Overview

Ezekiel 3 continues the story of Ezekiel’s prophetic calling and deepens his understanding of what it means to be God’s messenger. In this chapter, God commands Ezekiel to eat the scroll presented to him in the previous chapter. The scroll is filled with words of lament, mourning, and woe, but when Ezekiel eats it, it tastes as sweet as honey. This act symbolizes Ezekiel fully taking in God’s word – not just hearing it, but making it part of himself.

After eating the scroll, Ezekiel is told to go and speak to the people of Israel, who are described again as rebellious and stubborn. God reminds Ezekiel that his mission will be hard, not because the message is unclear, but because the hearts of the people are hard. Even though Ezekiel’s audience shares his language and culture, they will refuse to listen to him just as they have refused to listen to God.

God strengthens Ezekiel for this difficult task, making him as unyielding and hardened as the people he will face. God sets Ezekiel’s face like flint, giving him supernatural resolve to withstand opposition. After this, the Spirit lifts Ezekiel and takes him away, and Ezekiel experiences both bitterness and the powerful hand of the Lord upon him. This tension reflects the difficult burden of prophetic ministry – Ezekiel feels the weight of God’s word and the sorrow of the people’s sin.

The chapter ends with Ezekiel being placed among the exiles, where he sits in silence for seven days, overwhelmed by what God has shown him. After this time of silence, God officially appoints Ezekiel as a watchman for the people, holding him responsible for warning them about coming judgment. If Ezekiel fails to speak, he will be held accountable for their blood, but if he warns them faithfully, he will be innocent even if they refuse to listen.

Theologically, this chapter underscores the authority and weight of God’s word. Ezekiel’s message does not originate with him – it comes directly from God. This affirms the doctrine of biblical inerrancy, showing that true prophecy and Scripture itself come from God’s mouth. The image of Ezekiel eating the scroll highlights that God’s messengers must first internalize the word before they proclaim it.

Ezekiel 3 also shows the serious responsibility of spiritual leadership. As a watchman, Ezekiel is accountable for delivering God’s message. This connects to the New Testament teaching that teachers will be judged more strictly (James 3:1). Ezekiel’s role points forward to the responsibility all Christians have to be faithful witnesses, warning others of judgment and offering the hope of repentance.

The chapter ultimately highlights the faithfulness of God. Even though His people are rebellious, He still speaks to them, sends them a prophet, and gives them every opportunity to repent. This faithful love, even in the face of rejection, is central to God’s redemptive work throughout Scripture.

Historical and Literary Context

Ezekiel 3 takes place during Ezekiel’s early prophetic ministry in Babylon, where he is living among the first wave of exiles who were taken from Jerusalem in 597 BC. These exiles were leaders, craftsmen, and others considered important by Babylon, and they were forcibly removed from their land as part of God’s judgment on Judah’s sin. Ezekiel is one of them, a priest by background, now called to be a prophet.

The people Ezekiel is sent to are already under judgment, but they still refuse to acknowledge their sin. They believe they are God’s covenant people and assume that exile is only a temporary setback. They resist the idea that God would allow Jerusalem to fall completely. This historical setting helps explain why Ezekiel’s message of further judgment is so hard for them to accept – they are clinging to false hope and ignoring their own guilt.

Literarily, Ezekiel 3 combines prophetic symbolism, direct divine commands, and personal narrative. The eating of the scroll is a powerful prophetic action, showing that God’s word is not just something to be spoken but something to be consumed and embodied. The appointment of Ezekiel as a watchman follows the biblical pattern of God placing responsibility for others’ spiritual welfare on key leaders, such as prophets and priests (Jeremiah 6:17, Hebrews 13:17).

The combination of symbolic action, divine command, and personal response in this chapter is typical of the prophetic calling narratives found throughout Scripture. Like Isaiah, who saw God’s glory and confessed his own sin before being sent (Isaiah 6), and like Jeremiah, who was called from the womb and told to stand strong against opposition (Jeremiah 1), Ezekiel’s commissioning reflects both the authority of God and the personal cost of speaking for Him.

Understanding this context helps us see Ezekiel 3 not as a metaphor or parable, but as a literal, historical record of God’s real call to a real man in a real place, affirming the truthfulness and authority of Scripture. This historical grounding also highlights the seriousness of the message – this is not a fictional warning but a real call to repentance grounded in God’s covenant with Israel.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points

Ezekiel 3 emphasizes the theme of God’s sovereignty in calling and equipping His servants. Ezekiel does not choose his message, his audience, or his circumstances – God sovereignly calls him, gives him the words, and places him among the exiles. This reflects the broader biblical teaching that ministry is not human ambition but divine appointment (John 15:16).

This chapter also highlights the authority of God’s word. The scroll comes directly from God’s hand, covered in His words of lament, mourning, and woe. Ezekiel does not have the right to change or soften the message. This affirms the doctrine of biblical inerrancy – God’s word is not shaped by human preference but by divine truth (2 Timothy 3:16).

Another key theme is the seriousness of human sin. Israel’s continued rebellion, even after exile, shows the deep stubbornness of the human heart. This reflects the biblical teaching that all people are born in sin and resistant to God’s truth (Romans 3:10-12).

Ezekiel 3 also emphasizes the responsibility of spiritual leadership. As a watchman, Ezekiel is accountable for warning the people. This teaches the doctrine of stewardship in ministry – leaders are entrusted with God’s truth and must deliver it faithfully, knowing they will answer to God for how they carried out their calling (Hebrews 13:17).

Another theme is the personal cost of ministry. Ezekiel experiences bitterness and anguish after receiving his commission. Faithful ministry, especially ministry that confronts sin, comes with personal sorrow and struggle. This reflects the biblical reality that proclaiming truth in a fallen world is often painful (Jeremiah 20:7-9).

Finally, this chapter highlights God’s faithful love and patience. Even though the people are rebellious, God continues to speak to them, giving them every opportunity to repent. This points to God’s heart throughout Scripture – He desires not the death of the wicked but that they turn and live (Ezekiel 33:11).

Together, these themes teach profound doctrinal truths: God sovereignly calls His servants, entrusts them with His authoritative word, holds them accountable for their stewardship, calls them to proclaim even when the message is hard, and continues to show grace by speaking to rebellious people. These truths apply not only to Ezekiel but to every generation of God’s people, especially those called to teach, preach, and lead in the church today.

Ezekiel 3:1-3

“He said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. Then he said to me, ‘Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.’ So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.”

God commands Ezekiel to eat the scroll, which is covered with words of lament, mourning, and woe (Ezekiel 2:10). This is more than a symbolic gesture – it is a picture of what every prophet, preacher, or teacher must do. Before Ezekiel can speak for God, he must fully receive God’s word into his own heart and life. The scroll’s contents are bitter in their message, yet sweet in the prophet’s experience because they are the very words of God (Psalm 119:103).

This teaches the importance of internalizing God’s word. Faithful ministry starts with being shaped by God’s truth before speaking it to others. It also affirms the doctrine of biblical inerrancy – Ezekiel receives the words directly from God’s hand, showing that the message does not originate with the prophet but with God. This reflects the consistent biblical teaching that God’s word is both divine in origin and authoritative in content (2 Timothy 3:16).

Application: Before speaking to others, believers must first feast on the word themselves. Ministry is not about repeating religious slogans – it is about speaking the truth that has already transformed your own heart.

Ezekiel 3:4-7

“He then said to me: ‘Son of man, go now to the people of Israel and speak my words to them. You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and strange language, but to the people of Israel – not to many peoples of obscure speech and strange language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you. But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for all the Israelites are hardened and obstinate.’”

God tells Ezekiel that his message will not be well received, not because it is too difficult to understand, but because the people have hardened their hearts. This reflects the deep-rooted rebellion of Israel, who had rejected prophet after prophet before Ezekiel (2 Chronicles 36:15-16). Their refusal to listen to Ezekiel is really a refusal to listen to God Himself.

This passage teaches the doctrine of human depravity. Sin is not just weakness – it is willful rebellion against God’s word. It also teaches that faithful preaching is not guaranteed to produce positive results. Faithfulness in ministry is measured by obedience, not popularity or visible success.

Application: Christians are called to speak God’s truth even when people resist it. Faithfulness means proclaiming what God has said, not changing the message to make it more acceptable.

 Ezekiel 3:8-9

“But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.”

God promises to give Ezekiel supernatural courage and resolve. Just as the people are stubborn in their rebellion, Ezekiel will be made stubborn in his obedience. His “forehead like flint” shows that God will strengthen him to withstand the hostility he will face (Isaiah 50:7). This highlights the biblical truth that God equips those He calls, giving them the courage they need to endure opposition (Acts 4:29-31).

This also reinforces the doctrine of divine sovereignty in ministry – God does not just call people to difficult tasks, He also gives them the strength to persevere.

Application: When facing opposition, believers must depend on God’s strength, not their own courage. God equips those who stand for truth, giving them the boldness to endure even when the world resists.

Ezekiel 3:10-11

“And he said to me, ‘Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you. Go now to your people in exile and speak to them. Say to them, “This is what the Sovereign Lord says,” whether they listen or fail to listen.’”

Ezekiel is called to internalize God’s word before he speaks it. Ministry is not just about delivering information – it is about proclaiming truth that has shaped your own heart. Ezekiel must also speak with confidence in God’s authority, saying, “This is what the Sovereign Lord says.” The results are left in God’s hands, whether the people listen or not.

This teaches the doctrine of biblical authority – God’s word carries authority because it comes from Him, not from the messenger. It also reinforces the prophetic principle that faithfulness means proclaiming the full message, regardless of how people respond.

Application: Christians must speak truth with humility and boldness, trusting God to work through His word. Our job is obedience; God handles the results.

Ezekiel 3:12-15

“Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound as the glory of the Lord rose from the place where I was standing… I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Aviv near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days – deeply distressed.”

The Spirit carries Ezekiel away, showing that this mission is divinely directed. The loud rumbling points to God’s glory departing from the throne vision in chapter 1, reminding Ezekiel that this is not just a personal call but part of God’s larger redemptive plan. When Ezekiel arrives among the exiles, he sits in silence for seven days, overwhelmed by the weight of his calling and the seriousness of God’s message.

This highlights the weight of prophetic ministry. Speaking for God is not a light task – it is a sacred responsibility that should lead to reverence, humility, and deep reflection. This passage also teaches that effective ministry requires identifying with the people you are sent to serve – Ezekiel sits among them, not apart from them.

Application: Before speaking into people’s lives, believers must be willing to sit with them, understand their struggles, and feel the weight of God’s truth. Ministry requires both truth and compassion.

Ezekiel 3:16-21

“At the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me…’”

God officially appoints Ezekiel as a watchman – someone responsible for warning the people of danger. If Ezekiel fails to warn them, their blood will be on his hands, but if he warns them and they refuse to listen, he is innocent. This reinforces the serious responsibility of spiritual leadership (Hebrews 13:17).

This passage teaches the doctrine of accountability in ministry. Those called to teach, preach, and lead are accountable not only for their own obedience but for faithfully delivering God’s message to others. This does not mean they are responsible for people’s responses – only for delivering the truth.

Application: Every Christian, especially leaders, should see themselves as watchmen – people entrusted with the gospel and responsible for warning others of judgment and calling them to repentance.

Ezekiel 3:22-27

“The hand of the Lord was on me there, and he said to me, ‘Get up and go out to the plain, and there I will speak to you.’ So I got up and went out to the plain. And the glory of the Lord was standing there, like the glory I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown.”

Once again, Ezekiel encounters God’s glory, reminding him that his ministry is rooted in divine revelation, not personal ambition. God tells Ezekiel that he will be bound and unable to speak except when God opens his mouth to deliver specific messages. This highlights that Ezekiel’s words are not his own – his mouth belongs to God.

This reinforces the doctrine of divine inspiration – God’s word, not human ideas, is what prophets are called to speak. It also teaches that silence can be part of faithful ministry – there is a time to speak and a time to be silent, both directed by God (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

Application: Believers must surrender their speech to God – speaking only what is true, and being silent when necessary. Our words should always align with God’s truth, not personal opinion.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ

Ezekiel 3 points to Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the prophetic office and the perfect embodiment of God’s word. Just as Ezekiel was commanded to eat the scroll, Jesus is the eternal Word made flesh, the perfect prophet who not only spoke God’s message but was Himself the message (John 1:14). Like Ezekiel, Jesus came to rebellious people who refused to listen, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy that the people would have eyes but not see, ears but not hear (Matthew 13:14-15). Ezekiel’s role as a watchman who must warn people of impending judgment also points forward to Jesus, who came preaching repentance because the kingdom of God was near (Mark 1:15). While Ezekiel was a limited prophet delivering a temporary message, Jesus is the final Prophet who brings the eternal word of salvation and judgment. Ezekiel’s suffering and bitterness over his calling foreshadows the greater suffering of Jesus, who carried the full burden of sin and rejection on the cross (Isaiah 53:3-5). The scroll Ezekiel eats, filled with lament, mourning, and woe, reminds us that God’s word contains both judgment and hope, and Jesus embodies both – He warns of judgment on sin but offers Himself as the way of salvation. Ezekiel’s faithfulness to speak, whether people listen or not, reflects Jesus’ own ministry, where He remained faithful to the Father’s will even though He was despised and rejected (John 5:30). This chapter shows that God’s redemptive plan, which climaxes in Christ, involves both proclaiming judgment on sin and offering the mercy of God through repentance, a message perfectly fulfilled in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

How the Chapter Connects to the Father

Ezekiel 3 reveals the Father as the sovereign source of the message, the One who speaks, sends, and holds both the prophet and the people accountable. The scroll Ezekiel eats comes directly from the hand of God, showing that all revelation originates from the Father’s will (Hebrews 1:1). The Father calls Ezekiel, equips him, and places him in the exact context where He wants him to minister. This reflects the Father’s sovereign authority over all aspects of ministry and life (Ephesians 1:11). The Father’s holiness is also revealed in the words of lament, mourning, and woe – these are the righteous judgments of a holy God who cannot overlook sin (Habakkuk 1:13). At the same time, the Father’s mercy is evident in His determination to send Ezekiel with a warning message, showing that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires repentance (Ezekiel 33:11). The Father’s faithfulness shines through in this chapter because, despite Israel’s rebellion, He still speaks to them, still sends a prophet, and still offers them an opportunity to repent. This is the heart of the Father throughout Scripture – a holy God who judges sin but longs to restore sinners through His gracious word.

How the Chapter Connects to the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays an active and essential role in Ezekiel 3, empowering, directing, and enabling Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry. It is the Spirit who lifts Ezekiel to his feet and strengthens him to stand in God’s presence and receive the message (Ezekiel 3:12). The Spirit also physically lifts Ezekiel and carries him to the place where God wants him to minister, showing that the Spirit is not just the source of power, but also the One who sovereignly directs the steps of God’s servants (Acts 16:6-7). This reflects the broader biblical role of the Spirit as the divine enabler of all ministry, equipping prophets, apostles, and all believers to speak truth and fulfill their calling (Acts 1:8). The Spirit’s work in Ezekiel’s ministry reveals a crucial truth: no one can stand, speak, or endure in God’s service apart from the power of the Holy Spirit. This connection to the Spirit is also a reminder that faithful proclamation of God’s word is not merely a matter of human courage or eloquence – it requires the supernatural filling and leading of the Spirit, the same Spirit who fills every believer today (2 Timothy 1:7).

Connection to God’s Love

Ezekiel 3 reveals God’s love in the way He faithfully speaks to rebellious people, even though they do not deserve it. Instead of leaving Israel in silence and judgment, God sends Ezekiel with His word, giving them yet another opportunity to repent. This is a picture of God’s covenant love – a love that persists even when His people are unfaithful (Hosea 11:8-9). God’s love is seen in the responsibility He places on Ezekiel as a watchman. By giving a clear warning, God shows that He desires sinners to turn back to Him rather than perish. This reflects God’s heart throughout Scripture – His justice requires judgment, but His love desires redemption (2 Peter 3:9). Even the bitterness Ezekiel feels after receiving his commission is a form of God’s love, allowing Ezekiel to share in God’s grief over sin and His longing for His people to return. This chapter reminds us that God’s love is not sentimental or weak – it is holy love that speaks hard truths, confronts sin, and calls people to repentance so that they might be restored. Ultimately, God’s love is shown most fully in sending Jesus, the final and perfect Watchman, who came not only to warn of judgment but to take that judgment upon Himself so that sinners could be reconciled to God (Romans 5:8).

Sermon Outline and Flow

Title: “Called to Faithfulness: Speaking God’s Truth in a Rebellious World”

Introduction:

Open with a question: What would you do if God gave you a message to deliver, knowing people wouldn’t want to hear it? Connect this to times when Christians today feel the tension between speaking truth and keeping the peace – whether it’s discussing biblical truth in the workplace, sharing the gospel with resistant family members, or standing for biblical morality in a culture that rejects it. Transition into Ezekiel 3, where God calls Ezekiel to exactly this – to speak a hard truth to a rebellious people.

Point 1: Internalize God’s Word Before You Share It (Ezekiel 3:1-3)

• Transition: Before Ezekiel can speak to others, he must first consume God’s word himself.
• Explanation: God commands Ezekiel to eat the scroll, which contains words of lament, mourning, and woe. This act shows that God’s messengers must first let God’s truth shape their own hearts before they can share it with others. The scroll tastes sweet, not because the message is easy, but because all of God’s word is good and true.
• Application: Every Christian is called to be a witness, but faithful witness starts with personal devotion. We must feast on Scripture regularly, allowing God’s truth to transform us before we speak to anyone else. A life rooted in Scripture gives authority and credibility to our words.
• Example: Imagine a chef who serves a dish they’ve never tasted – no one would trust that chef. In the same way, we cannot serve God’s word to others if we have not consumed it ourselves.

Point 2: Speak God’s Truth Faithfully, Even When People Don’t Want to Hear It (Ezekiel 3:4-7)

• Transition: After eating the scroll, Ezekiel is sent to the people of Israel, but God warns him from the start – they will not listen.
• Explanation: Ezekiel’s message is not too hard to understand, but the people’s hearts are too hard to receive it. This shows that rejection is not always a failure of the messenger or the message – it’s often the result of stubborn hearts. God calls Ezekiel to faithfulness, not success.
• Application: Christians today often feel pressured to soften God’s truth to make it more appealing. But faithfulness to God means speaking His word as it is, whether people accept it or not. Truth spoken with love is still truth, and our job is obedience – not controlling the response.
• Example: Imagine a doctor who finds cancer in a patient but decides not to tell them because it’s uncomfortable news. That’s not love; that’s malpractice. In the same way, withholding God’s truth to avoid discomfort is spiritual malpractice. True love speaks the whole truth.

Point 3: Depend on God’s Strength, Not Your Own (Ezekiel 3:8-9)

• Transition: Ezekiel’s task is difficult, but God promises to strengthen him for the opposition he will face.
• Explanation: God makes Ezekiel’s forehead like flint – stronger than the stubbornness of his audience. This shows that courage to speak the truth comes not from personality or natural boldness, but from the power of God. God equips His servants to endure rejection, opposition, and even persecution.
• Application: Christians often face fear when speaking truth, but God still strengthens His people today. Boldness in sharing the gospel or standing for biblical truth comes from relying on God’s Spirit, not from personal confidence.
• Example: Think of a soldier whose armor protects them in battle. The armor gives confidence, not because the soldier is fearless by nature, but because they know they are protected. In the same way, God’s presence and strength are the Christian’s armor in spiritual battles.

Point 4: Accept the Weight and Responsibility of Being God’s Witness (Ezekiel 3:16-21)

• Transition: After a week of silent reflection, God officially appoints Ezekiel as a watchman.
• Explanation: As a watchman, Ezekiel is responsible for warning the people. If he fails to speak, their blood is on his hands. If he speaks and they refuse to listen, he is innocent. This highlights the seriousness of being entrusted with God’s message.
• Application: Every Christian is entrusted with the gospel – we are all called to be watchmen. Sharing the gospel isn’t optional; it’s a responsibility. God’s people are accountable for faithfully proclaiming His truth, both the hope of salvation and the reality of judgment.
• Example: Picture a lifeguard who sees someone drowning but refuses to blow their whistle or jump in to help. That lifeguard would be held responsible. In the same way, Christians are responsible for warning others about sin and pointing them to salvation in Christ.

Conclusion and Call to Action:

Ezekiel 3 is a call to every believer – first, to internalize God’s word; second, to speak it faithfully; third, to rely on God’s strength; and fourth, to accept the responsibility of being a watchman. Faithfulness is not measured by results but by obedience.

Call to Action: Challenge the congregation to examine their own hearts. Are you feasting on God’s word or just sampling it? Are you more concerned with pleasing people or obeying God? Are you trusting your own courage or relying on God’s strength? Ask God for the boldness to speak truth in love and the faith to trust Him with the results.

Close with prayer, asking God to raise up faithful watchmen in the church who will proclaim the whole counsel of God with courage and compassion.

Illustrations and Examples

• The Chef Illustration: A chef who serves food they’ve never tasted is unreliable. In the same way, Christians cannot faithfully share God’s word if they are not regularly consuming it for themselves.
• The Doctor Illustration: A doctor who hides a cancer diagnosis to spare a patient’s feelings is guilty of malpractice. Withholding God’s truth because it is uncomfortable is spiritual malpractice. True love speaks the truth, even when it’s hard.
• The Soldier Illustration: A soldier’s confidence in battle comes from their armor, not from their own toughness. Christians face spiritual battles with confidence when they rely on God’s strength, not their own personality or boldness.
• The Lifeguard Illustration: A lifeguard who sees someone drowning but stays silent would be held responsible. In the same way, Christians are responsible for warning others of the danger of sin and pointing them to salvation through Christ.
• A Personal Story: Share a time you felt God prompting you to speak truth to someone – a difficult gospel conversation with a coworker, a family member resisting the truth, or a situation where speaking biblical truth cost you popularity. Connect this to Ezekiel’s faithful obedience.

Application for Today’s Christian

• First, Christians must commit to regularly consuming God’s word. Daily Bible reading, prayerful meditation, and studying Scripture in community are essential. Before you speak for God, you must be shaped by His truth.
• Second, Christians must embrace the responsibility of speaking God’s truth. Whether to friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors, believers are all called to be faithful witnesses, not silent bystanders.
• Third, Christians must trust God’s strength, not their own, when facing opposition. Speaking biblical truth in today’s culture takes courage, but God provides that courage through His Spirit. Regular prayer for boldness is crucial.
• Fourth, Christians must remember that success in God’s eyes is measured by faithfulness, not by people’s responses. Whether people accept or reject the message is not in our control – but delivering the message faithfully is.
• Fifth, Christians should develop a watchman mindset. Every believer is called to lovingly warn others about sin and point them to the hope found in Christ. This applies to parenting, friendships, community involvement, and evangelism.
• Finally, Christians must cultivate hearts that grieve for the lost. Ezekiel was overwhelmed by the weight of his calling because he understood the seriousness of sin and judgment. Christians today should ask God for compassion for the lost and a heart that longs to see sinners come to repentance.

Reflection Questions

1. Before God sent Ezekiel to speak to others, He commanded him to eat the scroll and internalize His word. How much time are you spending personally feeding on God’s word? Is God’s truth shaping your thoughts, attitudes, and decisions before you share it with others?
2. Ezekiel was sent to a rebellious people who would resist the message. Have you ever felt hesitant to speak God’s truth because you feared people would reject it? How does God’s call to Ezekiel encourage you to be faithful regardless of how people respond?
3. God made Ezekiel’s forehead like flint to strengthen him for opposition. Where do you need God’s strength right now to stand firm in your faith? Are there areas where fear of people’s opinions is holding you back from speaking the truth?
4. God appointed Ezekiel as a watchman, holding him accountable to warn others about coming judgment. How seriously do you take your responsibility to share the gospel and warn others about the reality of sin and judgment? In what ways have you been faithful, and where have you stayed silent?
5. Ezekiel was overwhelmed after receiving his calling, sitting silently for seven days. When was the last time you paused to truly consider the weight of God’s call on your life – to live for His glory and speak His truth? What might change if you regularly took time to reflect on that calling?
6. The scroll Ezekiel ate contained words of lament, mourning, and woe. How do you respond to the harder truths in Scripture – about sin, judgment, and God’s holiness? Are you tempted to focus only on comforting passages while avoiding the uncomfortable ones?