Ezekiel

Ezekiel 33: God calls hearers to repent

Begin in prayer

Before hearing the watchman's warning, let us ask God for hearts that do what His Word says. Ask God to quiet our thoughts, meet with this household and open our eyes to Christ in Ezekiel 33.

I will go and return to my place, until they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face. In their affliction they will seek me earnestly.”

Hosea 5:15

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Please help us hear Your warning honestly and see Jesus, the Savior who receives repentant 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

God appoints Ezekiel as Israel's watchman, responsible to hear His word and warn sinners to turn. He takes no pleasure in the wicked person's death and calls Israel to repent and live. Former righteousness will not protect the disobedient, while the wicked who turns and does right will live with his sins no longer remembered. A survivor brings news that Jerusalem has been struck, and Ezekiel's muteness ends as God opens his mouth. People in the ruined land claim Abraham's inheritance while continuing idolatry, bloodshed and adultery, so God announces sword, animals and plague. Other listeners enjoy the prophet's words like a song, yet follow gain and refuse to do what they hear.

As you read Ezekiel 33, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God faithfully warns His people and calls them to turn from sin and obey His word.

The watchman's trumpet explains why both messenger and hearer answer to God for His warning. Silence leaves the watchman responsible for blood, while a sounded warning makes the hearer's refusal his own responsibility. God's oath answers Israel's despair with His declared desire that the wicked turn and live. Earlier righteous deeds give no protection when a person trusts them and commits sin, for God says he will die. Returning pledges and stolen goods shows repentance reaching the wrongs a sinner has done to others. The survivor's news confirms the warning already given, removing any excuse to dismiss Ezekiel as a prophet whose words fail. Claiming Abraham's land while continuing their sins treats inheritance as protection from the God who judges those sins. Enjoying a prophet like a singer leaves the heart following gain, so pleased hearing falls short of the obedience God requires.

How does Ezekiel 33 show us that God faithfully warns His people and calls them to turn from sin and obey His word?

God makes His messenger responsible to warn.

Ezekiel must hear God's word and warn the wicked to turn (verses 1 to 9). Silence leaves the wicked dying in sin and the watchman responsible for his blood. A faithful warning delivers the watchman even when the hearer refuses it.

God calls sinners to turn and live.

God takes no pleasure in the wicked person's death and calls him to turn (verses 10 to 20). If the righteous trusts his righteousness and commits sin, his former deeds will be forgotten and he will die. The wicked who turns, returns stolen goods and walks in God's statutes will live.

God exposes hearing that refuses obedience.

The survivor confirms Jerusalem's fall, and God opens Ezekiel's mouth (verses 21 to 33). Those claiming the land eat with blood, worship idols, shed blood and commit adultery. God sends sword, devouring animals and plague against them. Others enjoy the prophet like a singer while their hearts seek gain and their lives refuse his words.

Memorize

I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.

Ezekiel 33:11

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what do I hear but not obey, and will I ask Jesus to change me?

God describes Ezekiel's listeners with these words, “they hear your words, but they don’t do them”. They enjoy the sound while their hearts run after gain. God also calls them to turn from evil and live. Hearing His call brings us face to face with the response we are withholding.

Jesus obeyed His Father and gave Himself to save disobedient people. He carried His people's sins and died under the judgment they deserved. His saving task is finished, and His sacrifice fully provides their reconciliation to God. He rose from the grave, calling sinners to receive the life He has secured.

Please turn from your sin and trust the living Lord Jesus. Forgiveness belongs to every sinner who comes to Him in faith. Bring Him the commands you have admired while ignoring them. Ask Him to give you a heart that receives His mercy and acts on His Word.

Parent's note

Tell your children that hearing God's Word cannot save them without coming to the Jesus who died and rose for sinners. 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 His faithful warning and call to turn and live, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.

James 1:22

Father, thank You for warning us and calling sinners to live. Forgive our habit of hearing Your Word without obeying it, and help each one repent and believe in Jesus. Please give us hearts that welcome Your correction and put what You say into practice. Amen.