Scripture: And as for the impudent and obstinate children, I am sending you to them. And you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.” As for them, whether they listen or not (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them. Ezekiel 2:4-5
Observation: As God commissions Ezekiel, he repeatedly warns him that the Israelites will not listen to him. Yet in this passage, he provides one critical clarification ... that they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.
In other words, when the Israelites reject the warnings, instructions, and guidance from Ezekiel - and they will - they will do so with the full comprehension that Ezekiel is a prophet and thus they are rejecting the word of God. The Israelites will reject God, not Ezekiel, in this manner, and their rejection will be upon their heads and not upon any shortcoming of Ezekiel.
Application: I have seen friends reject God, while having an apparent understanding that there is, in fact, one God of the universe. I have been told by others "I believe there is a God" as they explain why they don't believe in God. It is a mystery to me how that works. I know that was my turning point - when I had to reconcile the fact that either there was or wasn't a God, and if there was I needed to respond to that fact accordingly. How someone knows there is a God and won't then live their life in a manner consistent with that fact is strange.
And yet, God knows it happens. He warned Ezekiel of it - the people would know he was sent from God, and wouldn't listen anyway. And these were people now destroyed by God's wrath! How much more will people living "comfortable" lives, with money, position, children, and comfort, ignore the word of God even while believing he exists?
Prayer: Dear Lord, your patience is so great, and your love so amazing. You know the ways of us all, and forgive us even while knowing we will rebel again. You go so far as to labor and call others to reach people who you know in advance will reject, ignore, and scorn the teaching. This is a sign of such love. I will look for opportunities to serve you this day in the midst of that great love. Amen.
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