Ezekiel 2
Ezekiel 2 depicts the moment when the prophet Ezekiel receives a calling from God. In accordance with this, he is assigned the mission of receiving God’s message and delivering it to the people of Israel. In this chapter, God calls Ezekiel “son of man” and commands him to speak boldly to the people who have turned away. It highlights Ezekiel’s role, the difficulties he faces, and the weight of the message he must deliver.
1verseHe said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.”
2verseThe Spirit entered into me when he spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard him who spoke to me.
3verseHe 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.
4verseThe children are impudent and stiff-hearted. I am sending you to them, and you shall tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’
5verseThey, 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.
6verseYou, 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.
7verseYou shall speak my words to them, whether they will hear or whether they will refuse; for they are most rebellious.
8verseBut 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.”
9verseWhen I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it.
10verseHe spread it before me. It was written within and without; and lamentations, mourning, and woe were written in it.
The Structure and Flow of Chapter 2
- God’s calling (verses 1-2): The Spirit of God comes upon Ezekiel, lifts him up, and speaks to him.
- Commission assigned (verses 3-5): God explains the stubbornness and disobedience of the people of Israel, and Ezekiel is given the mission to bring God’s words to them.
- Do not be afraid (verses 6-7): Regardless of how the people respond, he must speak the truth, receiving a command not to be shaken by fear or threats.
- The vision of the scroll (verses 8-10): God tells Ezekiel to eat the scroll and shows that it contains words of lament, groaning, and judgment.
Key Meaning and Message
Ezekiel 2 emphasizes that the prophet is established not by his own strength or ability, but by God’s calling and power. It also tells us that the prophet’s mission does not change whether the audience receives the message or rejects it. The heavy responsibility of delivering God’s word and an attitude that does not waver in the face of truth are strongly highlighted. The words of lament contained in the scroll reveal the seriousness of Israel’s spiritual condition at that time.
Points for Reflection
- What kind of attitude should we have in the face of God’s calling?
- What challenge does the prophet’s attitude give us when confronted with fear and reluctance that arise in the process of proclaiming the word?
- What do you think God’s word is that we should inscribe upon our hearts?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- We reflect on what my own “personal mission” is that God has entrusted to me.
- We check whether we can practice God’s will honestly and boldly even amid difficulties or fear.
- We think about what we can carry out specifically today in order to keep listening to God’s word and live a life of obedience.
