Ezekiel 2:7

MEN’S TREATMENT OF GOD’S WORD

‘Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.’

Ezekiel 2:7

The office of the prophet was one truly honourable and truly sacred. On the one side he was in communication with the eternal source of truth and righteousness; on the other side he was in communication with his fellow-men, beings with spiritual capacities to receive the truth, and with spiritual faculties to glorify God. Yet it was a difficult, and, as far as men were concerned, often a thankless office; and the prophet needed to be assured, as in this passage, of a Divine presence and sanction.

I. God’s Word is not affected by men’s reception of it.—It is eternal truth; it is clothed with an inherent authority. Even though all mankind should reject it, it stands above all words beside worthy of the regard and honour which it may not meet with.

II. The duty of those who preach God’s Word is irrespective of the treatment they and their message may encounter.—There has never been a period in which the Gospel has not—like the ancient prophetic messages—met with various treatment. When St. Paul preached at Rome, ‘some believed and some believed not.’ Now if the preacher were like a lecturer or a public singer, a caterer for public favour, then it would be right for him to consult the public taste. But he is bound by solemn commission to go among men with the summons, ‘Thus saith the Lord.’

III. Those who hear the Word of God will be judged by the manner in which they receive it.—The rebellious ‘forbear’ to obey; their disobedience will be their condemnation, aggravated by the greatness of their privileges, the preciousness of their opportunities. The submissive and obedient ‘hear,’ i.e. they welcome the truth, they profit by the warnings, they embrace the promises opened up to them by the message of wisdom and mercy. In their case the highest and most benevolent end of Divine communications is answered; they escape condemnation, and they comply with the commandments and enjoy the favour of the Lord and Judge of all. So it is for the preacher of righteousness to proclaim the Divine message; it is for the hearer of the Word to receive it with a clear understanding of his responsibility to Heaven.

Illustration

‘Missionaries who are obliged to rebuke, not only the sins of the ungodly, but the inconsistencies of their own converts; ministers at home on whom the burden rests of protesting against popular and fashionable iniquity, or addressing stern words of rebuke to influential but worldly members of their churches; even young clerks or working men whose life is thrown among the godless and profane, and who seem called upon to lodge their solemn warning against words and ways that are not good. Providing these enter their protest lovingly and tenderly, with no thought of their superiority, with no mere desire to wound and annoy, but to warn the sinner and to uphold the claims of Christ—their mission is a very salutary and necessary one. But it is sure to bring on them a storm of dislike. At such times there is nothing for us but to abide in the presence of our Master Christ, weeping for the sins we rebuke, interceding for those who revile. Not fearful nor afraid, not flinching from our duty, but hearing His sweet reassuring voice, saying, “In the world ye shall have tribulation, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. Be not afraid.” ’