Sunday, October 20 The house of Israel will refuse to listen to you.​—Ezek. 3:7.

[Áine]

Sunday, October 20

The house of Israel will refuse to listen to you.—Ezek. 3:7.

 

God’s spirit strengthened Ezekiel for the task of preaching to the “hardheaded and hardhearted” people in his territory. Jehovah told Ezekiel: “I have made your face exactly as hard as their faces and your forehead exactly as hard as their foreheads. I have made your forehead like a diamond, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or be terrified by their faces.” (Ezek. 3:8, 9) In effect, Jehovah told Ezekiel: ‘Do not let the people’s stubbornness discourage you. I will fortify you.’ Thereafter, God’s spirit carried Ezekiel along in his preaching territory. “The hand of Jehovah rested strongly on me,” wrote Ezekiel. It took the prophet a week to absorb the message that he had to deliver. (Ezek. 3:14, 15) Then Jehovah directed him to a valley plain where “spirit entered into [him].” (Ezek. 3:23, 24) Ezekiel was ready to begin his ministry. w22.11 4-5 ¶8-9