By SRH,

Ezekiel, the most vibrant among the prophets of Israel, stands as a challenge to any committee seeking a pastor of the Southern Baptist fold. Should he come unto us, we would find ourselves at a loss, for in our eyes, he would be the least likely to grace our pulpits with his presence.

Yet, how mightily the LORD employed him! The visions bestowed upon him were rich in imagery, revealing the promise of a new covenant that the Lord assured him. Moreover, Ezekiel himself became a living testament to the very messages that God imparted through him. The Lord confined this prophet within his dwelling, silencing his voice until the appointed time when God would send him forth to declare the words of the Almighty.

The Lord made manifest the gravity of the calling bestowed upon Ezekiel, for the stakes were high and the command was unmistakable. The image presented to Ezekiel is one that we must heed, embrace, and apply to our own days. It is the likeness of a watchman stationed upon the wall, a concept easily grasped. Thus spake the Lord unto Ezekiel:

Ezekiel 3:17-19 KJV – “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.”

We comprehend. Ezekiel had a crucial responsibility to fulfill – to ensure that he was free from any guilt of causing harm to others. He was entrusted with the duty to speak whenever the LORD commanded him to, never staying silent like a watchman on the wall. Instead, he boldly proclaimed the impending danger. There is a noticeable shift of responsibility depicted in this picture, as the preacher’s role transitions to those who listen—the congregation. And the task at hand is immense. As God communicates with Ezekiel, He assures him that if he faithfully delivers His message, he will not be held accountable for the disobedience of those who choose to ignore it. However, if you neglect to communicate my words precisely as instructed, whenever I command you to speak, the responsibility for any consequences will rest upon you.

During his defense to the Ephesian elders, the Apostle Paul made a reference to Ezekiel and asserted his innocence regarding the blood of all men. Why? Because he had always been unwavering in his commitment to spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ to everyone he encountered. As stated in Romans chapter 10, it is emphasized that effective communication necessitates the use of words. These words must be conveyed by a preacher who has been called and sent for this purpose. However, it ultimately boils down to the duty of expressing oneself.

In Ecclesiastes 3:7, there is a passage that discusses the importance of knowing when to remain quiet and when to express oneself. What are the requirements for silence? The Scripture clearly outlines two situations where silence is necessary. One instance is when in the presence of the Almighty. According to the words of Habakkuk, there is a call for all the earth to remain silent before the Lord, who resides in His holy temple (Habakkuk 2:20). In Zephaniah 1:7, there is a call to silence before the Almighty. It is a reminder that the day of the Lord is drawing near. We find ourselves in a state of quiet reverence in the presence of a higher power. When divine guidance is bestowed upon us, our duty is not to utter words, but rather to attentively listen in silence.

However, there is another situation in which remaining silent is expected, and that is when we are faced with knowledge that is beyond our understanding. As Job received divine guidance, he was reminded of the importance of seeking wisdom before speaking. We should always be cautious about the words we speak. Our focus is not on theological speculation. We are not encouraged to engage in innovative interpretations. We are not called to create a message. We have no involvement in the creation, promotion, testing, or alteration of this message. We embrace it; and as we embrace it, so we proclaim.

We are currently witnessing a significant period of change in the realm of Christian faith, which holds great importance in human history. We are observing a profound shift in the way the society around us perceives, believes, and engages with the world.

Three decades ago, Allan Bloom discussed what he referred to as “the closing of the American mind.” We are currently witnessing a concerning trend where people are becoming less receptive to the message we are called to share and the truth we are entrusted to communicate. As is tradition, Gospel ministers often face backlash from the world for expressing their thoughts when the world would rather have them remain quiet. This passage from Ezekiel serves as a powerful reminder that Gospel ministers face consequences when they choose to remain silent, despite God’s clear command to speak.

According to Ezekiel 3, it is evident that we will face consequences from someone. So let us select today those with whom we will encounter difficulties. The world often encourages silence, while God encourages speaking up. We may face opposition from the world for expressing our beliefs, but the consequences of remaining silent are far more severe – the divine judgment of God. Make your decision today on which challenges you will pursue, as those challenges will undoubtedly come your way. Source