Ezekiel 3

The call of Ezekiel to prophetic ministry continues in this chapter with two powerful images.

First is the illustration of eating the scroll that began in the previous chapter.  Ezekiel will have a difficult crowd, unwilling to hear and heed his preaching.  He may be tempted, as many today, to temper the message or outright change the message.  But he cannot do this.  He must eat the message, making it an intricate part of his very being.  As Jeremiah said, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jer. 15:16).  And again, as Job said, “I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12).  Paul told Timothy to “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).  The famed quote from Charles Spurgeon, speaking of John Bunyon (who wrote Pilgrim’s Progress) was that, “This man is a living Bible.  Prick him anywhere – his blood is Bibline, the very essence of the Bible flows from him” (The Autobiography of Charles Spurgeon, v. 4; Curtis & Jennings, 1900; p268).

The second illustration is that of watchman.  God first moved Ezekiel in the vision back to a location where he was among the captives in Babylon, the very people to whom he would speak for God (v12-15).  In that context Ezekiel is told of the burden of responsibility that is laid on him.  If he fails to warn the people as God instructs, “his blood I will require at your hand” (v18).  If he gives the word faithfully, regardless of how it is received, “you have delivered your soul” (v19).  The picture is of the watchman on the city wall or in the tower of a village.  Someone was posted at all times to be alert to potential threats.  If he saw an enemy approaching it was his responsibility to give a clear sound of alarm so that the people could defend themselves.  If he fell asleep or became distracted and the enemy gained an advantage he was held responsible.  Ezekiel was to have this kind of ministry, and it was so important God repeated this aspect of the call later (Ezek. 33:1-11).  The closing verses of the chapter (v22-27) speak of the muted condition Ezekiel will experience throughout his ministry.  He will only be able to speak when God gives him words to say.  This condition seems to have continued until the siege of Jerusalem was completed (Ezek. 24:25-27; 33:21-22).  The people would not have any excuse for confusion about God’s message through Ezekiel.  When Ezekiel spoke, God was speaking!

Paul instructed Timothy to, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.  Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Tim. 4:16).  Without the gospel people cannot put their faith in Christ (Rom. 10:14).  They need to be told and we are so called by Christ.  May we be faithful watchmen in our world.