Many people sought Christ and heard Him gladly, but that was no guarantee they practiced what He preached. Jesus was not the first who endured this treatment, and men continue in this pattern even in our day. The books we read and recommend to others are not necessarily as life changing as they could be. The views we cheer or espouse are not always reflected in our own lives. The pastors we enjoy listening to often go unheeded by us. Agreement or knowledge of right and wrong is not sufficient to transform our lives.
When God put words in the mouth of the prophet Ezekiel, people were interested to hear what he had to say. It was not because they necessarily agreed with or believed him, but they enjoyed discussing and dissecting his remarks. God told the prophet the truth in Ezekiel 33:32, "Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them." If you go to a symphony to hear skilled musicians in an orchestra play Bach or Mozart, it is not because you necessarily agree with the political or moral views of the lead violinist or cellist: you have gone to listen to music you enjoy. Indeed, the personal views of those in the orchestra may be completely contrary to your own! But the music they make can still bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye.
The children of Israel were keen to listen to the "Word of the LORD" from prophets. After hearing it, they would decide for themselves if it was worth heeding or not. In Ezekiel's case, he spoke the truth but it was not believed. He was like a famous musician people came from all over to listen to attentively. They heard his voice, but they did not heed his words. It would be like going to a concert with sound-cancelling headphones on. Many people enjoyed the spectacle, the lights and atmosphere, but they did not heed God's word through the prophet.
Because this tendency is in all people, I realise the hearer who does not do God's Word could be me - and it also can be you. James 1:21-25 provides a timely exhortation for all: "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." Most Christians have a preferred translation of the Bible: are you being transformed by it? We can have our favourite preachers or messages: are you taking intentional steps to put into practice the changes they encourage? Those books which you see fit to keep and read: are they directly impacting your walk with Christ for good?
Let's not be like the children of Israel, prophet connoisseurs who enjoyed the show, were intrigued by new concepts and prophetic fulfillment, but weren't in any way changed by what they heard. Let us put into practice the words we hear from God, for then we will be blessed in what we do.
When God put words in the mouth of the prophet Ezekiel, people were interested to hear what he had to say. It was not because they necessarily agreed with or believed him, but they enjoyed discussing and dissecting his remarks. God told the prophet the truth in Ezekiel 33:32, "Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them." If you go to a symphony to hear skilled musicians in an orchestra play Bach or Mozart, it is not because you necessarily agree with the political or moral views of the lead violinist or cellist: you have gone to listen to music you enjoy. Indeed, the personal views of those in the orchestra may be completely contrary to your own! But the music they make can still bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye.
The children of Israel were keen to listen to the "Word of the LORD" from prophets. After hearing it, they would decide for themselves if it was worth heeding or not. In Ezekiel's case, he spoke the truth but it was not believed. He was like a famous musician people came from all over to listen to attentively. They heard his voice, but they did not heed his words. It would be like going to a concert with sound-cancelling headphones on. Many people enjoyed the spectacle, the lights and atmosphere, but they did not heed God's word through the prophet.
Because this tendency is in all people, I realise the hearer who does not do God's Word could be me - and it also can be you. James 1:21-25 provides a timely exhortation for all: "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." Most Christians have a preferred translation of the Bible: are you being transformed by it? We can have our favourite preachers or messages: are you taking intentional steps to put into practice the changes they encourage? Those books which you see fit to keep and read: are they directly impacting your walk with Christ for good?
Let's not be like the children of Israel, prophet connoisseurs who enjoyed the show, were intrigued by new concepts and prophetic fulfillment, but weren't in any way changed by what they heard. Let us put into practice the words we hear from God, for then we will be blessed in what we do.
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