Does the LORD take pleasure in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give Him my firstborn for my wrongdoings, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, mortal one, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:7-8)

In this chapter, the refugees from Jerusalem come to Ezekiel and tell him that Jerusalem has been destroyed. Then Ezekiel’s muteness finally stops.

In the book of Nehemiah and of Ezra, the Israelites confess that they have been wicked and appear to have repented of their sins. But the book of Malachi shows that their repentance was only in appearance. God was still displeased with them. Many Christians interpret that all we need is devotion, will, and efforts to keep the Law. But it is wrong. No one, even Adam and Eve, can keep God’s commands inside and out. It may appear that our salvation depends on our works, but good works are the results of the union with Christ through the Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches us that the everlasting father-son relationship exists only between the Father and the Son. And we can become the adopted children of God only through the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Son keeps the Father’s commands inside and out because He has the Spirit and is one with the Father. It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to know God, love Him, and keep His commands. And God gives the Holy Spirit whomever He wishes to according to the plans He made before the time began. Everyone is dead because of Adam’s rebellion. None of us can earn grace by works. God made the world to build His Kingdom, His chosen people. Righteousness does not come from works. Rather, the works show our righteousness that comes from God. Christ’s righteousness is the Father’s righteousness. We are clothed with such righteousness that cannot be removed. The only righteous God can make us righteous through what the Son did by the Holy Spirit. And the Son sent the Holy Spirit to us and made us believe in Him. This is not a hard teaching. God wants us to have faith in Him. Faith is a gift from God. It is a free gift. No one can earn it.

Ezekiel was made a watchman as we read Ezekiel 3:17-19. His job is not to persuade people to repent. His job is to blow the trumpet. Is it possible that God’s people refuse to become watchmen? It is impossible to refuse the task because of the Holy Spirit.

Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brothers and sisters who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10)

The Holy Spirit is given to God’s elect people so that we believe in Him and are saved. In other words, we are chosen to become the kingdom of God, which God planned before creation. God is faithful and will fulfill everything He planned and spoke.

God tells Ezekiel that many people do not understand God’s words. The people consider the words of God like a sensual song and enjoy listening to them. Yet, they do not practice them. Many Christians go to church on Sundays because they feel holy in the church building. They feel satisfied with music played during worship services. Many people think music is very important. It is because it gives them a sense of holiness or assurance that they are with God. But God knows everyone’s heart. God does not care what kind of music they like because He sees everyone’s heart and judges by what is in their heart. It is better not to use music at all during a worship service. Reading the Psalms or Bible verses is sufficient. God does not care about men-made songs. If you like music more than God’s words, you are not a true Christian. Only the true elect people of God can learn the song that God composed.

And behold, you are to them like a love song by one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; for they hear your words but they do not practice them. So when it comes—as it certainly will—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” (Ezekiel 33:32-33)

And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one was able to learn the song except the 144,000 who had been purchased from the earth. (Revelation 14:3)

On the day of God’s final judgement, those people who did not bear fruit of the Holy Spirit will have no excuse because they did not repent of their sins even though they heard the word of God through the mouths of the prophets. They are proud of their own works and want God to judge them according to their works. So God judges them according to their evil works. The Bible will be the witness because people read them but do not understand God. They do not ask for the Holy Spirit because they think they have Him. They refuse to believe that the Son did everything for them to be the adopted children of God. And they do not understand the works of the Holy Spirit. They mock and kill God’s prophets who tell them truths of God. Therefore, they will have no excuse.