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Sweetness
No prophet ever carried a warm, well received message that was welcomed by its recipients. Each messenger brought the judgment of God against the people to whom the prophecy was given. Typically, once the condemnation was pronounced, a little glimpse of hope was given. Such is also the case with Ezekiel. As a matter of fact, God
even told him that the message which he would go to deliver would not be received at all in Ezekiel chapter three verse seven:
“But the house of Israel will
not hearken unto you; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are
impudent and hardhearted.”
Why is it that most people reject the word of God while to others, such as Ezekiel himself, it is a pleasurable thing? In reference to the word of God, Ezekiel says “…it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.” (Ezekiel 3:3). But Ezekiel is not alone in his love and appreciation for the word of God. King David more than once said “my delight is in the law of the Lord” (Psalm 40:8). Moreover, such an attitude is not only found by persons under the Old Covenant; for the apostle Paul himself
is recorded as saying “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man.” (Romans 7:22). Why are there two such diametrically opposed attitudes concerning the word of God? It all ‘boils down’ to each individual’s love for God-inspired truth. 2nd Thessalonians 2:10-12 shows this to be true: “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness
in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved…That they all
might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
While it is true that God is not one who is an outright respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), He does accept those that fear Him and work righteousness (Acts 10:35). God clearly draws the line between
the righteous and the unrighteous, between the obedient and the disobedient; and our attitude toward His will is the determining
factor. Why love the word of God? Because
it will be that which judges all creation in the last day (John 12:48)! Is His message sweetness or bitterness
to you?
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