Ezekiel 3
Scripture
Ezekiel 3:18-19 NLT
“If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths. If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.”
Observation-What does it say?
God has appointed Ezekiel the watchmen for Israel. God tells Ezekiel that whenever He sends him a message, he is to warn the people immediately. If Ezekiel fails to deliver the message, God will hold him responsible for their deaths. But if Ezekiel obeys God, and delivers His message to the people, (even if the people disregard the message), Ezekiel would have saved his life because he obeyed God. The people on the other hand, will have died in their sins because of their disobedience to God.
Understanding-What does it mean?
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
God not only gives Ezekiel the responsibility of being a watchmen to warn His people here, but God also gives us this same responsibility today to do the same.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”-Matthew 28:19-20 NLT
“For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” Romans 10:13-14 NLT
As Christ Followers, we have been given the life giving message of the gospel, and we are not free to keep it to ourselves. God calls us to share it with ALL people! Now even if some people may not take to the message of the Good News, we still have to do our part and share it with them. We are there to help God plant seeds into people's lives. Some people may even be called to help nurture and groom them for growth. But ultimately it is Jesus who will be the One who changes people's hearts. And if we sit back and do nothing, we are guilty of their blood. For we knew the fate that awaits them, and we failed to even warn them. A heavy burden to carry into eternity.
Life Application
Be bold, brace, and courageous to share the good news to someone who needs it today.
God give me Your heart for the lost. Give me Your eyes and ears to seek them out. Give me the courage, strength, and words to speak the truth into their lives. Help me to not fear the possibility of people's rejection and anger because of it. Because at the end of the day Lord, I just want to be obedient to You. In Jesus name I pray these things, Amen.