Are We Hard as a Diamond?

O. T. #1854  "Are We Hard as a Diamond?"

January 6, 2021

Ezekiel 3-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

 As a review, the Babylonians began their deportations of the Jews in 606 BC which included Daniel. The second group included Ezekiel, a young man about of about 25 years of age. He was taken to Tel-abib near the ship canal Chebar. (verse 15) Then 5 years later, God called Ezekiel to be His prophet to those exiled. This occurred about 6 years before Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed in 586. So Jeremiah was ministering to the Jews back home.

Ezekiel's task as a priest called prophet was to tell the captives that God would destroy Jerusalem, not Babylon, then one day gloriously restore the people and the Temple. In his first vision, Ezekiel saw a fiery chariot, surrounded by angels, come in a whirlwind. This symbolized God's judgment on Jerusalem. As a rainbow was in the storm, Ezekiel was shown God's mercy and His covenant would not fail His people. We will recall that Noah saw the rainbow after the storm, John saw it before the storm, and Ezekiel saw it within the storm.  [Resource: Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament]

With that said, God told Ezekiel to go speak His Words to the hardhearted and hardheaded captive Jews. Since he was obedient, those Jews were without excuse that they did not know what was coming because God sent a prophet in their midst-Ezekiel.

What encouragement did Ezekiel receive from God as he prepared for such a difficult task? We read in verses 8-10:

• God made hardhearted and stronger than his hearers. (verse 8) Ezekiel's nerve and courage  was made strong as steel for when he faced opposition.
• God made him adamant, which means a gem, probably a diamond (stone), which refers to Ezekiel being sharp as an engraving implement as God's message was given to him. It also refers to a thorn-bush, which means the words Ezekiel spoke would prick the hearts of the Jews.(verse 9)
• God told Ezekiel to let His Words sink deep into his own heart first. (verse 10a)
• God told the prophet to listen carefully for himself. (verse 10b)

I wonder how many sermons I have heard during my lifetime. I began attending church services and Sunday School when I was a child, then continued as a youth, and as an adult. Have I allowed God's Words to sink into my heart, then apply it? Have I allowed the Word to change my heart and life? Has it made my faith stronger through the years? How about you, dear friend?   

LET IT GROW

In verse 14, the Spirit of God lifted up Ezekiel to the River Chebar. He went in bitterness and turmoil, but the LORD's strong hand held him there.  He came to the colony of Judean exiles, was overwhelmed, and sat among them for seven days.  He sat in complete silence with the Jews, his people. This was the place where the prophet's ministry would begin.

Why was Ezekiel bitter and angry? Because the sin of Judah's people angered him as much as it angered the Lord. This is a reminder that the spirituality is manifested when we feel the way God feels about unrighteousness. (Tony Evans)

They had turned to idolatry, forsaking the worship and dependency upon God. As a child is disciplined for doing wrong and disobedience, so God disciplines His children. Have you been taken to the woodshed lately? It isn't pleasant, but needful so we have a repentant heart and changed life. Actually, it is a good thing, for it shows us the love and mercy of God for us. 

Is our heart strong as a diamond as we proclaim God's Word and Truth? How about our faith? Even when we face hardhearted people, we must be faithful to tell them what God's Word says.

LET IT GO

May Your Word prick our hearts, O LORD God.

Make it strong in us and shine in us like a diamond.

Help us to listen to the Spirit as He speaks to our heart, then obey when He says go.