7/2/26

Some people can be told and they will learn from what they hear or read. Yet others need to see it happen, to learn. They must be shown. They are visual learners. Yet others still, have to do it for themselves, to learn. God throughout Scripture teaches in each of these ways. He used Ezekiel to teach in all these ways, in our text today. This was extremely hard for the prophet, but as we will see, God leaves no one out, when it comes to sharing His righteous desire for humanity.

Because they refuse, they face an eternity in exile from the Lord. Since God doesn't want this for His creation, He is preparing a temporary exile, as a last resort to teach them.

Ezekiel 12:2-3 NASB95 “Son of man, you live in the midst of the rebellious house, who have eyes to see but do not see, ears to hear but do not hear; for they are a rebellious house. “Therefore, son of man, prepare for yourself baggage for exile and go into exile by day in their sight; even go into exile from your place to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand though they are a rebellious house.

God tells Ezekiel that he lives in a rebellious house. Maybe you feel this way. God is not speaking just of the home, but also of Israel, the nation in which He lives. Do you feel like your house is rebellious? Your family refuses to live for God. Do you feel like your friends are rebellious? The people that you hang out with refuse to live for God. Do you feel like your coworkers are rebellious? The people you work with refuse to live for God. Do you feel like your neighbors, your city, your state, and your nation are rebellious? They refuse to live for God.

If any of these are true, and you desire to be a Christ follower in your life, then you are like Ezekiel.

God says to him. These people "have eyes to see but do not see, ears to hear but do not hear; for they are a rebellious house."

Notice they have everything needed to learn and understand what God is teaching, but they refuse. So He is sending Ezekiel to attempt to reach them another time.

He very well could be doing the same with you. God tells Ezekiel to "prepare for yourself baggage for exile and go into exile by day in their sight; even go into exile from your place to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand." Notice God is using Ezekiel to live out and show them what will happen to them if they refuse to repent and follow God.

Later God tells Ezekiel to tell them. Ezekiel 12:11 NASB95 “Say, ‘I am a sign to you. As I have done, so it will be done to them; they will go into exile, into captivity.’

God has used Ezekiel, to teach them in two different ways. However, God reminds Ezekiel that although you will teach in these different ways they are in fact "a rebellious house." So, in the end He takes them into His temporary exile. Ezekiel 12:28 NASB95 “Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “None of My words will be delayed any longer. Whatever word I speak will be performed,”’” declares the Lord GOD.

What can we learn from these verses? God uses us to teach in every way possible. This is so everyone has every chance to repent. He also reveals to us that we will often go through tribulation now, to hopefully keep others from going through eternal torture later. Last He reveals to us that even if we are completely obedient, some will refuse to learn the lesson. This is because we live in a rebellious house. It isn't for us to force them to repent, it is only for us to show them, in every way possible, the need for them to repent and turn to God.

This was hard on the prophet during his time on earth. However, he has been for approximately 2600 years, and is still being, blessed for his willingness to be obedient in a rebellious house.

We must do the same.

Love Bro. Scott