NOTE: I am non-paid, non-pastoral layperson
Ezekiel 2:1-3:11, 27 (NIV, Re-imagined for Evangelism)
2:1 He said to me, “Disciple of Christ, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” 2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.
3 He said: “Disciple of Christ, I am sending you to the Americans, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they have been in revolt against me for many years. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, “Believe in God’s Gift of Salvation.” 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that an Offer has been Made to them. 6 And you, Disciple of Christ, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though secular humanists are all around you and you live among know-it-alls. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. 7 You must speak of My Gift of Salvation to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, Disciple of Christ, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you.”
9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a computer printout, 10 which he unfolded before me. On all pages of it were written words of Grace and Forgiveness and Love.
3:1 And he said to me, “Disciple of Christ, eat what is before you, eat this printout; then go and speak to the people of America.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the printout to eat.
3 Then he said to me, “Disciple of Christ, eat this printout I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So, I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.
4 He then said to me: “Disciple of Christ, go now to the people of America and speak my Saving Grace to them. 5 You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and strange language, but to the people of America— 6 not to many peoples of obscure speech and strange language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you. 7 But the people of America are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for many Americans are hardened and obstinate. 8 But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. 9 I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.”
10 And he said to me, “Disciple of Christ, listen carefully and take to heart all the Grace I speak to you. 11 Go now to your people of unbelief and speak to them. Say to them, ‘This is the Gift of God’s Forgiveness,’ whether they listen or fail to listen.”
27 But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall share with them, “Believe in God’s Gift of Salvation.” Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people.
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Questions from a friend relative to the post above.
Q: Do you believe that the OT prophet stuff was meant for only the Jews, or did it apply to everyone, currently living at the time it was uttered, and for infinity thereafter? Or maybe is it necessary to use the OT context to determine which?
A: I believe God shows each person special parts of the Bible meant to help explain His Tasks for each one. That is why different people have different life verses. Whatever He Gives each one, whether Old or New, is alive and active in that person’s life.
Q: Perhaps the reason that you feel that your work has come to [nothing], is due to your expecting your words to generate some sort of feedback. Is Ezekiel 3 not about him speaking what God has given him, regardless of whether people choose to acknowledge it or not?
A: Ezekiel 3:27, applied to Evangelism may change to perception of Evangelists being obnoxious. 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, NIV)