Ezekiel 3:1-27
Q.1. Did the fact that Ezekiel was not called to a cross-cultural mission make his task any easier? Why? – (Ezk.3:1-7)
Though digesting the scroll of God’s truth was sweet to Ezekiel, God’s Word was despised by his people (Ezk.3:1-3). God informed the prophet that he had not been called to – a people of unintelligible speech or difficult language, but to the house of Israel … to those who should listen to you (Ezk.3:5-6).  Ezekiel’s words would be rejected because people were unwilling to listen to God (Ezk.3:7). As Jesus stated – … no prophet is welcome in his own hometown (c.f. Lk.4:24).
Q.2. How did God prepare His prophet to execute his mission to the exiles? – (Ezk.3:8-15, & 22-27)
Ezekiel was forewarned that the exiles would not be willing to listen (Ezk.3:7-11). For such a difficult mission, God strengthened Ezekiel with another vision of His glory – The Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me, ‘Blessed be the glory of the Lord in His place … and behold, the glory of the Lord was standing there, like the glory which I saw by the river Chebar, and I fell on my face (Ezk.3:12 & 23). Ezekiel’s ministry among the exiles caused consternation (Ezk.3:14-15). God instructed him to only speak what and when He commanded (Ezk.3:25-27).
Q.3. What essentially was Ezekiel’s role as a watchman? How could he deliver his soul from judgment? – (Ezk.3:16-21)
A watchman’s role was to faithfully warn of danger from an invading enemy. Ezekiel had been appointed to act as Israel’s watchman – Son of Man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me (Ezk.3:17). He had no permission to change the message that God had given him. The nation could either listen and repent or ignore the warning. God would do as He promised. The prophet was obliged to pass on the dreaded message – or his blood I will require at your hand … or by passing on the warning – to deliver yourself (Ezk.3:18 & 19). It was a message of life or death, depending on the response of the hearers (Ezk.3:18-21 c.f. 2 Cor.2:14-17). The response of the hearers is also God’s responsibility (c.f. 1 Cor.3:5-9).