Ezekiel appointed watchmen; responsible to rebuke people to save them

Ezekiel 3:16-5:4
AIM: God holds his people responsible for delivering his message

Being called to witness in a trial can be a stressful matter for anyone. It takes preparation, conviction and a willingness to "tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth - so help you God". When I was younger it was common for people to say these words while placing there hand on the Bible, this also happens when people are appointed to office of public service. In Ezekiel 3:16-27 we see Ezekiel being called to be God's witness to mankind and he's begins relating to us how it happened and what God said, let's hear what Ezekiel's testimony was after those seven days he was troubled from his first experience seeing the Lord and his angels.

A) Ezekiel appointed watchmen, to warn the wicked and righteous caught in sin to repent
(16-17) After seven days, Lord gave message "Son of man, I appointed you watchmen for Israel - when you hear me, warn others immediately

(18) If I warn wicked, 'you are under penalty of death' but you fail to warn or speak to save his life, hold you responsible for their death

(19) If you warn them, they refuse to repent and keep sinning, they will die, you will be saved because you obeyed me

(20) righteous person commits injustice, stumbling block will die in his sins, righteous acts not remembered - if you don't warn you are responsible

(21) if you warn righteous person not to sin, they listen and obey they will live and you save yourself too
Application: We are responsible for people around us, to speak in hopes of saving lives. How am I lovingly speaking God's truth to people both sinful and righteous? 

B) Ezekiel is instructed to stay home and be quiet only to speak when Lord God opens his mouth
(22-23) Lord's hand on me (took hold of me), go into valley/plain I'll speak, he went, saw glory of Lord, just like first time, fell face down

(24-26) Spirit entered me, set me on feet said go shut yourself in your house, tied with ropes, cannot go among the people, tongue sticks to roof of you mouth speechless, unable to rebuke them
(27) But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth - you'll say to them 'Thus says the Lord God' he who will hear, let him hear; he who refuses to hear let him refuse for they are a rebellious house.
Application: We speak only as the Lord allows and he who will hear listens. I don't know who will hear, I only know my calling and responsibility is to share. How am I proactively sharing God's message of salvation with those around me?

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=some%20are%20prophets

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Ezekiel is called to speak God's word to stubborn people

Ezekiel 2-3:15
AIM: to let God's word change me before giving it to others

Have you heard the rule; "don't swim after eating" or been told "you have to learn to swim before jumping in with both feet". This is good advice but you should also know how to float. In chapter 2 and the first part of chapter 3, Ezekiel is listens to the Spirit's call on his life. He's told to call to his own people who are stubborn and obstinate and tell them what God says. For some of us who like to "always be doing" we receive godly wisdom, directly from God's Spirit. He's instructed to first take the word to heart for himself and is promised to be made strong and competent for the task of telling others. God's plan for Ezekiel is laid out here and our primary lesson to learn from it is to let God's word change us before giving it to others.

A) Ezekiel receives the call of God to be sent to speak and not be affraid or rebellious
(1-2) Spirit says, "stand, I will speak" entered into Ezekiel, set him on his feet, he listened

• Same Holy Spirit who converts us (John 3:3-21), was sent to us by Christ (John 14:23,26) and works miracles of faith in us (Galatians 3:1-6)

(3) "Son of man, I am sending you to Israel rebellious nation, against me
(4) descendants stubborn, hard-hearted - tell them 'this is what the Lord God says'
(5) whether they listen or not, they will know a prophet among them
(6) son of man, don't be afraid of them their threats surround you like briers, thorns and scorpions
(7) give them my messages, whether they hear or refuse to hear
(8) son of man, hear what I say, don't be rebellious, open your mouth and eat what I give you
Application: Have I received the word of God today and allowed the Spirit to come in and change my life? What evidence is there of the Holy Spirit working in my life?

B) Ezekiel takes the word sweet as honey but leaves him overwhelmed for days
(9-10) then Ezekiel saw hand stretched out scroll, unrolled writing front and back words of lamentation (dirge, funeral songs), mourning (sorrow), woe (pronouncements of doom)

• Bummer - the message to the sinful human race is that this world is doomed and headed for judgement, therefore repent form sin and turn to God for salvation

(3:1) Son of man, eat what I am giving you, this scroll - go speak to Israel, he opened his mouth and ate it
(3) Fill your stomach with this" - he ate it tasted as sweet as honey

• Jesus lived not on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4)

(4-6) Son of man, go to  Israel, give my message - not a foreign people, language you can't understand, If so they would listen

• This I've seen to be true, in Myanmar where they've not heard the Gospel when they do it changes everything and they hunger to know more

(7-9) Israel won't listen to you or me, they are stubborn (hard head/heart), but look I made you obstinate - face and head like theirs, don't be dismayed by their looks

• Promises to equipping for good works, Philippians 4:19 God supplies all we need, the church is built up as we work together Ephesians 4:12 with the full armor of God Ephesians 6:11-18

(10) Son of man, let words sink deep into your own heart first, listen for yourself

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12 - let God's word do it's work, correcting, teaching and yes rebuking - cutting through the thoughts and attitudes of the heart
• Luke 11:28, blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it

(11) then go to your people say to them 'this is what the Lord God says' (verse 4) whether they listen or not

• going is doing (James 1:22) and we need his word to direct us in that (Psalm 119:105 lamp for feet, Psalm 119:9 staying pure according to his word)
• When we share the truth of God entrusted to us we are sharing God's testimony (2 Timothy 3:16; delivered and handed down in the Bible, it's not our message - it's his 
• and we know that faith comes by hearing the word about Christ (Romans 10:17)

(12-13) Spirit (or Wind) lifted him up, heard four beings "Blessed be the glory of the Lord from its place!"
(14) Spirit lifted me up and took me away, Ezekiel went in bitterness and turmoil but the Lord's hold on me was strong

• John 3:34; Luke 4:18-19; Acts 10:38; Acts 11:24 

(15) then came to exiles in Tel-abib, Chebar canal/Kebar River overwhelmed, sat among them for seven days
Application: How am I being changed by God's word and being lifted up? Does my heart feel troubled by the looming judgement of the people close to me?

http://dailyverses.net/the-word

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Ezekiel sees four living creatures and likeness of God's glory

Ezekiel 1:1-28
AIM: God reveals his glory when we least expect it

Ezekiel is a contemporary of Jeremiah and Daniel. He and his people were captured and being sent to unknown place, it was in this time that God revealed his glory and then spoke to him. Not only do we get to travel with Ezekiel to see this vision but we get to put ourselves there and take applications from what he witnessed. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit would bring these scriptures to life for you and that you would be changed in his power for his glory. Let's look at how God reveals his glory when we least expect it.

A) Ezekiel  sees the heavens open and visions of and from God
(1-3) July 31, 593 BC Ezekiel (priest, son of Buzi) beside Kebar River in Babylon - heavens opened visions of/from God (5th year of Jehoiachin's captivity)
Application: God often meets us in the midst of seemingly dire situations. How is God showing himself to me today? When will you take a minute to write down what God is showing you?

B) Vision of a great storm with four living creatures, awesome, fast and perfectly synchronized.
(4) Great storm from north, before it a huge cloud/lightening/brilliant, fire in cloud like gleaming metal
(5-7) center of cloud came four living creatures, looked human except w/four faces, four wings, straight legs feet like calf hooves, sparkled like burnished bronze (verse 13: like bright coals of fire, lightning "seemed"/torches between them verse)
(8-9) each wing had human hand under wing - four face, four wings with each wing touching the one next to him, moving "straight forward in any direction without turning around"
(10) Each had human face in front, lion on right, ox on the left, eagle on the back
(11) Each had two pairs of wings, touching the others, then covering itself
(12) went in whatever direction the spirit chose, moved forward any direction without turning (verse 14 darted to and fro like flashes of lightning)
Application: How is my walk with God right now? Am I moving forward in whatever direction his Spirit chooses, without turning from his instruction? Am I in close community of other born again believers in a way that we a touching each-other and moving with the spirit?

C) Vision of four wheels within wheels, rims with eyes, spiritually synchronized with living creatures.
(15) Four wheels touching ground besides them, one wheel belonging to each

• (16-17) Sparkled, gleaming beryl, looked alike, second wheel crosswise within it, could move in any of four directions with turning as they moved
• (18) rims of the four wheels tall and frightening (awesome), covered with eyes all around
• (19) When they moved, wheels moved with them - flew upward wheels up too.
• (20-21) spirit (of life) of living beings was in the wheels, wherever the spirit went living creatures and wheels went

Application: The four creatures, wheels, wings faces and feet all move lightening fast, perfectly in sync with the spirit. How is my whole life directed by the Holy Spirit and being conformed to his immediate callings? Am I in step with other born again believers in a way that we all follow the spirit without turning. Do we take up our wheels as we corporately pray (moving up)?

D) Vision above them a throne and bright shining man, surrounded by rainbow as the likeness of the glory of God
(22-23) above them, surface of sky glittering like crystal (glassy sea?), wings of each creature stretch out straight toward each other, others covering their body
(24) sound of wings in flight like roaring water, voice of almighty
(25) standing wings lowered voice spoke from beyond crystal surface above them
(26) Above expanse was like a throne, sapphire, seated above that likeness of human
(27-28) from waist up like gleaming amber, flickering fire around him- waist down burning flame, shining splendor, like a rainbow around him
(28b) this is what the likeness of the glory of the Lord looked like, fell on face and heard voice speaking to me
Application: When was the last time God showed me himself that I was brought to my knees in worship, fear and adoration? The reaction of all the prophets who came into God's presents was face down fear, while God comforted them afterwards that was the initial reaction. If I'm not having that reaction, why not?

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Ezekiel receives insight into sin, idolatry, repentance and God's hand

Ezekiel 14
AIM: Embracing things that cause sin results in judgement

A) Ezekiel receives a message from the Lord about consequences of idolatry in the heart of leaders
(1-2) Visit with leaders brings message from Lord

• (3) "These leaders set up idols in heart, embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their request"
• (4) "Tell them Sovereign Lord says; People of Israel set up idols in heart, fallen into sin ask for message, I'll answer they way idolatry deserves
• (5) "I'll do this to capture (lay hold) the minds and hearts of my people who turned from me (estranged) to worship detestable idols

B) Coming to God without repentance from sin ends in judgement

(6) Therefore, tell the people of Israel: Repent, turn away from your idols, stop all your detestable sins

(7) I, Lord will answer everyone who reject/separates from me, taking idols in heart, fallen into sin yet comes to prophet to consult me through him, I, Lord will answer him

• (8) I will turn against such people, terrible example of them, eliminating them from among my people, you will know that I am the Lord
• (9) If prophet is deceived, I, Lord deceived him, my hand against him, destroy him from my people
• (10) They'll bear punishment, prophet and those who seek their guidance
• (11) In this way, people of Israel learn not to stray from me, polluting themselves with sin. They will be my people and I will be their God, declares the Lord"

C) Ezekiel illustrates how God's hand will cut people from land who act faithlessly 

(12) Then message from Lord came

• (13) "Son of man, land/country sins against me acting faithlessly, my hand against it breaks its supply of bread/cause famine to destroy people and animals (14) Even if Noah, Daniel and Job were their there righteousness would only save themselves.
• (15) "If wild beasts ravage land and no one passes through (16) three men couldn't save sons or daughters, they alone would be saved - land would be desolate
• (17) "If I bring war/sword against land, cut off from int man and animals (18) three men couldn't save sons or daughters only they would be saved
• (19) If pestilence/epidemic into land, disease killed people/animals (20) three men couldn't save sons or daughters only they would be saved
• (21) How much more when I send all four acts of judgement: sword, famine, wild beasts, pestilence to cut off land from man and beast (22) but behold survivors, come as exiles in  Babylon - you'll see how wicked they are and be consoled (23) meet them, see their behavior understand these things are not done without cause

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