1/7/13    Ezekiel 1-3
Ezekiel is prepared for his ministry.  It will be a  ministry like no other.  The preparation itself is powerful, overwhelming, and frightening.  It begins with a vision of God sitting on His throne. With the 4 living creatures and their glowing, burning, awesome presence beneath the gleaming expanse, to the appearance of God Himself, this vision is so overpowering that Ezekiel can only fall on his face.  As God begins to speak, the Spirit enters Ezekiel and lifts him to his feet. 

Ezekiel is being sent to speak to Israel.  Over and over God calls them rebellious, obstinate children.  He tells Ezekiel that the people may or may not listen to his message, but that he should not fear them or be dismayed.  He is to speak God's Word, nothing else. Ezekiel was given a scroll and told to eat it. Which he did.  He was to fill his body, to take into his heart all the Words of God.  To listen closely and tell what he hears from God.

Ezekiel is warned of the consequences for not speaking the Word when directed.  If he doesn't warn a sinner and he dies in his iniquity, then Ezekiel will be guilty of his blood.  But if he does warn him then, he is not guilty.   His responsibility is to speak what God tells him to speak.  Ezekiel is then made mute, unable to speak, except when God opens his mouth to speak His Word.  If Ezekiel speaks then the listener can hear and obey or refuse and remain in his sin.  The results are not up to Ezekiel.

We also have a responsibility to speak God's Word.  We must take in His Word, into our lives and hearts.  We must listen first!  Then as the Lord's hand is upon us and He leads us by His Spirit, we must speak.  Warning the wicked "from their wicked way" and  warning the righteous when they commit iniquity.

To come into God's Presence as Ezekiel, Isaiah, and John did is unique.  But we are told that we also can come boldly to the Throne of Grace.  To enter in and commune with God through the Lord Jesus Christ is the great privilege of the believer.  Oh what a day that will be when faith becomes sight!