Ezekiel 3:9
As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
God made the forehead like adamant harder than flint, making firm and strong to stand against opposition, steadfast and fearless with inflexible determination and undaunted courage. The strengthening was to meet a rebellious house, even Israel, impudent and hardhearted, hostile and rebellious against God, refusing to hear His message. Their looks were defiant and hostile and threatening, meant to intimidate.
The command not to fear them nor be dismayed at their looks means to deliver God's words without intimidation, fear, discouragement, or dismay. He was to speak God's words to them whether they would hear or whether they would refuse to hear, speaking courageously in carrying out God's work. So strengthened, he presses forward as long as life continues, with the fires of martyrdom blazing around him only quickening his zeal to greater intensity. With the tyrant's axe held menacingly over his head he stands his ground, fearing not the face of man, striking sturdy blows on the right hand and on the left to demolish idolatry.
What was done for Ezekiel is done for His workers, making them firm and fearless before opposition. They are to put entire dependence upon Him as instructor, guide, strength and efficiency, instead of depending on men, human authority and human control, trusting Him fully and magnifying Him alone. Every worker holding the truth in righteousness is to stand at his post of duty and act his part for this time as a living human agent. God in His providence is preparing the way and working through human agencies, having need of every such agency and uniting heavenly and human agencies as in the taking of Jericho, while arranging the work so no credit goes to man and God alone is glorified and magnified. Standing in view of the cross of Calvary, workers thus strengthened are to proclaim Christ and the third angel's message to the world with power and glory.
The verse applies at the present time to those who have set themselves decidedly against the messages of the Lord, and its words are to be brought before the people. It shows the Lord will deal with His people now as He dealt with them in the past. So the message was held back at Melrose because many there did not know their true condition before God, with hearts and minds filled with doubt and unbelief and many lost in fog.