Speak (Ezekiel 2:7)

But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.

Ezekiel 2:7

Ezekiel is one of the more encouraging book openings for those who speak the Word of God. The book begins with more than one reminder that the responsibility for the reception of the message is on the heads of those who hear it. This does not absolve the one tasked with delivering the message — Ezekiel was still responsible for delivering God’s message in the way that God prescribed it be delivered — but it does limit the scope of that responsibility. This verse is encouraging to me on multiple levels.

First, because it encourages me to keep writing these blogs. When I began these, I wrote them exclusively for my own recollection and edification and there were several entries completed before I thought of sharing them with anyone. Even then, they were originally shared as notes on Facebook and then only with my friends. When the transition was made to writing these devotions down as blogs, it was done because a friend wanted to comment in a way that Facebook did not allow. So the entries moved from there to here. I never did go back and migrate the entries that were not included here, but that is probably just as well. None of those was written with the thought that anyone else would ever read them. I am now certain that others read these devotions and equally mindful that the message may not be exclusively for me.

Second, because years ago — so many years I would rather not tally them — I had a recurring nightmare that I understood as me trying to warn those closest to me and them not listening. This verse is a reminder that I am responsible for the warning, not the reception thereof.

Neither of the foregoing pieces of encouragement absolves me of speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), but I am reminded that I may be ignored and I may write words that float around the blue nowhere until God brings them to the person He wants to hear that message in that way. I, personally, have very little to say that is of worth. God’s Word is always valuable and always accomplishes what He intends it to (Isaiah 55:10-11).

This verse encourages me to speak God’s Word in love and not to worry about whether or not people listen. Rebellious people are rebellious. That has nothing to do with me and everything to do with their response to God. But me … I am charged to speak the Truth in love.