Speak To God And The People

Speak to God and the People

“Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you” - Ezekiel 2:1 (NKJV)

Ezekiel is sharing his personal story of God coming to him in a vision, and calling him as a prophet/priest. Ezekiel sees the “glory of Yahweh” coming down from heaven. It is so overwhelming that he falls on his face. But the Lord did not let him remain there as He said, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.”

The message, which Ezekiel had preached, is given to him in a kind of scroll. So, Ezekiel had received his calling, but it is not a promising situation. It is a hard call and God made it clear. In exercising his prophetic office, Ezekiel would have to preach to deaf ears and dwell among scorpions. There is no prospect of success laid on the prophet in the initial call to ministry. And that burden of no prospect continues to increase as God continues to speak.

Even so, the call Ezekiel received carries the power of support. Ezekiel’s message is to proclaim the words of which he was given to eat. That message is written in a scroll or book, which exists already in heaven, and it tastes as sweet as honey. From now on, the prophet is entirely on God’s side and the person and the message are the same. God’s command to the prophet to speak to the people of Israel, For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God. “As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that a prophet has been among them” (Ezekiel 2:4-5)

The highlighted and marvelous word is– “Whether they hear or refuse to hear, they shall know that there has been a prophet among them."

The Old Testament scholar Gerhard Van Rad says that more than any other prophet, Ezekiel is influenced by the priestly religious life of Israel, and indeed his prophetic ministry is a priestly one. His calling was not just the traditional prophetic task of addressing the community and the nation – speaking the Word of God to them – but also caring for individuals, assisting persons in realizing their own situation in the eyes of God.

Ezekiel's role was as a prophet/priest that is reflected in our text. What is the role of a prophet/priest: People will know that God’s representative has been among them. Secondly, a foundational understanding of the function of a prophet/priest. She or he speaks to the people for God and to God for the people. Let’s explore those foundational functions. Today, I would like to explain three foundation functions of a prophet.

I. Speak to God for God:

Go back to Ezekiel 2:1-3, there are some lessons, directions, and promises for us.

First, God says, “Stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.” (2:1). The lesson? We are to listen. Our stance must always be a receptive one. “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” In 1 Samuel 3:10, The Lord came and called at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”

Now note this second thing. After hearing God tell him to “stand on his feet” so that he might speak to him Ezekiel says, “ Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me.” -Ezekiel 2:2.

The lesson? It is not our ability to do what God calls us to do, but our willingness to respond, to yield, to attempt what He calls us, that releases God’s power. God called Ezekiel, “stand on your feet,” but then as he says “A spirit entered into me and set me on my feet.”

We may express this second lesson in this fashion: God does not call us to a ministry or a mission that we can accomplish in our own strength and with our own resources – but only with His divine aid or help. In that way, we are kept on our knees, dependent on Him.

Then there is a third lesson and promise. See it there in chapter 3:1-3. Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness. (Ezekiel 3:1-3)

The lesson? We must become one with God’s Word. When we speak to God for God, He will feed your belly, fill your stomach with joy, and the Word will come to your mouth like honey in sweetness. The Apostle John saw a vision that an angel was standing on the earth and he had a little book. In Revelation 10:10, we read. Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. Psalmist says, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!” - Psalm 119:103. These are the lessons, directions, and promise the Lord our God has given us. Speak to God for God they will know that a prophet is among them.