Ezekiel2

God commissions Ezekiel, addressing him as "Son of man" and empowering him with His Spirit. Ezekiel is sent to the rebellious house of Israel, who have transgressed against God for generations. He is commanded to speak God's words without fear, regardless of their reception, and is shown a scroll filled with lamentations, mourning, and woe.
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Ezekiel Commissioned by the Spirit

1
“Son of man,” He said to me, “stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” ​
2
And as He spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me. ​

Mission to Rebellious Israel

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. ​
4
They 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.’ ​
5
And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. ​

Do Not Fear the Rebellious House

6
But 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. ​
7
But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious.
8
And 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.” ​

The Scroll of Judgment

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Then I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me, and in it was a scroll, ​
10
which He unrolled before me. And written on the front and back of it were words of lamentation, mourning, and woe. ​

Study Notes for Ezekiel 2

Verse 1

Son of man (Hebrew: *ben adam*) is God's characteristic address to Ezekiel, emphasizing the prophet's humanity and dependence on God amidst the divine glory he witnessed in Chapter 1.

Verse 2

The spirit entered into me highlights the necessity of divine empowerment for prophetic ministry, enabling Ezekiel to stand, receive, and physically deliver the message.

Verse 3

Ezekiel is sent to the children of Israel, identified as a profoundly rebellious nation whose transgression is deep-seated, spanning generations ('they and their fathers').

Verse 4

The description 'impudent children and stiffhearted' emphasizes their deep spiritual stubbornness and unwillingness to submit to God's authority (cf. Exod. 32:9).

Verse 5

This verse establishes the purpose of the mission: regardless of the people's response, they will inevitably know that a prophet (and thus God) spoke to them, validating the divine warning.

Verse 6

The imagery of 'briers and thorns' and 'scorpions' vividly portrays the hostility, danger, and spiritual corruption Ezekiel will encounter among his own people (the exiles).

Verse 8

Ezekiel is sternly warned not to imitate the rebellion of the exiles. The command to 'open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee' is a symbolic act of fully internalizing the divine word.

Verse 9

A hand presents a roll of a book (a scroll), symbolizing the authoritative, complete, and written nature of the divine message Ezekiel is about to receive.

Verse 10

Written 'within and without' suggests the message was comprehensive and voluminous, indicating the full measure of God's judgment. The content is summarized as 'lamentations, and mourning, and woe,' signifying inescapable sorrow.

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