Ezekiel

Ezekiel 3: God gives His warning

Begin in prayer

Before we read about God's watchman, let us ask the Lord to make us attentive to His warning. Ask God to quiet our thoughts, meet with this household and open our eyes to Christ in Ezekiel 3.

I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.

Hosea 12:10

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Please show us the danger of sin and the mercy found in Jesus, so that we receive Your warning. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Ezekiel eats God's scroll and tastes its sweetness before being sent to Israel's hardhearted people. God strengthens him to face their refusal, and the Spirit takes him to the captives at Tel Aviv. After seven days, God appoints him as a watchman who must warn individuals about sin and death. The wicked die in their sin, and Ezekiel answers for their blood if he fails to warn them. The righteous who turn to sin also die, while those who heed the warning live. God makes Ezekiel mute among this rebellious people, then promises to open his mouth when He speaks to him.

As you read Ezekiel 3, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God warns people about sin and holds His messenger responsible to speak.

Eating the scroll and receiving God's words in his heart prepare Ezekiel to speak a message he must first receive himself. Israel understands his language, so the trouble is not the words. Their hearts are hard against God, and refusing His messenger means refusing Him. God's strengthening equips His servant to face the opposition of people whose hardened hearts resist Him. A watchman must warn of approaching danger, and here the danger is death under God's judgment for sin. His responsibility concerns each person, including both the wicked and the righteous person who turns to sin. A hearer's refusal does not excuse the watchman's silence, for God requires the unwarned person's blood from him. Giving the warning delivers the messenger's own soul, even when the person refuses it and dies in sin. God also governs his silence and opens his mouth to speak, keeping the warning under the authority of the One who sends him.

How does Ezekiel 3 show us that God warns people about sin and holds His messenger responsible to speak?

God equips His servant to speak.

The scroll tastes like honey as Ezekiel eats it, and God tells him to receive His words in his heart. Israel's hard hearts will resist him, though they understand his language. God makes his forehead harder than flint so he can face them (verses 1 to 11).

God requires a faithful warning about sin.

Ezekiel must hear God's word and warn the wicked person, whose sin brings death (verses 17 to 19). If he stays silent, God requires that person's blood at his hand. Giving the warning delivers Ezekiel's soul, even when the hearer refuses to turn.

God calls the righteous to heed warning.

When a righteous man turns to sin, God lays a stumbling block before him and he dies (verse 20). His former righteous deeds are not remembered, and Ezekiel answers for failing to warn him. If he takes the warning and does not sin, he lives (verse 21).

Memorize

Son of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel. Therefore hear the word from my mouth, and warn them from me.

Ezekiel 3:17

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what warning am I ignoring when I need Jesus to rescue me?

God says to Ezekiel, “warn them from me.” The danger is real, and silence would leave the prophet answerable for blood. Yesterday's righteous deeds cannot shelter someone who turns to sin. We need to hear the Lord's warning with our own hearts.

Jesus came knowing the danger facing sinners. He carried His people's guilt to the cross and endured God's judgment instead of them. His obedience and death accomplished everything needed for their salvation, with nothing left for them to complete. God raised Him from the dead, and He lives as the Savior sinners need.

Hear His call today, repent and trust Jesus, and come to Him for mercy. Forgiveness belongs to everyone who comes to Him in repentance and faith. Please take His warning seriously and seek His mercy. The risen Savior receives those who turn to Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God's warnings must be heard, and Christ saves sinners through His death and resurrection. 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 warning people about sin, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 1:21

Lord, thank You for giving warnings that expose the danger of our sin. Forgive our refusal to listen, and help each of us repent and believe in Jesus. Please teach us to receive Your Word with humble hearts and to speak Your truth faithfully this week. Amen.