand for truth, not sway with culture. • Speak to the “sanctuaries”: address sin and hope inside the church, not only outside. • Use God’s words: saturate your speech with Scripture, trusting its sufficiency (Hebrews 4:12). • Persist: Ezekiel kept speaking through exile; keep sharing even when response is cold (Galatians 6:9). Encouragement for Faithful Truth-Bearers • God equips the called; the Spirit enables clarity and boldness (Acts 4:31). • Results belong to the Lord; our role is obedience (1 Corinthians 3:6–7). Just as Ezekiel stood firm and proclaimed God’s exact words to a resistant audience, so we are summoned to share His unchanging truth with courage, precision, and love. |
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