People in rebellion can neither see nor hear God.
Ezekiel 12:2 – You dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear, for they are a rebellious house.
When the first Soviet cosmonaut went into outer space, he declared that he did not see God evidenced anywhere. When the first American astronaut went into space, he declared that he saw God evidence everywhere. Why the difference?
God warned Ezekiel that the people of his day were stuck in their sinful conduct, refusing to take responsibility for their actions, seemingly because they didn’t know any better. Their eyes had not informed them nor had their ears about the things of God. Therefore, anything that Ezekiel would tell them was promised to fall upon their deaf ears.
In Matthew 17:17, Jesus faced a similar culture. “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?” Other versions call them a “wicked and perverse generation.” In Acts 2:40, Peter referred to “this perverse generation” from which people must be saved. With many of his parables, Jesus added, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” as in Matthew 11:15.
Even though the people were in a dire condition, God told Ezekiel to bring them a message. Jesus would later send his disciples out like “sheep among wolves,” to declare His message of salvation. Rebellion never ends well, and judgment can be harsh. Your work is to be obedient to the call God has placed upon your life, even in the midst of a twisted, faithless, rebellious and wicked generation.
Pray With Us
Dear Lord God, it must break Your heart to see Your creation moving away from You in so many respects. Have they been conditioned not to see or hear You and Your Word? Or, having eyes, will they just not look? Either way, Father, help me to look upon them with the love that You have, and to leave judgment in Your hands. Encourage me to be faithful and obedient to what You have asked me to do, for it is my desire to please You. Thank You for loving me and for hearing my prayers,
Amen.
