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.

Ezekiel Commissioned by the Spirit

1
He said to me, Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you. ​
2
The Spirit entered into me when he spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard him who spoke to me. ​

Mission to Rebellious Israel

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. ​
4
The children are impudent and stiff-hearted: I am sending you to them; and you shall tell them, Thus says the Lord the LORD. ​
5
They, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house), yet shall know that there has been a prophet among them. ​

Do Not Fear the Rebellious House

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 do dwell among scorpions: don’t be afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house. ​
7
You shall speak my words to them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear; for they are most rebellious.
8
But 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. ​

The Scroll of Judgment

9
When I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me; and, behold, a scroll of a book was therein; ​
10
He spread it before me: and it was written within and without; and there were written therein lamentations, and 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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