Taking Words to God: The Character of Acceptable Prayer

Ezekiel's command—"Take with you words, and turn to the Lord"—establishes how penitent Israel must approach Elohim. Joseph S. Exell, the Victorian homiletic scholar, identified two essential truths within this summons. First, the prayer reveals who may draw near: sinners alone, stripped of pretense, acknowledging absolute dependence. The prophet himself furnishes the acceptable words, making this petition divinely endorsed—no fabrication of human eloquence. Second, the invocation "Receive us graciously" unveils the Savior's mediation; God's grace manifests through Him, not through human worthiness.

Exell distinguished Israel's besetting evil: they sought aid from neighboring heathen nations rather than trusting Adonai in distress. The modern reader recognizes this same temptation—relying upon earthly means while neglecting to orient the heart toward the Most High. True repentance demands full, thorough, constant conversion with a whole, fixed, rooted heart.

The method of restitution requires deliberate preparation. "Take unto you words" commands serious pondering and choosing of requests. This preparation operates at three levels: purity of life (preparation of persons), thoughtful selection of matter (preparation of services), and honest examination of the heart's condition (preparation of hearts). Dr. Thorpe observed that when Israel turns in repentance to Yahweh, strength emerges to abandon sin. The blessing once lost through judgment—Ephraim's fruitfulness—becomes recoverable through sincere petition and obedient return.