Ezekiel Chapter 2
Ezekiel 2
Ezekiel’s Call as a Prophet
Ezekiel 2:1-2, Ezekiel Commanded and Enabled to Stand
Ezekiel 2:1-2, “And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.”
Ezekiel 2 continues directly from the vision of Ezekiel 1. There were no chapter divisions in the original text, so the call of Ezekiel must be understood in light of the glory he had just seen. Ezekiel had seen the living creatures, the wheels, the firmament, the sapphire-like throne, and the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. He fell upon his face. Now the One who sits above the throne speaks to him.
God calls him “Son of man.” This is the first of many times this title is used for Ezekiel. In Ezekiel, the phrase emphasizes his humanity, weakness, and representative status. Ezekiel is a man among men, not a heavenly being, not an angel, and not divine. He is a servant called by the living God.
This title must be distinguished from the way Jesus uses “Son of man” in the Gospels. In Ezekiel, it points to Ezekiel’s humanity. In Daniel 7 and in Christ’s use of the phrase, it points to the divine Messianic figure who receives dominion, glory, and a kingdom.
Daniel 7:13-14, “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven... And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom...”
The LORD commands Ezekiel, “stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.” Ezekiel had rightly fallen before the glory of God, but now God calls him to stand as a servant ready to hear and obey. Reverence before God does not end in passive fear. It leads to commissioned service.
Then the Spirit enters Ezekiel when God speaks and sets him on his feet. This is critical. God commands Ezekiel to stand, but God also gives him the power to stand. The word of God and the Spirit of God work together. Ezekiel does not raise himself by natural strength after seeing divine glory. The Spirit enables him to do what God commands.
The order is beautiful: God speaks, the Spirit enters, Ezekiel stands, and Ezekiel hears. A true servant of God must be humbled by God’s glory, strengthened by God’s Spirit, and governed by God’s word.
Ezekiel 2:3-5, Sent to a Rebellious House
Ezekiel 2:3-5, “And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, for they are a rebellious house, yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.”
God sends Ezekiel to the children of Israel. This includes the exiles already in Babylon and the covenant people still connected to Judah and Jerusalem. Ezekiel’s ministry takes place while Jerusalem still stands, but judgment is near.
The audience is described with severe language. They are “a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me.” Their rebellion is not accidental or temporary. It is generational: “they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.”
God calls them “impudent children and stiffhearted.” Their faces are hard, and their hearts are stubborn. They are not merely confused. They are resistant. They are not merely weak. They are rebellious.
The phrase “rebellious house” becomes one of the repeated descriptions of Israel in Ezekiel. The house that should have been known as the house of Israel is now characterized as the house of rebellion. Privilege without obedience becomes greater guilt.
Ezekiel’s message is simple in its authority: “Thus saith the Lord GOD.” He is not sent to give opinions, motivational speeches, political analysis, or personal advice. He is sent to speak the word of the Lord GOD.
The success of Ezekiel’s ministry will not be measured by popularity. God tells him, “whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.” Some may listen. Many will refuse. Ezekiel is not responsible for controlling their response. He is responsible to speak faithfully.
The result will be that “they shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.” Even if they reject the word, the fulfilled word will prove that God warned them. Their refusal will not make Ezekiel a failure. Their refusal will make them accountable.
This is a major principle of true ministry. Faithfulness is measured first by obedience to God’s message, not by the audience’s approval.
Ezekiel 2:6-8, Do Not Fear, but Speak Boldly
Ezekiel 2:6-8, “And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.”
God commands Ezekiel not to be afraid. This command is repeated because the calling is difficult. Ezekiel will not preach to a soft, receptive, thankful people. He will preach to people compared to briers, thorns, and scorpions.
Their words will sting. Their looks will intimidate. Rejection can come through open speech or through silent contempt. God tells Ezekiel not to fear either. He must not be controlled by hostile words or hard faces.
The phrase “though they be a rebellious house” is repeated. God is making Ezekiel realistic before he begins. He does not promise Ezekiel an easy ministry. He prepares him for rejection.
Ezekiel must speak God’s words whether they hear or refuse. The message does not change based on audience response. A prophet is not a salesman adjusting the product to the crowd. He is a messenger carrying the word of God.
Then God warns Ezekiel personally: “Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house.” This is searching. Ezekiel is being sent to rebuke rebellion, but he must not become rebellious himself. The preacher must first submit to the word he preaches.
God then commands him, “open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.” Ezekiel must receive God’s word into himself before he speaks it to others. The word must not remain external. It must be taken in, digested, absorbed, and made part of the prophet’s inner life.
This image is similar to Jeremiah’s experience.
Jeremiah 15:16, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart...”
A servant of God cannot faithfully speak what he has not first received. Ezekiel must eat before he proclaims.
Ezekiel 2:9-10, The Scroll of Lamentations, Mourning, and Woe
Ezekiel 2:9-10, “And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.”
Ezekiel sees a hand stretched out to him with a roll of a book. This scroll represents the message God gives him to proclaim. God’s word is not vague. It is written, full, definite, and authoritative.
The scroll is written within and without, on both sides. Usually scrolls were written on one side, but this one is filled completely. The message is full. There is no empty space for Ezekiel to add his own ideas, soften the message, or adjust it according to the people’s reaction.
The contents are “lamentations, and mourning, and woe.” Ezekiel’s early ministry will be heavy. He is not being sent with a cheerful national recovery speech. He is being sent with a word of judgment to a rebellious people.
This fits the historical moment. Jerusalem has not yet finally fallen, but the judgment is sure. The people need truth, not false comfort. They need warning, not flattery. They need the word of the Lord GOD, even if that word contains lamentations, mourning, and woe.
Under the new covenant, the central message of the church is the gospel of Jesus Christ, good news for sinners through His death, burial, and resurrection. Yet even gospel preaching must still tell the truth about sin, judgment, wrath, repentance, and the need for salvation. A message that refuses to speak of sin and judgment is not faithful to the whole counsel of God.
Acts 20:26-27, “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”
Ezekiel’s call shows that God’s messenger must receive all God gives, even the hard parts, and speak faithfully whether people hear or refuse.
Doctrinal and Practical Notes
Ezekiel 2 teaches that true calling begins with the glory and word of God. Ezekiel’s commission comes after he sees the glory of the LORD.
Ezekiel 2 teaches that God’s servants are still men. “Son of man” reminds Ezekiel of his humanity and dependence.
Ezekiel 2 teaches that God commands and empowers. Ezekiel is told to stand, and the Spirit enables him to stand.
Ezekiel 2 teaches that the Spirit and the word work together. The Spirit enters Ezekiel when God speaks to him.
Ezekiel 2 teaches that rebellion can become the defining mark of a privileged people. Israel becomes known as a rebellious house.
Ezekiel 2 teaches that the prophet must speak God’s words, not his own.
Ezekiel 2 teaches that faithfulness is required whether people hear or refuse.
Ezekiel 2 teaches that the messenger must not fear hostile words, hard looks, briers, thorns, or scorpions.
Ezekiel 2 teaches that the preacher must not become rebellious while preaching against rebellion.
Ezekiel 2 teaches that the word of God must be inwardly received before it is outwardly proclaimed.
Ezekiel 2 teaches that God’s written word is full, fixed, and authoritative.
Ezekiel 2 teaches that faithful ministry sometimes includes lamentations, mourning, and woe.
Summary
Ezekiel 2 records Ezekiel’s call as a prophet. After seeing the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD and falling on his face, Ezekiel hears God call him “Son of man” and command him to stand upon his feet. As God speaks, the Spirit enters Ezekiel and sets him on his feet so that he can hear the One speaking to him.
God sends Ezekiel to the children of Israel, described as a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Him. They and their fathers have transgressed against God to that very day. They are impudent children and stiffhearted. Ezekiel is sent to speak with the authority of “Thus saith the Lord GOD.” Whether the people hear or refuse, they will know that a prophet has been among them.
The LORD commands Ezekiel not to fear them or their words, even though briers, thorns, and scorpions surround him. He must not be dismayed by their looks, because they are a rebellious house. He must speak God’s words whether they hear or refuse.
Then God warns Ezekiel himself not to be rebellious like the rebellious house. He commands him to open his mouth and eat what God gives him. Ezekiel sees a hand stretched out with a scroll. The scroll is spread before him, written on the inside and outside, full of lamentations, mourning, and woe. Ezekiel must receive God’s complete message before he speaks it.
