They Hear Your Words

by Joshua Cleveland

When God spoke to Ezekiel 33:30-33, He made abundantly clear how effective his prophetic work was. God tells His prophet that the people “…talk about you by the walls and in the doorways of the houses…saying, ‘Come now and hear what the message is which comes forth from the LORD.’” (Ezek. 33:30b) “They come to you…and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their gain.’” (Ezek. 33:31), “Behold, you are to them like a sensual song by one who has a beautiful voice…for they hear your words but they do not practice them.” (Ezek. 33:32)

So, why was it that Ezekiel, who spoke so well and drew such a large crowd, couldn’t produce obedient faith in his listeners? Consider what God told Ezekiel when He first called him as His prophet in Ezekiel 3:4-11. In this passage, God describes the work ahead for the prophet and what his audience would be like. They would speak the same language (3:5a), they were capable of understanding his words (3:6), and they were the ones who should listen to the prophet (3:6b). However, they were a people who would be unwilling to listen to Ezekiel just as they had been reluctant to hear God (3:7a). They are stubborn and obstinate people (3:7b). 

In the face of such a reception, God commands Ezekiel, “Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. Like emery harder than flint, I have made your forehead. Do not be afraid of them or be dismayed before them, though they are a rebellious house.” Moreover, He said to me, “Son of man, take into your heart all My words which I will speak to you and listen closely.  Go to the exiles, to the sons of your people, and speak to them and tell them, whether they listen or not, ‘Thus says the LORD God.’” (Ezek. 3:8-11) Even though the people would not listen and would intentionally ignore the word of God Ezekiel brought, he, as God’s messenger, was still to speak the word of YHWH God to them. As God’s watchman (Ezekiel 3:16-21; 33:1-20), his duty was to warn God’s people regardless of how they responded. 

Though not everyone we meet and share God’s word with will listen or obey, it is still our duty to all men to share the gospel with them. As God’s people, we are to share in seeking and saving the lost so that those willing will respond obediently. Let us also examine our attitudes to see whether or not we are stubborn and obstinate like Israel was to hear God’s message. Do we practice God’s word, or is it all just a sensual song?