Ezekiel
Ezekiel 2
Big idea: The commission is realistic to the point of bleakness. He is sent to a rebellious house who will not listen, and told so in advance — and the measure of success is not their response but that they will know a prophet has been among them.
The scroll he is handed at the end of the chapter is eaten at the start of chapter 3.
2:1–10 — Whether they listen or not
The first word is the one the book will use more than ninety times: son of man — mortal, human, the opposite of what he has just been looking at. He is told to stand, and the Spirit sets him on his feet, which is how the book handles the gap between the command and the ability.
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. 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, ‘This is what the Lord Yahweh says.’ 5 They, whether they will hear, or whether they will refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that there has been a prophet among them. 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 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 refuse; 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.” 9 When I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. 10 He spread it before me. It was written within and without; and lamentations, mourning, and woe were written in it.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).