“Will You Not Listen?” by Michael Card

Jesus warned His own disciples that there will be those who will not listen to what they had to say. It is true that I more often have individuals reject the Gospel that I share with them. I am encouraged to note that Jesus said it is not because of me, but because of Him.

And he said to me, “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them. For you are not sent to a people of foreign speech and a hard language, but to the house of Israel— not to many peoples of foreign speech and a hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, if I sent you to such, they would listen to you.  But the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me: because all the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart. – Ezekiel 3:4-7  ESV

Ezekiel went through a similar experience. He did not go overseas, did not learn a new language – he went to his own people. Their rejection of what God had to say was not because of ignorance but because of the hardness of their heart. It was almost as if his prophecies were kept in a sealed book – that is how unwilling they were to listen. What struck a chord with Ezekiel is that if he did take this message to those overseas, just like Jonah, they would have responded and would have been obedient.

The prophecies that Ezekiel gave were not just admonishing words, they were words used to indict caution – so they would not lose their lives because of error or thoughtlessness.  Ezekiel was a disciple of God who was appointed to be a teacher because hearing was not sufficient. He heard from God first and then speaks. When he spoke he could clearly articulate that the words were from God and not from him.

Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. – Ezekiel 3:17  ESV

May the grace of God keep me from being unwilling to listen and to give me wisdom when addressing those who are.