Nov 3 Ezekiel 1, Ezekiel 2, Ezekiel 3 Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 5:1-10 Psalm 119:153-160

Ezek 1:5-6

And from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had a human likeness, but each had four faces, and each of them had four wings. 

This vision that Ezekiel had has been a source of fascination for many people over the years. I understand why – it’s very vivid. These creatures that he sees are hard to picture, but they certainly don’t match the fluffy harp playing versions of angels we often imagine.

What he is seeing is a vision of the likeness of God – or a vision of the glory of God. A Physical manifestation of the presence of God…

Which is interesting, and something that confuses Ezekiel. The glory of God was supposed to be back in Jerusalem – in the temple. But Ezekiel is not in Jerusalem… he’s been captured and taken to Babylon.

He’s been a captive in a forgone land for 5 years at this point.

In the middle of exile, in a forgone land, in a time of torment and destruction – God still speaks. He’s not left them – His will is still to see their hearts turn back to Him.

This book is a book of judgement – but it’s also one of hope.

Even in the darkest times, when it feels like God is miles away – He still speaks. He still brings a message of repentance and hope.

And he still speaks powerfully and vividly. We just have to be open to hearing from Him. No matter what you are going through – you could have lost everything and wonder if things will ever be good again – listen for His voice. He’s still speaking.

Ezek 18:19

If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.  But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. 

Ezekiel was responsible to speak what God had said. He had a duty to deliver the message.

The response was not on him, just the duty to speak.

Whilst this was specifically to a people that God knew was not going to listen, and therefore we need to be careful what we take from this, there is a principle that we can apply to our lives.

We have a message of warning. Not just of life and death – but of eternal life and death. We have been entrusted to deliver it, so deliver it we must.

If we don’t share… I wouldn’t like to go as far as to say “their blood it on your hands” – but they certainly aren’t going o be able to do anything about it if they don’t hear.

We have a duty to share the gospel.

How people respond… well that’s on them. But we need to make sure that they have the opportunity.