People-Pleasing as Rebellion

Ezekiel is to find out later in this book that he must bring the message of woe to the Israelites, or their blood will be on his hands. In verse six God tells Ezekiel three times not to be afraid of those to whom he will be speaking, and once not to be discouraged by their faces. The commands not to be afraid imply that God will give Ezekiel the strength to avoid fear. God acknowledges the challenges before Ezekiel, but lays out a choice before him: Ezekiel can 1) side with the rebels, or 2) side with God.

The message that God passes to Ezekiel is not a happy one, but that makes sense. God’s words to a rebellious house will always have sting to them. This scroll was so filled with woe that it had writing on the front and the back sides. Ezekiel would have plenty of material with which to attack the Israelites, and they would in turn have plenty of material to be angry about.

People-pleasing is rebellion, then. Of course, it is right to try to please people, but to be a people-pleaser rather than a God-pleaser is an act of defiance against God. God knows that people may not understand or accept our words of truth spoken in love, but as it concerns us, he doesn’t care. Our job is to speak the message God has given us, even if we know it will be unpopular. When we have a word from the Lord, we must subject ourselves to the disapproving faces of people rather than the disapproving face of God.

[2:6] And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them, and of their words do not be afraid, for [it is] thorns and briers with you and you are dwelling among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words, and do not be dismayed from their faces, for they [are] a house of rebellion. [7] Speak my words to them whether they listen or they cease, for they are rebellious. [8] And you, son of man, hear what I am speaking to you. Do not be rebellious like the house of rebellion. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving to you. [9] And I looked, and behold, a hand [was] being extended to me. And behold, in it [was] a roll of writing. [10] And he spread it out before me, and it had been written upon, front and back. And lamentations and mourning and woe [were] written upon it.