Ezekiel 2:1-10: Called to be a watchman

Then He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet that I may speak with you!” ² As He spoke to me the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet; and I heard Him speaking to me. ³ Then He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. ⁴ I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ ⁵ As for them, whether they listen or not—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. ⁶ And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house. ⁷ But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.

⁸ “Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.” ⁹ Then I looked, and behold, a hand was extended to me; and lo, a scroll was in it. ¹⁰ When He spread it out before me, it was written on the front and back, and written on it were lamentations, mourning and woe.
Ezekiel 2:1-10

Jesus taught His disciples to be a light on the hill which shines out to the entire world as a message of hope in the darkness. Ezekiel was called out in the midst of captivity and persecution to be a watchman to the people of Israel and give them God’s message. A watchman was in charge of standing on the wall of the city, always prepared to sound the alarm is an enemy was drawing close. It was the duty of the watchman to keep alert and be ready at all times so the guards of the gates would not be caught by surprise.

We are called by Jesus to be watchmen on the wall, taking his message to the people that the wickedness is around and seeking to destroy. Notice something important about the message God gave to Ezekiel. It was a message that he had to give to Israel regardless of how it was received. Acceptance of God’s message is not a prerequisite for its importance of delivery. God knew the people were stubborn and would be rebellious. Such is the majority  of the world today when the message of God’s Word preached, the world turns a deaf ear.

As a watchman on the wall it is our call, just as it was Ezekiel’s’, to deliver the message. Do not worry about who you might offend in the process. Do not worry if they hate you or persecute you or say all kinds evil things about you. Jesus warned us these kinds of persecutions would happen we speak of His Law and Truth. Do so with grace and gentleness, but by no means water down the gospel message or our duty as believers in Jesus. Follow Ezekiel and learn from the way God used the prophet to speak to a people who did not want to listen.