In the previous chapter, we see Ezekiel after seeing
the vision of God, fell down and worshipped Him (Ezekiel 1:28). Then God spoke
to him and commissioned him to preach to the His rebellious nation, the children
of Israel (Ezekiel chapter 2).
Please note: Ezekiel was sent to a people who were
rebellious. If you were Ezekiel, would you still want to go? Perhaps you will
be telling God it will be a waste of time. If today, God tells you to go and
preach to the Thai people. You will probably reason with God: “Please send me
to America, it is a “Christian” nation; they will be more receptive. But the
Thais are predominantly Buddhist; they will not listen.”
But God has a purpose for sending Ezekiel to a people
who would not listen: “And they, whether they will hear, or whether they
will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath
been a prophet among them” (vs 5).
There are reasons why the gospel must be preached
regardless of the kind of hearts of the people:
1. Demonstrates God’s Mercy: That God in His
mercy had given them due warning.
2. No Excuse: That the hearers themselves are to
be blamed for not believing it. They cannot say that they have no preacher to
reprove them of their sins and warn them of the consequence.
3. Shows God’s Impartiality: That God is no
respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). The gospel is for all (Mark 10:15).
4. The job of the gospel preacher is to preach and not
to judge. Paul wrote: “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not
believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and
how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).
Those rebels may not listen, but at least they will
know that a prophet has come to them. The prophet will keep reminding them of
their sins and call on them to repent. How the rebels would react to the
message is not the prophet’s problem.
Hence, preachers, don’t choose your audience; preach
the word. The apostle Peter was at first hesitant about preaching to the
Gentiles. But God revealed to him that the gospel is for all. In the end, he
concludes this this affirmative statement: “Of a truth I perceive that God
is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and
worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34-35).
Every preacher of God’s word should take heed that it
is God’s message he is delivering to the people. Do not be discourage if no one
obeys the message. They are rejecting God and not you. And, they are rejecting
their own salvation. God said to Samuel when the people asked for a king: “They
have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over
them” (1 Samuel 8:7). Likewise, our Lord Jesus said to the apostles: “He
that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me” (Luke
10:16).
Ezekiel’s mission was clear; he was to be God’s
spokesperson. Ezekiel was not commissioned to be a P.R. man (public relations guy), but a mouthpiece of God: “thou shalt speak my words
unto them” (vs 7). And, we are commanded to “preach the word” (2
Timothy 4:2).
There are still many who will rebel against God’s
words; they still will not listen. But the Great Commission remains the same: “Go
ye therefore, and teach all nations,” (Matthew 28:19). Our job is to preach
and not to judge. Are you preaching the word?
Jimmy Lau
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