Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Co 1:2). Amen.
Both words are important and instructive—“public ministry.”
The adjective—public: It is in the sense of “on behalf of” and “in the name of.”
The noun—ministry: It signifies service.
That describes those who go out from God and for God—a service on behalf of and in the name of a group of individuals. It is not on their own or by themselves. There is a call. And God is behind the message and the messenger.
We celebrate it with pastors, for example. And we see it with prophets—like Ezekiel. The Sovereign Lord sends his spokesmen—speaking to them and speaking through them. We read from …
Ezekiel 2:1-5
Dear People of God who proclaims his Word through his workers,
There are plenty of prophets in the Bible—both in the Old Testament and the New (He 1:1). You don’t have to think very hard to come up with a name or two. Often the book bears their name—Jeremiah or Daniel, Joel or Obadiah. There are others too like Elijah and Elisha who were significant in Israel’s history.
But what is a prophet? We often think of someone who tells the future. But there is more to it. My definition is “one who speaks God’s Word to God’s people.” A spokesman. God calls them and communicates through them. It is his initiative and idea.
The Sovereign LORD Sends His Spokesmen
1. Speaking to them (1,2)
2. Speaking through them (3-5)
1. Speaking to them (1,2)
“Who said so?” That plays out all the time—between siblings and coworkers. It is not just what is said—“time to eat supper” or “time to get busy,” but who said it—a parent or a boss. If one is going to represent another correctly, he has to listen to him carefully so that the statement is clear. The Sovereign Lord sends his spokesmen—speaking to them.
That is what happened with Ezekiel. He had been in Babylon for a few years when the Lord came calling. That is because King Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed Jerusalem and deported many far from their homeland. But God had not forgotten them. He had something to convey to his people. That was the job of his prophet Ezekiel.
Before sending him, God speaks to him. And he appears in an impressive way—a marvelous vision. Ezekiel observed four living creatures. Each had four faces—the face of a man, lion, ox, and eagle. Above them in a vast expanse was a fiery-looking throne on which was seated “a figure like that of a man” (Eze 1:26). Ezekiel did what we would do—a face plant. (And not like when we fall off of our bike or trip on the sidewalk.) But his nose was on the ground before the glory of the Lord (Eze 1:28).
But that is not really conducive to conversing. You might contend the same: “Look at me when I am talking to you.” “He said to me, ‘Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you’” (Eze 2:1). The Lord addresses him that way frequently throughout the 48 chapters in our Bibles (93 times!). He is calling to mind the fact that Ezekiel is a man and he is God. That is obvious. But there is a big difference between Ezekiel’s sinful humanity and God’s striking holiness. But Ezekiel was to be attentive like a soldier snapping to attention before his superior—ready to receive his orders.
Ezekiel got some much-needed help. This was too important to miss. [Slide 10] “As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me” (Eze 2:2). It is interesting that the name “Ezekiel” means “God strengthens.” He was doing just that.
That is an important reminder for God’s spokesmen—both for the one who serves and the ones served. There is no room for pride in the ministry—in one’s wisdom or wit, smarts or savvy. No individual is the Savior. There is only One who is in that category—Jesus. A spokesman is feeble and frail. And he has to be fair. Like the author of a psalm, he asks: “If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?” (Ps 130:3). What if God did as good of a job as doctors do with their charts? And he answers—“who can stand?”: no one. Or as we chanted earlier: “Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you” (Ps 143:2). Again, no one.
But the Sovereign Lord stands his messengers on their feet and supports them with a message of the sending away of sin (Ps 130:4). First for them. It is not because of their charisma, but of God’s character. He is merciful. Every day. The psalmist also captured that thought: “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love” (Ps 143:8). It is morning. And those mercies are new every morning (La 3:22).
The spokesman of God goes forward with that—comforted and courageous. The apostle Paul highlighted that. Whatever his “thorn in [his] flesh” was (he is not specific), it was painful (2 Co 12:7). But it caused him to look to the Lord and lean on him. He heard God’s promise: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Co 12:9). So Paul could not keep silent: “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Co 12:10). The Sovereign Lord sends his spokesmen—prophets, Paul, pastors—speaking to them a word of pardon for them. They preach God’s grace to themselves first.
2. Speaking through them (3-5)
“Who said so?” Once a brother or colleague understands the authority behind the call to the dinner table or the concern about the work ethic, there might be a willingness to act. God endorses his prophets and then encourages them to go. The Sovereign Lord sends his spokesmen speaking through them.
Ezekiel’s efforts were not going to be easy. That is quite a way to begin. That would be like a coach starting his pregame speech with: “Tonight’s starting pitcher hasn’t given up a hit in 14 years, but let’s step in the batter’s box and swing away.” What? “Son of man [The second time that God labels him that.], I am sending you to the Israelites” (Eze 2:3). Ezekiel was going on an official mission and for an important purpose. But consider the audience:
“a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me” (Eze 2:3). There was ongoing resistance to God’s authority. This is not the stereotypical teenager who won’t obey because he knows better. Not only had they failed to keep the law, there was also the worship of other gods. So much for the covenant with God. That is why the Lord was disciplining them in their new home in a foreign country—a judgment on their sin.
“they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day” (Eze 2:3). It was a generational problem—a learned behavior. They had broken the relationship with the Lord with open defiance. It is not just a matter of “why?,” but “why not.”
Do you think that Ezekiel was raising his hand for the assignment? “I am more than happy to sign up for that.” No one asks for the nasty chores around the house. (I will let you use your imagination.)
And then there is more (as if that wasn’t enough). Imagine pushing a standup comedian on stage with: “They are cranky and crabby. They have raw vegetables and ripe fruit with good arms and great aim.
“The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate” (Eze 2:4). Really, “hard of face.” They were shameless almost as if they stood with arms crossed.
“and stubborn” (Eze 2:4). Literally, “hard-hearted.” Like a rock, they weren’t going to change.
And yet God wanted them back. So he sent his spokesman—speaking through him. It had nothing to do with Ezekiel’s whims or wishes. “Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says’” (Eze 2:4). “So declares the One who is the Master of all who is serious about his threats as his guarantees.” He would mention their guilt before God but also the Messiah from God.
The reactions would be one of two—neither of which Ezekiel could control: “whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious house” (one more description of their disobedience) (Eze 2:5). They could open their ears in acceptance and recognition or close their hearts in reluctance and opposition. They might take note; they might not. That wasn’t Ezekiel’s business. But there was this reality: “They will know that a prophet has been among them” (Eze 2:5). They would have that personal experience without a probable excuse.
That is how it was in Nazareth when Jesus came to town, teaching in the synagogue. They couldn’t get past their familiarity with Jesus’ family. And the sad report: “And they took offense at him” (Mk 6:3). They stumbled into the deathtrap of unbelief with the notion, “It’s just Jesus. No big deal.” There were some who did believe in him and bring their sick to him. But in general, many, if not most, snubbed him.
The results are still the same: People can reject or refuse God’s spokesman because he has flaws or faults. They might not like what he asserts—whether it comes to the gift of marriage or the use of the tongue. But “This is what the Sovereign LORD says” (Eze 2:4). Or one can rejoice because God’s representative brings forgiveness and freedom. They might love what he affirms. “This is what the Sovereign LORD says” (Eze 2:4). Jesus’ empty cross cancels guilt and open tomb confirms life. God’s Word has that power and purpose to give life (Ro 1:16; Is 55:10,11). The Sovereign Lord sends his spokesmen—speaking through them second.
It was almost 7 years to the day that you called me to be your pastor. It was not directly from God, but directed by God. That has always been the case with prophets—known or unknown, from Amos to Agabus (Amos 7:15; Acts 11:28). They are mouthpieces—those who speak God’s Word to God’s people. The Sovereign Lord sends his spokesmen for public ministry—service on behalf of and in the name of a congregation. But as he dispatches, he does it speaking to his spokesman—cleansing him from sin. And then God speaks through his spokesman—calling to the Savior. Such a one hears for himself and is helpful for you. Together we turn to and trust in the Sovereign Lord. Amen.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Co 13:14). Amen.
July 8, 2018
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