Notes
“Stand up, son of man,” said the voice. “I want to speak with you.” The Spirit came into me as he spoke, and he set me on my feet. I listened carefully to his words. “Son of man,” he said, “I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been rebelling against me to this very day. They are a stubborn and hard-hearted people. But I am sending you to say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for remember, they are rebels—at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.
“Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don’t be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels. You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. But they won’t listen, for they are completely rebellious! Son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not join them in their rebellion. Open your mouth, and eat what I give you.”
Then I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me. It held a scroll, which he unrolled. And I saw that both sides were covered with funeral songs, words of sorrow, and pronouncements of doom.
Ezekiel 2:1-10
Ezekiel’s job was a difficult responsibility; he was to speak to a group of people who had experienced blessings and were now captives. In Ezekiel 2, we see how God prepared Ezekiel for what he was supposed to do in the next chapter: to let the people know where they stand so that they can get to where they need to be. From how God prepared Ezekiel for this job, we learn three things about how to lead and build God’s greatness in others:
1) Have a heart like a sponge
Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people…
Ezekiel 3:10-11a
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
We need hearts that are receptive to God’s Word. Listen and let God’s Word transform you - let it become a part of you. Absorb it so that you can pour it out onto others. This will help you not only grow yourself, but to have a soft heart toward people, just as God does.
2) Have a hard head
I have made your forehead as hard as the hardest rock! So don’t be afraid of them or fear their angry looks, even though they are rebels.”
Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.”
Ezekiel 3:9-11
“Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. 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.”
Ezekiel 3:17-19
God explained to Ezekiel that he was going to receive pushback from the people. They were rebellious. But, Ezekiel was prepared. He was firm in what he had received from God, and he was diligent in doing what he was supposed to do.
When we lead, we have to know the truth and speak it, whether it is popular or not. With soft hearts that love people like God loves them, we can also be truthful and challenge people to be who God created them to be. We can influence others and pray that they choose to receive the truth, respond to it, and let the Holy Spirit begin changing their lives.
3) Have willing hands
The Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I went in bitterness and turmoil, but the Lord’s hold on me was strong.
Ezekiel 3:14
Willing hands have a willing spirit. It is not always easy to do what God asks of us, but we will never regret following Him with determination in our hearts. The purpose in everything we do as the Church is to be a revelation to the world that God has come, that He is faithful, and that He will forgive and transform those who place their trust in them.
Group Questions
- What are you doing to absorb God’s Word?
- What does it mean to apply God’s Word?
- What does it mean to be hard-headed for God?
- How can we follow God even when it is difficult or unpopular?
Prayer
Thank you for giving us the example of Ezekiel to follow as we learn how to lead others to you. Give us soft hearts that love all people, hard heads that are firm in your truth, and willing hands that do your work.