"Bloody Hands" June 10 Readings: Ezekiel 1-6

Today's Reading - Ezekiel 1-6

Background

Ezekiel is a great prophet, who gives his prophecies from the banks of the Chebar River in Babylon, one of the early captives taken away before the destruction. The book records six great visions from the prophet - great unveilings of heavenly things.

Ezekiel 1-24 records God's judgments on Jerusalem and upon Judah.
Chapters 25-32 declare God's judgments on the nations.
As is almost always the case, Ezekiel 33-48 prophesies the restoration and future blessings of Israel.

Devotional - Bloody Hands 

Ezekiel is one of the fortunate men of biblical history for whom God pulled back the veil and allowed him to see the glories of heaven and of eternity. He was a prophet to the exiles, those who had been carried off to Babylon after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. He saw the glory of God and then, in chapter 2, God called him to prophesy to sinful Israel, and called him to be hard as stone. If the hearts of Israel were hardened against God, the heart of the prophet would also be hard, and he would proclaim God's truth boldly.

“But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words, though briers and thorns are beside you and you live among scorpions. Don’t be afraid of their words or be discouraged by the look on their faces, for they are a rebellious house. But speak My words to them whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious." Ezekiel 2:6-7

Later, God made it very clear what he was to do. He was a watchman over Israel. When there was spiritual danger, Ezekiel's job was to tell Israel the truth, whether they liked it or not.

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman over the house of Israel. When you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me."

Ezekiel's job was simple. Warn the people. Tell them what God said. Being stiff-necked and hard-headed, the people would likely refuse to heed him, but his job was to prophesy - clearly, fully and faithfully. 

If Ezekiel failed in his duty, the consequence would be great for both him and the man against whom he was to prophesy. 

If I say to the wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him—you don’t speak out to warn him about his wicked way in order to save his life—that wicked person will die for his iniquity. Yet I will hold you responsible for his blood. Ezekiel 3:18

The wicked person would die, without having even a chance to repent. But Ezekiel would also experience a consequence. He would be held liable before God for the blood of the man he should have warned but didn't. It is a serious thing to fail to proclaim God's truth to sinners. 

All Ezekiel had to do was proclaim the truth of God. 

But if you warn a wicked person and he does not turn from his wickedness or his wicked way, he will die for his iniquity, but you will have saved your life. Ezekiel 3:19

So God would hold his spokesman accountable for staying silent when he should have spoken. That is a little sobering. It is one of my greatest sins - silence when I should have spoken up. It doesn't seem like a big thing to us, but evidently, to God it's a serious thing. We must proclaim the truth of God whether the world likes it or not. 

Father, may I be a faithful watchman for you, speaking the truth of the Lordship of Christ, the gospel of salvation by grace through faith, and also the seriousness of sin against our holy God. May I never be a silent watchman. 

Think and Pray

Do you remain silent when you should speak?
Are you are faithful and vocal witness to God's truth?