Main Idea: The watchman is responsible for obedience, not results.
A Look at the Text:
Today’s text opens with Ezekiel eating the scroll containing God’s message that was presented to him at the end of chapter 2. Then, before Ezekiel even begins his ministry, God predicts that the people would not listen to him (Ez. 3:5-7).
Shockingly, if God would have sent the prophet to foreigners, they would have responded, but His own people wouldn’t heed His messages.
Ezekiel was counseled not to fear and to speak the word, whether the people listened or not (Ez. 3:9-11).
So Ezekiel traveled to the city of Tel-Abib in Babylon, where the Judean exiles were held (Ez. 3:15). There, he was told to remain in his home unless God was speaking to him (Ez. 3:22-27). In the next chapter, we see that his ministry contained both speaking and unusual illustrations that symbolized the terror that would soon be coming to Jerusalem (Ez. 4:1-17).
All in all, Ezekiel was called to be a watchman for the people of Israel, warning of impending danger (Ez. 3:17). He was to try to turn the wicked from their wickedness and to keep the righteous from falling away (Ez. 3:17-21).
If Ezekiel would be faithful to this task, he would deliver himself from guilt, even if the people refused to listen.
Bringing it Home:
God’s message to Ezekiel might be different than the message of the church today, but one principle stands firm: we are not responsible for the responses of other people.
Oftentimes, believers can be nervous about sharing the gospel or even inviting others to church. It can be easy to worry about not doing a perfect job or how the other person will respond. As a pastor, I'm still in the same boat.
We can be encouraged today that we don’t have to bear the burden of saving others—that’s the Savior’s job. We are simply responsible for what God has given us to do in the unique spheres of influence He has given to us.
The results are not in the hands of the messenger, but in the divine Author who draws people to Himself through His message (Rom. 1:16-17; 10:17).
Challenge:
Do I shrink away from sharing with others for fear of their response?