Ezekiel 3:16 and following

Preached by Rev, Wesley Ellis on 17th May 2009 in Cregagh Congregational Church, Belfast.
(Apologies to the preacher if these words are not exactly what you said - they are what I heard through God's voice.)

This is a very challenging message especially to those in authority and in a teaching role - but it also speaks to all Christians - the consequences of when we don't listen to God and act upon what He tells us.


Vs16 - Ezekiel is appointed as the watchman - an important job in the ancient world. The watchman sat at the highest point on the city wall and cried out if the city was under threat. BUT if he failed in his job he would forfeit his life.

Ezekiel was to be the watchman for Israel - he was called to the job by God and equipped for the job by God. And the job was to tell Israel that they had gone away from God.

So we are called to be watchmen vs26 - God said that Ezekiel would only speak God's words - not his own. And we also should speak God's words - it is our responsibility to do what He wants and say what He wants.
To do this we need to be awake to God and His word. God wants to be sovereign over our life and wants us to know His word. Paul said we are not to be peddlers of God's word - that is not to water it down and not to seek to make a profit from it. We don't need to popularise the message - it needs to be made known to those who are perishing - it needs to be told straight.

vs19 - If we don't speak the truth to the wicked man - his blood is on our hands. So we need to call it how it is. Come payday - He will call Ezekiel to account and hold us to account also. It is a high calling Christians are called to.

Ezekiel had to announce just what God would do in a sinful nation and a sinful individual -
Ezekiel 3:7 - God said that the people won't listen - He already knew BUT verses 8 & 9 say that God will make Ezekiel as hard as these people who won't listen. Because in the end the people didn't even listen to God himself.

Have we faithfully proclaimed the gospel to those we know - in our Sunday School class, our work, our family, our friends because in vs 18 God narrows it down to the individual. The message is for each one - "If a man..."So we are culpable for our own sins when we stand before God and what a privilege that He trusts us with the words of life - and what a responsibility!

vs19 - If the man listens - then he will be saved and the preacher saved from the consequences of not preaching. This is the position we take when we become Sunday School Teachers and BB leaders etc. Our telling of the gospel pours light on the way of salvation BUT also pours light on those with a lost eternity.

Hebrews 13:17 talks about the oversight - they are not there to put you down or constrain you BUT we should obey those in authority to speak the word of the Lord into our life. These people watch out for our souls. They have an ownership of the people and their blood because of the position they have been called to and the ministry they have. For they will be called to account of every word spoken. And they must do this with joy because of God's empowering and equipping for the task.

Ezekiel 3:23-24 Ezekiel was indwelt by the Holy Spirit and this enabled him to do his tasks for God. This brought a joy - a joy of doing His will and a joy that he didn't have their blood on his hands. (cf Acts 20:26ff)