Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads.
God makes His messenger's face strong against their faces and his forehead strong against their foreheads, making him firm and resolute as adamant harder than flint to stand against the rebellious, impudent and hardhearted house of Israel he was sent to warn. This strengthening keeps him from fearing them or being dismayed at their looks, resistance, hostile looks and opposition as he delivers God's message. It is given because Israel will not hearken to the prophet, for they will not hearken to God. Thus enabled, he can faithfully deliver God's words whether they listen or refuse.
God equips His messengers to carry out their appointed duty while requiring them to depend entirely on Him, with human agents to act in their work while He is the instructor and the source of power. He equips His servants to stand firm in carrying out their duty while depending wholly on Him for guidance and strength. His work is not to be controlled by human power or credited to human agents, for He directs the work and is to receive the glory.
The verse applies at the present time to those who have set themselves decidedly against the messages of the Lord, showing that God deals with His people now as He dealt with them in the past. Its words are to be brought before the people even when many do not know their true condition before God, when hearts and minds are filled with doubt and unbelief and many are lost in fog.
God makes His messenger's face strong against their faces and his forehead strong against their foreheads, making him firm and resolute as adamant harder than flint to stand against the rebellious, impudent and hardhearted house of Israel he was sent to warn. This strengthening keeps him from fearing them or being dismayed at their looks, resistance, hostile looks and opposition as he delivers God's message. It is given because Israel will not hearken to the prophet, for they will not hearken to God. Thus enabled, he can faithfully deliver God's words whether they listen or refuse.
God equips His messengers to carry out their appointed duty while requiring them to depend entirely on Him, with human agents to act in their work while He is the instructor and the source of power. He equips His servants to stand firm in carrying out their duty while depending wholly on Him for guidance and strength. His work is not to be controlled by human power or credited to human agents, for He directs the work and is to receive the glory.
The verse applies at the present time to those who have set themselves decidedly against the messages of the Lord, showing that God deals with His people now as He dealt with them in the past. Its words are to be brought before the people even when many do not know their true condition before God, when hearts and minds are filled with doubt and unbelief and many are lost in fog.