How Jehovah Helps Us Carry Out Our Ministry - EZEKIEL -SENT BY JEHOVAH

 Jehovah told Ezekiel: "I am sending you." (Ezekiel 2:3, 4) Those words must have strengthened Ezekiel. Why? No doubt he recalled that Jehovah had used similar words when He commissioned Moses and Isaiah  as His prophets. (Exodus 3:10; Isaiah 6:8) Ezekiel also knew how Jehovah had helped those two prophets overcome challenges. So when Jehovah told Ezekiel twice: "I am sending you," the prophet had good reason for trusting in Jehovah's support. Further, in the book of Ezekiel, we find this statement  numerous times: "The word of Jehovah came to me." (Ezekiel 3:16)  Moreover, the statement  "The word of  Jehovah again came to me" occurs repeatedly.  (Ezekiel 6:1) Surely Ezekiel was convinced that he was sent by Jehovah. In addition, being the son of a priest, Ezekiel had likely been taught by his father how throughout history Jehovah assured his prophets of His backing.  To Isaac, Jacob, and Jeremiah, Jehovah had spoken the words: "I am with you." - GENESIS 26:24; 28:15; JEREMIAH 1:8.

How would the Israelites in general respond to Ezekiel's preaching?  Jehovah stated: "The house of Israel will refuse to listen to you, for they do not want to listen to me." (Ezekiel 3:7) By rejecting Ezekiel, the people were rejecting Jehovah.  Those words assured Ezekiel that the people's rejection did not mean that he had failed as a prophet. Jehovah also assured Ezekiel that when the judgments he proclaimed came true, the people would "know that a prophet was among them." (Ezekiel 2:5; 33:33) No doubt those comforting thoughts gave Ezekiel the strength he needed to fulfill his ministry.

Next time: How Jehovah Helps Us Carry Out Our Ministry - SENT BY JEHOVAH-TODAY

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