A theme often repeated throughout scripture is people who spoke the truth were ignored. God sent many prophets to warn His people of coming judgment for their sin, yet many who heard the truth did not engage with it. We might assume all who heard God's Word were scorners or mockers, but a passage in Ezekiel shows this is not always the case. People flocked to hear the prophet Ezekiel share and complimented his discourse and delivery, but God's words did not actually impact their faith or practices. They listed to Ezekiel because it pleased and profited them in some way, but not with intent to please God.
Ezekiel 33:31-33 reads, "So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. 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. 33 And when this comes to pass--surely it will come--then they will know that a prophet has been among them." God had remarkable insight into the hearts of people and discerned the motives behind their words and deeds. We look on the outside, but God looks at the heart. It is always sad for a preacher to see people drowsy during a message, nodding off whilst fighting sleep. He is glad to see people bright and energetic, taking notes, and later even rehearsing aspects of the message for further discussion.
Ezekiel's hearers were the second kind, attentive like a music lover enjoying his favourite band live. They were compared to a man whose foot tapped in rhythm and quietly sang along with words he memorised. He owned every album, recognised the melodies, and even knew the backstory behind the lyrics of particular tunes. But just like listening to music cannot fundamentally change a person, hearing the word of God made no impact without faith and obedience. This is really challenging for me to consider: when I read or hear God's Word do I take action to heed and obey it? Or am I only pursuing my own gain? Some people like rap or metal, others folk music or country: do I enjoy being taught the scripture because it is a personal preference or because I want to honour God and be transformed?
Jesus spoke of the wise and foolish who heard His words. Both wise and foolish heard His words, but the wise were those who ordered their lives in obedience to them. Rather than being a pastor who wonders if his hearers obey the Word of God, I need to realise my natural tendency is to be a hearer but not a doer. Ezekiel had no control over the kind of listeners who assembled, but he was responsible before God to be both a hearer and doer of God's Word, to not just "show much love" with words but to love God and people from the heart. I am not responsible for the responses of other people, and ensuring my response to God's Word in humility, repentance, and obedience is key. When an instrument is out of tune it is not pleasing to the discerning ear of the musician or audience, and if we hear God's Word yet do not change accordingly our lives resemble a clanging cymbal out of time.
James 1:19-25 says, "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 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." Hearing is important, but hearing without doing brings self-deception. As we behold Christ, let us take steps to live in the way that pleases Him. The meek will receive the implanted Word and walk in it, whilst those who only seek a blessing for themselves will find it strangely elusive. If we will pursue Jesus in faith, may we in meekness trust and obey Him.
Ezekiel 33:31-33 reads, "So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. 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. 33 And when this comes to pass--surely it will come--then they will know that a prophet has been among them." God had remarkable insight into the hearts of people and discerned the motives behind their words and deeds. We look on the outside, but God looks at the heart. It is always sad for a preacher to see people drowsy during a message, nodding off whilst fighting sleep. He is glad to see people bright and energetic, taking notes, and later even rehearsing aspects of the message for further discussion.
Ezekiel's hearers were the second kind, attentive like a music lover enjoying his favourite band live. They were compared to a man whose foot tapped in rhythm and quietly sang along with words he memorised. He owned every album, recognised the melodies, and even knew the backstory behind the lyrics of particular tunes. But just like listening to music cannot fundamentally change a person, hearing the word of God made no impact without faith and obedience. This is really challenging for me to consider: when I read or hear God's Word do I take action to heed and obey it? Or am I only pursuing my own gain? Some people like rap or metal, others folk music or country: do I enjoy being taught the scripture because it is a personal preference or because I want to honour God and be transformed?
Jesus spoke of the wise and foolish who heard His words. Both wise and foolish heard His words, but the wise were those who ordered their lives in obedience to them. Rather than being a pastor who wonders if his hearers obey the Word of God, I need to realise my natural tendency is to be a hearer but not a doer. Ezekiel had no control over the kind of listeners who assembled, but he was responsible before God to be both a hearer and doer of God's Word, to not just "show much love" with words but to love God and people from the heart. I am not responsible for the responses of other people, and ensuring my response to God's Word in humility, repentance, and obedience is key. When an instrument is out of tune it is not pleasing to the discerning ear of the musician or audience, and if we hear God's Word yet do not change accordingly our lives resemble a clanging cymbal out of time.
James 1:19-25 says, "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 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." Hearing is important, but hearing without doing brings self-deception. As we behold Christ, let us take steps to live in the way that pleases Him. The meek will receive the implanted Word and walk in it, whilst those who only seek a blessing for themselves will find it strangely elusive. If we will pursue Jesus in faith, may we in meekness trust and obey Him.
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