Ezekiel 2

Ezekiel’s Call to Be a Prophet

1 He said to me, “Son of man,[a] stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.”
2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.
3 He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day.
4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’
5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them.
6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.
7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.
8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you.”
9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll,
10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.

Ezekiel 2 Commentary

Chapter 2

The prophet is directed what he is to do. (1-5) And encouraged to be resolute, faithful, and devoted. (6-10)

Verses 1-5 Lest Ezekiel should be lifted up with the abundance of the revelations, he is put in mind that still he is a son of man, a weak, mortal creature. As Christ usually called himself the Son of man, it was also an honourable distinction. Ezekiel's posture showed reverence, but his standing up would be a posture of greater readiness and fitness for business. God will speak to us, when we stand ready to do what he commands us. As Ezekiel had not strength of his own, the Spirit entered into him. God is graciously pleased to work in us whatever he requires of us. The Holy Spirit sets us upon our feet, by inclining our wills to our duty. Thus, when the Lord calls upon the sinner to awake, and attend to the concerns of his soul, the Spirit of life and grace comes with the call. Ezekiel is sent with a message to the children of Israel. Many might treat his message with contempt, yet they should know by the event that a prophet had been sent to them. God will be glorified, and his word made honourable, whether it be a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death.

Verses 6-10 Those who will do any thing to purpose in the service of God, must not fear men. Wicked men are as briers and thorns; but they are nigh unto cursing, and their end is to be burned. The prophet must be faithful to the souls of those to whom he was sent. All who speak from God to others, must obey his voice. The discoveries of sin, and the warnings of wrath, should be matter of lamentation. And those acquainted with the word of God, will clearly perceive it is filled with woe to impenitent sinners; and that all the precious promises of the gospel are for the repenting, believing servants of the Lord.

Cross References 22

  • 1. S Job 25:6; Psalms 8:4; S Ezekiel 1:26; Daniel 7:13; Daniel 8:15
  • 2. Daniel 10:11; Acts 14:10; Acts 26:16
  • 3. Acts 9:6
  • 4. Ezekiel 3:24; Daniel 8:18
  • 5. S Jeremiah 3:25; Ezekiel 5:6; Ezekiel 20:8-24; Ezekiel 24:3
  • 6. S Exodus 32:9; S Isaiah 9:9; Ezekiel 3:7
  • 7. Amos 7:15
  • 8. Ezekiel 3:11
  • 9. Ezekiel 3:27
  • 10. S Jeremiah 5:3; Ezekiel 33:33; John 15:22
  • 11. S Deuteronomy 31:6; S 2 Kings 1:15; Jeremiah 1:8,17
  • 12. S Numbers 33:55; Isaiah 9:18; Micah 7:4
  • 13. S Isaiah 1:2; Isaiah 30:9; Ezekiel 24:3; Ezekiel 44:6; Ezekiel 3:9
  • 14. Jeremiah 7:27
  • 15. Jeremiah 1:7; S Jeremiah 42:21; Ezekiel 3:10-11
  • 16. Numbers 20:10-13
  • 17. Isaiah 8:11
  • 18. S Isaiah 50:5
  • 19. Psalms 81:10; S Jeremiah 15:16; Revelation 10:9
  • 20. Ezekiel 8:3
  • 21. S Psalms 40:7; S Jeremiah 36:4; Revelation 5:1-5; Revelation 10:8-10
  • 22. Isaiah 3:11; Revelation 8:13

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. The Hebrew phrase "ben adam" means "human being" . The phrase "son of man" is retained as a form of address here and throughout Ezekiel because of its possible association with “Son of Man” in the New Testament.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 2

This chapter contains me prophet's call, commission, and instruction to prophesy. The preparation to it is in Eze 2:1,2; being fallen upon his face, he is bid to stand upon his feet, with a promise to speak to him; and the Spirit entering into him, he is set by him on his feet, and he hears what is spoken to him; then follows his mission to the children of Israel, who are described as rebellious, impudent, and stiff-hearted; and to whom he is sent, to render them inexcusable, Eze 2:3-5; and he is exhorted not to be afraid of their words, nor dismayed at their looks, however fierce and furious they might be; but faithfully declare his message, and not be discouraged, should it be without success, Eze 2:6,7; and he is instructed not to be rebellious, as they were; but open his mouth and eat what should be given him, Eze 2:8; when, in a visionary way, a hand was seen, and a roll in it, and this spread before him, written within and without, full of lamentation, mourning, and woes, as a symbol of the substance of his prophecy, Eze 2:9,10.

Ezekiel 2 Commentaries

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