Ezekiel 2—The Lord is speaking to the prophet Ezekiel
“Son of Man,” the Lord said, “get up on your feet. I want to talk to you.” Even while He was speaking to me, the Spirit entered me, set me on my feet, and I listened to the voice that had been speaking to me. “Son of Man, I’m sending you to that rebellious people, the Israelites, who have rebelled against me the same way their ancestors did. And they’re still rebels to this very day! They’re stubborn and strong willed. I’m sending you to them to tell them what the Lord says. Whether this rebellious group listens to you or not, at least they’ll realize that a prophet had appeared in their midst! Now as for you, Son of Man, never be afraid of them or of anything they have to say, because being with them will be like settling down to live among briers, thorn bushes, and scorpions! Don’t be afraid of anything they have to say, and don’t be awed by their appearance, since they are a rebellious group. You are to tell them whatever I have to say to them, whether they listen or not, since they are rebellious.”
WHOA! The footnotes in the commentaries are quite telling. All are self-induced!:
Children of hard faces.
Hostile.
Obstinate.
Problematic.
Difficult.
Defiant.
Insubordinate.
Stiffhearted.
Hardhearted.
Disobedient.
Non-repentant.
Refusing.
Unwilling.
Now contrast with the great leaders:
Job, whom God called “a perfect and upright man, one that fears God, and abstains from evil.” When speaking to God, Job said, “I am vile.”
Abraham, whom God called “the father of all them that believe.” When speaking to God, Abraham said, “I am dust and ashes.”
King David, whom God called “the sweetest psalmist of Israel,” and “a man after My own heart.” When speaking to God, David said, “I was shaped in sin.”
Isaiah, who was claimed to be the greatest of the prophets. When he came into God’s presence, said, “Woe is me for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips.”
Daniel, whom the angel Gabriel declared as “a man greatly beloved” by God. When Daniel saw God, he fell on his face and said, “My comeliness has turned me into corruption, and I have no strength.”
Peter, whom Jesus stated would be the rock of His church said, “Away from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
Paul, the New Testament Apostle said, “I am the chief of sinners.” He also commented, “God dwells in the light which no man can approach into.”
Juxtaposition the two.
Unrepentant sinners are unyielding to the Lord, unwilling to bend and break their sinfulness. They are stubborn and arrogant and divisive. While the repentant broken see, admit, and change their ways. And in their realization they understand that they have no right to the glorious, wonderful, saving grace and mercy shown through God the Father and His Sacrificial Son!
Therefore, God protects His broken servants—those who bow down before Him, who get on their knees, knowing they are sinners. The broken beloved do not suffer God’s wrath.
Glory hallelujah and thank You, Lord, that each and every day You show Your beloved just how great were (and are!) Your efforts toward us—even while we were sinners. We wilt like flowers in the sun before Your Power and Might, small and unworthy—yet, we revel in Your Saving Grace. You provide us Your power. You demand we take Your mantle and fight for the lost, becoming Your hands and feet in this fallen world. We are Yours alone—Your willing servants—open to whatever You deem necessary, good, and helpful. Please provide Your great and wonderful faith as we serve You, O Lord.
Amen.