What can we learn from Ezekiel's experience about perseverance in sharing God's truth? “Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord GOD! They are saying of me, ‘Is he not just telling parables?’ ’” Understanding Ezekiel’s Moment • Ezekiel has faithfully proclaimed God’s warnings in vivid, symbolic acts. • The people shrug him off: “He’s just spinning stories.” • Instead of quitting, Ezekiel keeps delivering every word God gives next (see 21:1). Key Lessons on Persevering with God’s Truth Reliance on Divine Authority • Ezekiel speaks because “the word of the LORD came to me” (20:45; 21:1). • We stand on that same unchanging authority—Scripture—regardless of reception (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Expecting Resistance • God had forewarned Ezekiel of “a rebellious house” (Ezekiel 2:3-7). • Jesus said, “If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you” (John 15:20). • Opposition validates, not negates, the message (Matthew 5:11-12). Obedience over Outcome • Success for Ezekiel = delivering, not securing applause (Ezekiel 3:17-21). • Paul echoed this: “It is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2, NIV). God’s Word Will Do Its Work • “My word… will not return to Me void” (Isaiah 55:11). • Seeds may lie dormant, but God brings harvest in His timing (Galatians 6:9). Supporting Scriptural Threads • Jeremiah faced identical scorn yet was told, “Do not be terrified by them… I am with you” (Jeremiah 1:8). • Acts 18:9-10—Paul is urged, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking.” • 2 Timothy 4:2-5—Preach “in season and out of season… endure hardship.” Practical Applications Today • Measure faithfulness by obedience, not audience size. • Prepare your heart: rejection is normal, but God is pleased (1 Peter 4:14). • Keep Scripture central; avoid watering it down to gain acceptance. • Pray for the hearers yet leave conviction to the Spirit (John 16:8). • Refresh courage by remembering Christ persevered to the cross (Hebrews 12:2-3). Encouragement for the Long Haul • God kept speaking through Ezekiel chapter after chapter—He hasn’t run out of patience with our generation either. • One day “every knee will bow” (Philippians 2:10-11); until then, His messengers keep speaking. In a Sentence Ezekiel’s brief sigh in 20:49 reminds us: even when people dismiss God’s truth as mere stories, our call is to keep sharing the literal, life-changing Word with unwavering perseverance, trusting the Almighty to accomplish His purposes through it. |
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