Ezekiel 33:21-33
Ezekiel receives the news of the fall of Jerusalem. The LORD had told him on the first day of the siege how he would hear of it (cf. vv. 21, 22 with Ezekiel 24:25-27). And He is now going to reduce the land to desert because of the pride of those who remain in Judea.
The end of the chapter (vv. 30-33) is most solemn. It shows us that Ezekiel’s words were appreciated: a lovely song; a pleasant voice! Alas! nowhere were they carried out. And it is no doubt for this reason that the prophet had been struck dumb for a time (v. 22); it was a judgment on the people and not on him. For the watchman’s trumpet is not blown so that the tune can be enjoyed. It is to sound the alarm. Woe betide those who fail to heed it!
Is it not the same today? Some so-called Christians seem to listen to the preaching with pleasure . . . but are by no means inclined to put into practice what they are taught. Why is that? It is spiritual dishonesty. The appearance they assume does not correspond with the true state of their heart (end of v. 31; Isaiah 29:13).