Ezekiel Chapter 2 — The Commission of the Prophet
God commissions Ezekiel to serve as a prophet to the rebellious house of Israel, strengthening him with the Spirit and presenting a scroll of lamentations.
1He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.”
2The Spirit entered into me when he spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard him who spoke to me.
3He said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the children of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me even to this very day.
4The children are impudent and stiff-hearted. I am sending you to them, and you shall tell them, ‘This is what the Lord*The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.” GOD says.’
5They, whether they will hear, or whether they will refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that there has been a prophet among them.
6You, son of man, don’t be afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you, and you dwell among scorpions. Don’t be afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.
7You shall speak my words to them, whether they will hear or whether they will refuse; for they are most rebellious.
8But you, son of man, hear what I tell you. Don’t be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth, and eat that which I give you.”
9When I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it.
10He spread it before me. It was written within and without; and lamentations, mourning, and woe were written in it.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Ezekiel 2:3
“He said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the children of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me even to this very day.”
This verse defines Ezekiel's specific audience and the difficult nature of his mission.
Ezekiel 2:6
“You, son of man, don’t be afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you, and you dwell among scorpions.”
God provides Ezekiel with encouragement and a realistic warning about the hostility he will face.
Ezekiel 2:10
“He spread it before me. It was written within and without; and lamentations, mourning, and woe were written in it.”
This describes the heavy and sobering nature of the message Ezekiel is commanded to deliver.
Chapter Summary
In Ezekiel Chapter 2, the prophet receives his formal commission from God following his initial vision of the divine glory. God addresses Ezekiel as 'son of man' and commands him to stand up. As God speaks, the Spirit enters Ezekiel, setting him on his feet to listen. The Lord explains that Ezekiel is being sent to the children of Israel, whom He characterizes as a rebellious nation that has transgressed against Him for generations. God warns the prophet that the people are impudent and stiff-hearted, yet Ezekiel is tasked with delivering the message so they will know a prophet has been among them. Ezekiel is encouraged not to fear their words or their intimidating looks, even though his situation is compared to living among thorns and scorpions. The chapter concludes with a hand appearing to Ezekiel, holding a scroll written on both sides with words of lamentation, mourning, and woe.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the book of Ezekiel, 'Son of man' (ben-adam) is used by God to address the prophet, emphasizing his human frailty and mortality in contrast to the majesty of God.
God uses this term to describe the people's persistent refusal to follow His commandments and their history of transgressing against His covenant.
The scroll represents the specific message of judgment God has prepared. Being written on both sides indicates the completeness and abundance of the lamentations Ezekiel must proclaim.
Study Note
The phrase 'Son of man' appears over 90 times in the book of Ezekiel, serving as the standard divine address for the prophet throughout his ministry.
Related Chapters
Jeremiah Chapter 1
Both chapters depict the formal call and commission of a major prophet to a resistant audience.
Revelation Chapter 10
This New Testament chapter also features a vision of a prophet being commanded to eat a scroll containing God's word.
Isaiah Chapter 6
Isaiah 6 provides another example of a prophet's vision of God followed by a difficult commission to speak to an unresponsive people.
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