Ezekiel 3:7

But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel [are] impudent and hardhearted.

But the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478} will {H14} not hearken {H8085} unto thee; for they will {H14} not hearken {H8085} unto me: for all the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478} are impudent {H2389}{H4696} and hardhearted {H7186}{H3820}.

But the house of Isra'el will not be willing to listen to you, because they aren't willing to listen to me; since all the house of Isra'el are obstinate and hardhearted.

But the house of Israel will be unwilling to listen to you, since they are unwilling to listen to Me. For the whole house of Israel is hard-headed and hard-hearted.

But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are of a hard forehead and of a stiff heart.

Ezekiel 3:7 delivers a stark warning to the prophet Ezekiel concerning the reception of his divine message. This verse highlights the deep-seated spiritual condition of the "house of Israel," emphasizing their persistent rebellion against God.

Context

This verse comes directly after God has commissioned Ezekiel, a priest in exile in Babylon, to be a watchman and prophet to the exiled people of Judah. In Ezekiel 2, God describes Israel as a "rebellious nation" and a "stiffhearted" people. Here, in Ezekiel 3:4-6, the Lord reassures Ezekiel that he is not being sent to a foreign people with an unfamiliar tongue, but to his own countrymen. However, this verse immediately clarifies that despite being their own kin, they will prove incredibly resistant to his words, because their resistance is ultimately against God Himself.

Key Themes

  • Divine Foreknowledge: God knows the hearts of His people. He forewarns Ezekiel that his mission will be challenging, not due to his own failings, but because of Israel's inherent stubbornness. This demonstrates God's complete understanding of human nature and their spiritual state.
  • Rebellion Against God: The core issue is Israel's long history of disobedience. Their refusal to "hearken unto thee" (Ezekiel) is explicitly linked to their refusal to "hearken unto me" (God). This underscores the principle that rejecting God's messengers is tantamount to rejecting God Himself, a theme seen throughout prophetic literature (e.g., Jeremiah 7:24-26).
  • Hardness of Heart: This phrase points to a spiritual insensitivity and unwillingness to respond to God's truth. It signifies a refusal to repent or change their ways, despite repeated warnings and divine intervention. This condition of spiritual stubbornness made them unresponsive to both God's discipline and His gracious invitations.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "impudent and hardhearted." The Hebrew phrase for "impudent" is literally "hard of forehead" (qasheh metzach), signifying a brazen, unyielding defiance, like someone who has a hardened brow and is unashamed in their rebellion. It suggests a lack of shame or remorse, a bold unwillingness to submit. "Hardhearted" (qesheh-lev) further emphasizes their spiritual insensitivity and obstinacy, a heart that has become calloused to divine instruction and conviction. These terms vividly portray the deep spiritual resistance Ezekiel was about to face.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 3:7 offers several timeless insights:

  • Challenges of Truth-Telling: Those who deliver God's message may face significant resistance, even from those they seek to help. It reminds us that the messenger's faithfulness is paramount, regardless of the audience's reception.
  • The Nature of Spiritual Resistance: This verse highlights that human resistance to divine truth often stems from a deep-seated spiritual hardness, not just a lack of understanding. It calls believers to examine their own hearts for areas of stubbornness or spiritual apathy.
  • God's Persistence: Despite knowing Israel's stubbornness, God still sends His prophet. This demonstrates God's enduring love and patience, continually reaching out to His people even when they are rebellious, desiring their repentance and salvation.
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.

  • Luke 10:16

    He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

  • Ezekiel 2:4

    For [they are] impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD.

  • 1 Samuel 8:7

    And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

  • Luke 13:34

    O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen [doth gather] her brood under [her] wings, and ye would not!

  • Isaiah 3:9

    ¶ The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide [it] not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.

  • Jeremiah 44:4

    Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending [them], saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.

  • Jeremiah 44:5

    But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods.

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