Ezekiel

Ezekiel 2: God speaks to rebellious people

Begin in prayer

Before hearing God's commission to Ezekiel, please come to the Lord with teachable hearts. Pray that the Lord would settle our hearts, draw near to our family and show us Christ in Ezekiel 2.

Yes, they made their hearts as hard as flint, lest they might hear the law, and the words which Yahweh of Armies had sent by his Spirit by the former prophets. Therefore great wrath came from Yahweh of Armies.

Zechariah 7:12

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us understand Your warning and see Jesus, who speaks Your truth to sinners. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

After the vision of glory, the Spirit sets Ezekiel on his feet to hear God's commission. God sends him to the children of Israel, who continue their fathers' rebellion. He must speak the Lord's words whether they listen or refuse, without fearing their words or looks. God warns Ezekiel to listen himself and never join their rebellion. God commands him to eat a scroll written on both sides with lamentations, mourning and woe.

As you read Ezekiel 2, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God sends His word to rebellious people, whether they listen or refuse.

The voice Ezekiel heard now commands him to stand, and the Spirit sets him on his feet. God sends him to Israel, whose children continue their fathers' rebellion against Him. The problem lies in their stubborn hearts, even though they belong to the nation God addresses. Ezekiel must speak God's words whether they listen or refuse. Their words and looks must never decide what message he gives. God also warns His messenger against sharing their rebellion, for he must hear before he speaks. A hand presents a scroll, the rolled form of a book, written on both sides. Its lamentations, mourning and woe show the judgment this rebellious people must hear.

How does Ezekiel 2 show us that God sends His word to rebellious people whether they listen or refuse?

God gives His servant strength to hear.

Ezekiel has fallen before God's glory, and now the Spirit sets him on his feet (verses 1 and 2). He hears the One who speaks. The strength to receive this calling comes from God.

God sends His words despite stubborn hearts.

God calls Israel rebellious and describes their hearts as stubborn (verses 3 to 5). Ezekiel must tell them what the Lord says. Their refusal to listen cannot cancel God's authority over them.

God commands His messenger to listen too.

Ezekiel must resist fear and speak God's words, even among people compared with thorns and scorpions (verses 6 and 7). He must also refuse their rebellion himself. The scroll's mourning and woe are words he must receive from God.

Memorize

You shall speak my words to them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear; for they are most rebellious.

Ezekiel 2:7

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, which word from Jesus am I refusing to hear?

God tells Ezekiel, “You shall speak my words to them.” Israel's stubbornness does not silence the Lord. Those words of mourning and woe expose the danger of rebellion against Him. Please hear the warning, for our own hearts also resist God's authority.

Jesus obeyed the Father throughout His life and spoke the truth even when people rejected Him. At the cross, He accepted the sentence His rebellious people deserved and died in their place. He secured their salvation by that death, paying for their sin in full. Then He rose again, victorious over death.

Turn from your rebellion and believe in Jesus Christ. No willing sinner finds Him unwilling to forgive. Bring your stubborn heart to Him and ask for mercy. The Lord who sends His word commands us to receive His Son.

Parent's note

Tell your children that rebellion deserves judgment, and Jesus died and rose to save those who trust Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for sending His word to rebellious people, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:13

Father, thank You for speaking even when people refuse to listen. Please forgive our stubbornness and help each one turn from sin and trust Jesus Christ. Give us hearts that receive Your Word, and help us speak truth with courage and gentleness this week. Amen.