What does "stand up and go out" teach about obedience to God's call? Key Verse “The hand of the LORD was upon me there, and He told me, ‘Get up, go out to the plain, and there I will speak with you.’ ” (Ezekiel 3:22) Setting the Scene Ezekiel has just been commissioned as a watchman for Israel. He is sitting among the exiles by the Kebar River, stunned by the weight of the vision he has received (3:15). God interrupts the silence with a two-fold command that captures the heart of obedience: “stand up” and “go out.” Stand Up – Availability Before Activity • “Get up” pulls Ezekiel out of stunned inactivity. • Standing signals readiness (1 Kings 17:1; Acts 9:6). • God often calls people who are already attentive (1 Samuel 3:10; Isaiah 6:8). • Obedience starts by yielding our posture, moving from passive to alert. Go Out – Movement in Faith • The second verb pushes Ezekiel to leave familiar surroundings. • “Go out” echoes earlier calls: – Abraham: “Go from your country…” (Genesis 12:1). – Jonah: “Arise, go to Nineveh…” (Jonah 1:2). – Philip: “Get up and go south…” (Acts 8:26). • God’s instructions rarely come with the full itinerary; obedience precedes details. • Leaving comfort zones positions us to experience God’s power (Joshua 3:13-17). Obedience Unlocks Further Revelation • God promises to speak “there,” not “here.” • Revelation is progressive; fresh truth meets us on the path of obedience (John 7:17). • Delayed or partial obedience stalls spiritual growth (James 1:22-25). The Reward: God’s Presence • Ezekiel obeys and records, “So I got up and went out to the plain, and behold, the glory of the LORD was standing there” (3:23). • The same glory that stunned him in chapter 1 meets him again; obedience ushers us into deeper encounters. • God never sends us alone (Joshua 1:9; Matthew 28:20). Take-Home Principles • Obedience is immediate: stand without delay. • Obedience is active: go even when the destination feels vague. • Obedience is progressive: further guidance comes after the first step. • Obedience is relational: God’s presence accompanies every command. Putting It into Practice • Start each day with a “standing” heart—ready, alert, attentive. • When Scripture or the Holy Spirit impresses a next step, act promptly. • Expect God to clarify the journey as you move, not before. • Look for His presence in the plain—outside the comfort zone—where obedience has led you. |
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