Ezekiel 2:1-10
A Watchman for Israel
1“Son of man,” He said to me, “stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.”
2And as He spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me.
3“Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. To this very day they and their fathers have rebelled against Me.
4They are obstinate and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’
5And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.
6But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house.
7But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious.
8And you, son of man, listen to what I tell you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I give you.”
9Then I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me, and in it was a scroll,
10which He unrolled before me. And written on the front and back of it were words of lamentation, mourning, and woe.
Berean Standard Bible
The voice calls Ezekiel “son of man” and tells him to stand on his feet. The Spirit enters him and sets him upright, allowing him to hear the One who speaks. Ezekiel's calling begins with God supplying strength for a posture he could not take by himself.
He is sent to the Israelites, a rebellious nation that has rebelled against God. Their ancestors transgressed, and the people remain stubborn and obstinate. God does not hide the likely reception: whether they listen or refuse, they will know that a prophet has been among them.
Ezekiel must not be afraid of their words, their looks, or their threats. He is not told that the people will become agreeable once he speaks faithfully. His responsibility is to receive God's words and deliver them, even when the audience is resistant.
The prophet sees a hand stretched toward him holding a scroll written on both sides with lamentation, mourning, and woe. The calling includes hard words because the people's situation is hard. Faithful speech cannot be reduced to encouragement that leaves rebellion unnamed.
Questions
1 What enabled Ezekiel to stand?
AnswerThe Spirit entered him and set him on his feet.
2 To whom was Ezekiel sent?
AnswerHe was sent to the Israelites, a rebellious nation that had rebelled against God.
3 What response did God expect from the people?
AnswerSome might listen and some might refuse, but they would know that a prophet had been among them.
4 What was written on the scroll?
AnswerIt was written with lamentation, mourning, and woe on both sides.
What This Means for Us
Faithfulness is not measured by whether a truthful word receives applause. Ezekiel is responsible for speaking what God gives him, while the hearers remain responsible for how they respond.
There are times when love requires comfort, and times when it requires an honest warning. Speak difficult truth without enjoying the power of confrontation, and receive correction without deciding that the person who brings it must be an enemy.
Prayer
LORD, give us strength to stand and courage to speak truthfully. Keep us from harshness and cowardice alike, and make us humble listeners when Your word exposes what needs to change. Amen.