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Book of Ezekiel - Chapter 3 - Verse 11

3:11
And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.

Meaning

These verses from the book of Ezekiel are a call to action for the prophet to speak to the people of Israel who are in captivity. The Lord instructs Ezekiel to go to the exiled Israelites and deliver a message from Him, regardless of whether they choose to listen or not. This command shows the importance of sharing God's word with His people, even if the response may not be positive. It emphasizes the role of a prophet as a messenger of God, regardless of the receptiveness of the audience. By conveying God's message to the Israelites in captivity, Ezekiel was following God's plan and fulfilling his duty as a prophet. This verse highlights the need for faithful obedience to God's commands, even in challenging circumstances. Despite the uncertainty of the response, Ezekiel was called to speak the truth and share the word of the Lord with his people who were suffering in captivity.

Theological Overview

In this verse from the book of Ezekiel, the prophet is being instructed by the Lord to go and speak to the Israelites who are in captivity. The phrase "unto the children of thy people" emphasizes that Ezekiel is to deliver this message to his own people, the Israelites who are living in exile. He is to deliver the message of the Lord, regardless of whether or not the people choose to listen. This highlights the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's call, even when the message may not be well received. The phrase "whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear" shows that Ezekiel is being called to deliver the message not based on the response he receives, but on his willingness to obey God's command. This passage serves as a reminder that as messengers of God, our duty is to faithfully proclaim His word, leaving the results in His hands.

American Standard Version

And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.
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