Since we have observed many practical lessons from the twenty-fourth & twenty-fifth books of the Bible, let us now move on to the twenty-sixth book, Ezekiel.

1. EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO HEAR THE TRUTH.
Ezekiel 2:4,5 - "For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.' As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse--for they are a rebellious house--yet they will know that a prophet has been among them."

Ezekiel would deliver God's message regardless of how it was received. The people would know a prophet from God had been among them. They wouldn't have any excuse come Judgment Day! Today, in an effort to save some, we must share the gospel freely via any means available, even if most rebel against the truth. Our neighbors, our co-workers, & our communities need to have a chance to hear the gospel. They need to know that there are Christians among them.

2. DIRTY LOOKS & MEAN WORDS CANNOT KILL.
Ezekiel 2:6 - "And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house."

Don't be afraid to share God's word regardless of the rebellious nature of people. Ultimately, dirty looks and mean words cannot kill. And even if a Christian did lose his life for the sake of gospel, such is not to be feared (cf. Matt. 10:28; 16:25).

3. PREACHERS BECOME REBELS THEMSELVES WHEN THEY FAIL TO DIGEST & PREACH GOD'S TRUTH.
Ezekiel 2:8-3:1 - "'But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.' Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. Then He spread it before me; and there was writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe. Moreover He said to me, 'Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.'"

Those who would proclaim God's word must first consume it, digest it, and apply it in their own lives. Then they are prepared to share it with others.

4. DELIVERING GOD'S WORD IS A MATTER OF LIFE & DEATH FOR BOTH PARTIES.
Ezekiel 3:17-21:

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul."

This is a serious message we should consider today. Those who are watchmen today have the same duty that Ezekiel did: namely, to issue appropriate warnings from God's word, knowing that negligence will come back upon oneself. Do not worry about results; may your focus be upon fidelity to the Almighty and His word.