By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
COMMISSIONED
Ezekiel 3:8–21
Like his prophetic predecessors, Ezekiel was called to an overwhelming task. His role was to serve as a herald for the living God, warning people of impending judgment and calling them to repentance.
Others before him were called to travel to other countries — Jonah went to Nineveh, and Amos prophesied in Israel. God did not call Ezekiel to prophesy to strangers but to his fellow citizens of Judah. And like other prophets before him, the message he proclaimed for God would not be well received.
This is a timely message for Christians today. We are called to make disciples of all the nations, whether we live internationally, in our own hometown or somewhere in between. We have a commission to communicate the gospel message we believed, regardless of whether listeners receive or reject the message.
Prepared (8–11)
The people of Judah would not listen to Ezekiel’s messages. Jeremiah was preaching impending destruction and 70 years of exile, while prophets on the king’s payroll were pronouncing that God had given them a message of peace and prosperity.
Who were people going to believe? If they had to choose between a message of repentance or a message of prosperity, repentance would be quickly rejected. They were “hardheaded and hardhearted” (v. 7).
God prepared Ezekiel for this challenging task. He had hardened the prophet for this difficult calling: “I have made your forehead like a diamond, harder than flint. Don’t be afraid of them or discouraged by the look on their faces, though they are a rebellious house.”
These words are reminiscent of God’s words to Joshua (1:6) — “be strong and courageous” — and to Moses (Deut. 9:13) — “they are a stiff-necked people.”
God instructed the prophet to take the message to heart. The task and message were clear; the outcome was dependent on the listener, whether they “listen or refuse to listen.” God prepares people for their callings. At the same time, He wills and works in us to accomplish His purposes (Phil. 2:13). Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Overwhelmed (12–15)
Ezekiel did nothing during his first week back among the exiles. He was overwhelmed with the thought of this calling, burdened with the weight of responsibility and angry that God’s chosen people were unwilling to listen.
John makes it clear Jesus also was rejected by those who should have embraced His message: “He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be called children of God” (John 1:11–12).
A call to vocational ministry is a lonely task. Communicating the whole counsel of God faithfully takes real effort. Realizing that many who hear the message will not receive it leads ministry workers to question whether God has truly called them to Christian service.
Assigned (16–21)
In chapters 3 and 33, God utilizes the metaphor of a city watchman to describe Ezekiel’s calling. A watchman’s role is to announce groups approaching the walled city, whether emissaries or invaders. He is to shout aloud any arrivals, and he is to blow the ram’s horn to sound an alarm in the event of danger.
In chapter 33, the calling is to serve as a public watchman where the whole city receives a warning.
In this passage, the watchman role is more personal. God is calling Ezekiel to warn individuals and call them to repentance. The prophet is to speak God’s words — period.
If the offender repents, then praise God! If the offender does not, then he will be accountable for the judgment. If the watchman fails to sound the alarm, then the offender will still face judgment, but the prophet will account for his own disobedience.
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