Bible Passage: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me…Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’” (Ezekiel 33:7; 33:11 NIV)
Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 33:1-20
Most men like to think of themselves as bold. As being able and willing to step up should the situation call for it, not necessarily in a heroic sense, although that may sometimes tickle our fantasies.
But when the weak need to be defended, the fatherless taken care of, or the widow provided for, we want to think that we would do the right thing. Perhaps we would.
To be honest, speaking up is difficult. It is easier to look the other way, allow the inconsequential distraction to our left to draw us away from the need to our right. To accept that it truly is none of our business, and that involvement is just too messy.
Unfortunately, that may be denying the exact purpose for which we are standing in that place at that time.
In the middle of the book of Ezekiel, God had to remind the prophet what he was to do: Ezekiel needed to step in and up to the task of spreading God’s truth to the Israelites, speak words that would bring them life and avert death.
This is sometimes the role that being a man following God must take on.
We may find ourselves needing to speak truth at our workplaces. We may discover the need to speak truth in our homes to those we love. We may find that those who need to hear our words are our closest of friends. We may even discover that we need to speak the truth to ourselves.
That, my friends, can be terrifying. But take comfort in the knowledge that we are not responsible for the results of our words. We do not bear the burden of correction for those to whom we speak (unless, of course, it is to ourselves).
Ezekiel was called to speak, to share God’s message with Israel so that they might change their ways and live. Whether they heeded his words or not was not his to own.
Men, we are in Ezekiel’s place. We are called to speak where and when necessary. Being faithful to the call is our responsibility. May we speak truth with grace and courage.
Prayer: God, it is not always easy to speak up. Help me have the boldness I need to speak truth when it is needed. Amen.
Reflection: Who needs to hear truth from you today?
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