Ezekiel 3

Ezekiel 3:1

3:1-3 Ezekiel ate the scroll, as commanded. A later prophet, “John the Revelator,” would do the same thing (Rev_10:8-10). Every prophet or preacher needs to internalize the message, making it a part of his own life (cf. Eze_3:10).

Ezekiel 3:4

3. The Character of the PeopleImpudent and Hard-hearted (3:4-11)Then God repeated that Ezekiel was being sent to a people who would not listen (Judah is here called Israel). Language barriers can be overcome, as many missionaries tell us. But the barrier of a rebellious heart cannot be overcome. He was to be fearless . . . in speaking to the Jews in the land and to those in captivity. True servants of Christ must be tough-minded but not hard-hearted.

Ezekiel 3:12

4. The Role of the ProphetWatchman (3:12-21)3:12-15 The Lord then took Ezekiel to the captives at the River Chebar, and he sat with them in silence for seven days. Kyle Yates describes Ezekiel’s situation: The call of Ezekiel to leave his comfortable home and go to preach to the captives at Tel-Abib came as an unwelcome interruption. He felt the hand of God upon him and realized a divine compulsion that could not be resisted, but he went in bitterness of spirit to a distasteful task. Fortunately for him and for the people he did not begin preaching immediately but sat among the distraught people for a whole week. That experience gave him a clear understanding of their problems, their miseries and their crying needs. The preacher who is able to see life through the window of his people will be able to help them and provide the leadership so sorely needed. 3:16-21 Ezekiel was appointed a watchman, responsible to speak God’s Word and to warn the people solemnly. The solemn fact of bloodguiltiness is taught not only in the OT (vv. 18-20) but in the NT as well (Act_20:26). However high the responsibility of God’s messenger is, Christians should not take this as teaching that they ought to cram the gospel down every throat, or witness in every elevator. Despite his great responsibility, Ezekiel was shut up by God and had to wait for God-given opportunities. We also need to be sensitive to His leading in witnessing. Sometimes we need to be silent. However, most of us are silent when we ought to be witnessing.

Ezekiel 3:22

II. JUDGMENT OF JUDAH AND JERUSALEM DEPICTED (3:2224:27) A. Visual Aids Illustrating Coming Judgment (3:225:17) Judgment, wrote Peter, must begin at the house of God (1Pe_4:17). And so God starts with the center of revealed religion, the temple at Jerusalem.

1. Ezekiel Commanded to Pretend to Be Mute until Told by God to Speak (3:22-27)First Ezekiel went out into the plain where he beheld the glory of the LORD. Then he was commanded to go to his house where he would be bound and mute until God revealed to him what to say.