This chapter has two overarching themes: being a ‘watchman’ (relaying God’s words to others) and heeding God’s words when we hear them.
” ‘As for you, son of man, your people… say to one another… “Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the Lord.” …and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain… [when I have made the land a desolation and a waste because of all their abominations that they have committed]… then they will know that a prophet has been among them.’ ” (v29-31, 33 abr)
The two-fold message in this chapter hits me hard: if we hear a word from the Lord, we ignore it at our own peril; if we have a word from the Lord and we don’t share it, we do so at our own peril and the harm of others. The opposite is also true: God longs to bless us but doesn’t give us His fullest blessing(s) if we disobey; God also longs to bless others through us, though that blessing can be partially / fully withheld if we don’t obediently share it with them.
I’m reminded that our obedience in both hearing and sharing God’s word, and Jesus’ gospel, is paramount to not only our own joy / fulfillment, but possibly the salvation / blessing of others as well. I believe that loving God, and loving our neighbors, requires us to be obedient in both heeding and sharing God’s word (we need to know the gospel, and go into all the world to share it – ‘the great commission’).
Father God, our Wise and Generous Creator, You provide all we need for our salvation and the salvation of our neighbors. Holy Spirit please help us discern the word of the Lord, and then please embolden us to be a living testimony of that gospel. May we joyfully and generously share our Jesus story with others, so they may see the light He sines into this dark world. Father may we hear, listen to, obey, and share Your word. May all who have ears hear Your magnificent words and be blessed / saved for all eternity. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training