God called the prophet Ezekiel to speak the truth to his own people, the family of Israel. Hard times had befallen their nation. Ezekiel himself had been taken as a prisoner in 597 BC by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Soon, the capital city would be destroyed, the Temple of Yahweh decimated, and all of Israel taken captive into Babylon (586 BC). The Jews, who believed themselves particularly blessed by the LORD above all nations, needed to hear that their sins, rebellion, and turning away from the LORD had brought national destruction upon them.
But the people of Israel were hard-headed. They would not be willing, according to the LORD, to listen to the prophet (Ezekiel 3:7). In fact, their “foreheads were like flint” (Ezekiel 3:7).
But Ezekiel was to speak the truth anyway, regardless of the peoples’ reception of it. And in the sending of Ezekiel, the LORD made an incredible promise to the prophet.
“I will make your forehead like a diamond, harder than flint. Do not be fear their angy looks or ridicule.” (Ezekiel 3:9).
Not all Christians have the gifts of a prophet. Not all believers are called, like Ezekiel, to go speak the Word of the LORD to a nation. But for those who are, this verse should be an encouragement. The Spirit of the LORD can strengthen the mind of one who speaks God’s truth o be relentless, impenetrable, and protected from the onslaught of ridicule for declaring the LORD’s word and will to a stubborn and obstinate people.
As much as it is an encouragement to the prophets of God, it is also a caution to the people of God.
Nations need men and women unafraid to declare the truth of God. The life of a nation depends on it.
May the LORD make the foreheads of His spokespersons to America like diamonds.
Wade,
https://www.npr.org/2021/02/08/965540518/senate-confirms-denis-mcdonough-to-head-veterans-affairs-department
“Denis McDonough’s decades of experience make him highly qualified for this job. I’m proud the Senate just confirmed him to serve as Pres. Biden’s VA Secretary.”
https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2022/03/14/dozens-of-va-medical-centers-slated-for-closure-total-rebuilds-under-new-infrastructure-plan/
“Thirty-five Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in 21 different states would be closed…”
Wade,
the VA Medical Center that’s in Bonham, Texas (5 miles from my home) is on the list to be closed. We’ve been told we can go to the one in Dallas. I went to Dallas once. At the time it had around 3,000 patients each day. I went there for treatment of cellulous in my ankle. I went in at 3 PM and didn’t get anything to eat until the next day. One doctor ordered X-rays for my ankle, but only my finger got X-rayed. (Too many ‘cooks in the kitchen’.) I was discharge after 3 days and pictures show my ankle was worse than when I went in. Had to pay $1,700.
In my opinion, this is just one more thing that Biden has done to hurt our country.
Wade,
The “Leader” newspaper of Bonham, Texas has a publication of fifteen thousand. It will print today what I wrote above.
I’ve written our Texas Congressman, Tec Cruz about the subject.
Rex Ray,
Bad news about your local VA hospital potentially closing. That’s a shame.