I study the life of prophets. I want to know what they went through when called to deliver a challenging word to God’s people. This is the territory where a prophetic gift is released and is either accepted or rejected. Humility must take the reins of our will if this is our calling or we will not speak with the heart and love of God.

When a difficult word is to be shared by a prophet of God, they may experience a time of isolation before they are told to speak. The life of Ezekiel is an example of this isolation. “The Spirit lifted me and took me away. I went in bitterness and turmoil, but the Lord’s hold on me was strong. Then I came to the colony of Judean exiles in Tel-Abib, beside the Kebar River. I was overwhelmed and sat among them for seven days” (Ezekiel 3:14-15). Ezekial sat among them in silence. The Lord wanted Ezekiel to feel what life in rebellion to God felt like before he opened his mouth and spoke in the name of the Lord.

God determines the duration of prophetic isolation. “After seven days, the Lord gave me a message” (vs. 16). Isolation and its intended purpose are where a prophet waits to hear the message the Lord wants them to deliver. A time of isolation and the range of emotions we will experience in that isolation prepares us to hear the word of the Lord.  It reveals a purpose for both the kind of message and the timing of its delivery. 

At the end of a week of silence, the Lord finally spoke to Ezekiel, “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me warn the people immediately” (vs. 17).

 There is a personal consequence for those who need to hear the word of the Lord and for the prophet who has heard the word but chooses to remain silent out of fear. “But if you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths” (vs. 18). Every sin God wants to correct has a consequence, for both the hearer and the prophet. A prophetic message will deliver these consequences to the hearers, unvarnished. This is never a joyful moment for a prophet if their heart is aligned with God. It is raw obedience.

We are on the cusp of an abundance of prophetic warnings that will be released to the Church. This Lord is clarifying and rearranging His people to align with the assignment He has for them as we enter the new year. Some of you will be called, in love, to speak God’s truth to His people. If this is your assignment execute its mission with great humility and swift obedience. There is much at stake.