The role and responsibility of God's Representative

Read Ezekiel 3.

You cannot give what you do not possess.  Before Ezekiel could serve as God's spokesperson he had to consume God's written word.  In the symbolic eating of it, the Scriptures tasted sweet.  Other writers made the same observation.  David wrote, "More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb." (Psalm 19:10)

His calling was to a specific target audience.  The LORD sent him to minister to those taken captive, exiled in Babylon.  It was a hard message he was to deliver to some hard hearts.  God encouraged him a third time by saying, "Fear them not, nor be dismayed" (v.9).  But even with a tough crowd, God made Ezekiel just as tough as they were.  Indeed, Ezekiel's name in Hebrew means "God will strengthen" or "God will harden."  The hardness here refers to the determination that will be required for this assignment.  A thin skinned person would not be fit for the job.

Next, if Ezekiel was to represent God, he had to see and feel what God saw and felt.  The sound and sight of the mobile throne appeared again.  This time the Holy Spirit said, "Get in."  The experience overwhelmed him.

His role.
As God's prophet, he served like a "watchman."  When God gave warning, Ezekiel was to sound the alarm and warn the people.  He would be held accountable for listening to God and speaking God's message to them.

His responsibility.
He was not held accountable for the way the people responded to God's message.  The people were individually and personally accountable for their response to what the LORD said.

Believers in Jesus have been commissioned as ambassadors for Christ and given the message of reconciling people back to God.  As the Apostle Paul wrote, "We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20)