Ezekiel 2 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Ezekiel 2

Ezekiel’s Call

2:1 And he said to me, “Son of man,¹ stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” 2 And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. 4 The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ 5 And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions.² Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. 7 And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.

8 “But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” 9 And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. 10 And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe.

Footnotes

[1] 2:1 Or Son of Adam; so throughout Ezekiel
[2] 2:6 Or on scorpion plants

Commentary

v1: The vision was part of Ezekiel's calling, although it has a much wider relevance. Chapters 2 and 3 describe his calling to be a prophet.

The prophet may have lain there for quite a time before the command to stand up.

v2: Ezekiel heard God speak; his first-hand experience of God. Such a contrast with the lifeless ritual of many Jews in those days.

The Spirit of God entered Him; he was anointed by God, see Jer 1.7-9. It was the Spirit who stood him on his feet when commanded; he could not do this by his own strength.

v3: "I am sending you;"the prophet commissioned by God. Sent to Israel, the rebellious people. In fact the people around Ezekiel were paying the price for their rebellion. There is a contrast with false prophets, whom God has not sent; see chapter 13.

v4: His message, "This is what the Sovereign Lord says."The message of the prophet was the message of God. There was no room for Ezekiel's own ideas; his message comes entirely from God.

The title ‘Sovereign Lord’ is found frequently in this book – a reminder that He is the greatest of all ‘gods,’ and tolerates no rivals.

v5: The testimony, that a prophet from God had been amongst the people. This was true whether of not they obeyed the message.

This verse helps us to understand Is 55.11. The fruit of the message is not always submissive people, as is sometimes implied; it may be a clear and powerful testimony that God was present.

v6-7: The expectation; hardship and rejection, Jer 1.19. The prophet has a responsibility to speak, whatever the reaction of the people. Either they would turn from their sins, or be confirmed in their sins.

Ezekiel is reassured. Three times come the words “do not be afraid.” Whatever difficulty he might face, the promises of God would uphold him. The call from God would separate Ezekiel from his people; in a culture where community was essential, he would appear almost as a traitor.

v8: Do not be like the people. Ezekiel has to eat the word of God, and live out its message. Head knowledge is not sufficient, we must have heart knowledge.

v9-10: The scroll to be eaten, full of lament and mourning and woe; the just reward for the rebellious people. Ezekiel’s task is not easy; he is promised a difficult and challenging ministry.