Ezekiel 3:4

And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.

And he said {H559} unto me, Son {H1121} of man {H120}, go {H3212}, get {H935} thee unto the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}, and speak {H1696} with my words {H1697} unto them.

"Human being," he said to me, "go to the house of Isra'el, and speak my words to them.

Then He said to me, “Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak My words to them.

And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.

Ezekiel 3:4 marks a pivotal moment in the prophet Ezekiel's commission, as God directly instructs him on his specific assignment. Following powerful visions and a divine encounter in the preceding chapters, this verse clearly defines Ezekiel's audience and the nature of his message.

Context

This verse comes immediately after Ezekiel's profound call experience, where he sees the glory of God and is given a scroll to eat, symbolizing the internalization of God's word. Having been empowered by the Spirit and given his prophetic mandate, God now specifies the precise recipients of His message. Ezekiel is in Babylonian exile, among the Jewish captives. The "house of Israel" here refers to these exiled people, a nation that had repeatedly turned away from God, leading to their current predicament.

Key Themes

  • Divine Commission: The verse powerfully emphasizes that Ezekiel's ministry is not self-appointed but directly ordained by God ("And he said unto me"). This highlights the divine authority behind his prophetic work.
  • The Prophet's Mandate: Ezekiel is explicitly told to "speak with my words unto them." This underscores the fundamental role of a true prophet: to be a faithful mouthpiece for God, delivering His exact message without alteration or personal opinion. This is a crucial aspect of prophetic integrity.
  • Specific Audience: The message is directed to the "house of Israel," indicating God's continued concern for His covenant people, even in their rebellion and exile. God is reaching out to them through His chosen servant.
  • Urgency and Obedience: The command "go, get thee unto" implies an immediate and direct action required from Ezekiel, emphasizing the necessity of prompt obedience to God's call.

Linguistic Insights

The recurring title Son of man (Hebrew: ben adam - בֶן־אָדָם), by which God consistently addresses Ezekiel, emphasizes his humanity and mortality in contrast to God's divinity. While it grounds Ezekiel in his earthly reality, this title later takes on significant messianic implications, pointing to a future divine-human figure. The phrase "house of Israel" refers to the entire nation, often described in Ezekiel as rebellious and stiff-necked, highlighting the difficult nature of Ezekiel's assignment.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 3:4 holds timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God Calls and Equips: Just as God called Ezekiel, He calls individuals to specific tasks and equips them with His words. Our effectiveness in ministry or sharing faith comes from delivering God's truth, not our own ideas.
  • Faithful Communication: We are called to be faithful stewards of God's word, ensuring that what we communicate aligns with His revealed truth.
  • Reaching the Rebellious: God's compassion extends even to those who are stubborn or resistant. We are commissioned to share His message of warning, hope, and repentance with all, regardless of their present receptiveness.
  • Obedience is Key: The command to "go" signifies that hearing God's word is meant to lead to action. Our response to divine instruction should be prompt and obedient.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 10:5

    ¶ These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into [any] city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

  • Matthew 10:6

    But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

  • Ezekiel 2:7

    And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they [are] most rebellious.

  • Ezekiel 2:3

    And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, [even] unto this very day.

  • Ezekiel 3:11

    And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.

  • Acts 1:8

    But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

  • Matthew 15:24

    But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

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