Ezekiel 3 reminds me of the old expression, “You are what you eat”. Most people today associate that phrase with a healthy diet being the foundation for good health. There is a similar relationship to what we take into our mind impacting our outlook on life. That is, you are what you watch and what you read as well. In today’s chapter, the prophet is becoming fit for service to God. I believe it is very clear that God’s training regimen begins with what you take in. The chapter begins, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel“. What was Ezekiel’s breakfast of champions? “So I opened my mouth, and He gave me the scroll to eat“. Note, he is told “fill your stomach with it“. That means there was no room left for junk. I can say for myself, when I first accepted Christ as my Savior, I completely changed what I consumed. I purged much from my life and filled my eyes and ears with the study of God’s Word. He adds, “So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth“. AFTER he changed his input, it changed his outlook and output. “Go now to the people of Israel and speak My words to them“. With his new understanding he was sent as a missionary to his own people. “You are not being sent to a people of… strange language, but to the people of Israel“.
He does not go unprepared, “But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to Me“. God changes him from the inside-out, “I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are“. He is being prepared for action. We get our picture on the cereal box for what we accomplish, not what we eat! God gives him instruction, “listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you… Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says’“. Friend, if you want to know what the Lord says, then go right to the source. Be careful of any man that says ‘listen to me, I have unique understanding”. God’s Word in context is the best commentary.
For the rest of the chapter, God places Ezekiel into specific situation; Ezekiel understood the challenges, “I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit… I came to the exiles… I sat among them for seven days deeply distressed“. God’s people did not know the God who set them apart for His purposes. Ezekiel must point out their failings, “warn them… dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life“. God says, if you do not speak the truth “I will hold you accountable for their blood“. On the other hand, if he does speak God’s truth, “they will surely live because they took warning and you will have saved yourself“.God does not hold him accountable for the change, only for speaking God’s Word. When men restrain him from speaking, “you will be silent and unable to rebuke them… But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth“. The chapter closes with a reminder that God gives us free will, “Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people“. Even Jesus told the disciples, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet” (Matthew 10:14). Friend, take a look in the mirror, is it time to change your diet? You are what you eat.