# Overview Ezekiel Chapter 2 begins with the calling of the prophet #Ezekiel by #God. As Ezekiel stands, the #Spirit enters him and sets him on his feet, indicating a divine empowerment for the mission ahead. God addresses Ezekiel as "son of man," emphasizing his humanity in contrast to God's divine authority. Ezekiel is sent to the rebellious house of #Israel, a nation described as impudent and stubborn, who have transgressed against God. Despite their rebellious nature, Ezekiel is commanded to deliver God's message, whether they listen or not, establishing his role as a watchman to the people. This chapter highlights the responsibility of the prophet to speak God's words, irrespective of the response, and underscores the persistent rebellion of Israel. Moreover, God warns Ezekiel not to be afraid of the people or their words, likening their resistance to thorns and scorpions. This imagery conveys the potential hostility Ezekiel will face, yet he is encouraged to be fearless and steadfast. God provides Ezekiel with a scroll containing lamentations, mourning, and woe, which symbolizes the message of judgment he is to proclaim. Ezekiel is instructed to eat the scroll, internalizing God’s words before speaking them to the people. This act signifies the deep integration of God's message within Ezekiel, preparing him for the prophetic task. The chapter concludes with a charge to speak God's words faithfully, highlighting the seriousness of his divine commission amidst a rebellious nation. ## Theological Insights In Ezekiel 2, the calling of #Ezekiel as a prophet is a powerful reminder of the sovereignty and holiness of #God. The chapter begins with God addressing Ezekiel as "son of man," a title that emphasizes Ezekiel's human nature in contrast to the divine authority and majesty he is about to encounter. This designation also prefigures its use in the #NewTestament, particularly referring to [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] in the #Gospels. The commissioning of Ezekiel underscores the theme of divine authority and the seriousness of the prophetic message. God instructs Ezekiel to speak to the "rebellious house" of #Israel, a nation characterized by obstinacy and rebellion against God's statutes. This echoes the recurring theme throughout the #OldTestament of Israel's struggle with faithfulness to God, as seen in books like [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 32]] and [[Judges/Judges Chapter 2]]. The prophet's mission to deliver God's word, regardless of whether the people listen or fail to listen, emphasizes the responsibility of the messenger to faithfully proclaim God's truth. Ezekiel's vision and encounter with the Spirit of God highlight the divine empowerment necessary for his mission. As he stands up, the Spirit enters him, symbolizing the divine enablement essential for fulfilling his prophetic role. This empowerment by the Spirit is a motif that runs through the biblical narrative, seen in leaders and prophets such as [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 31|Bezalel]], [[Judges/Judges Chapter 6|Gideon]], and the apostles in the #NewTestament, particularly in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 2]] during #Pentecost. The scroll given to Ezekiel, filled with words of lamentation and mourning, signifies the impending judgment and sorrow due to Israel's disobedience. The act of eating the scroll represents the internalization of God's word, a powerful metaphor for the prophet's complete assimilation and proclamation of the divine message. This concept of consuming God's word is similarly found in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 15]], where Jeremiah expresses delight in devouring God's words. Overall, Ezekiel 2 presents a vivid picture of the divine calling and the challenges that come with proclaiming God's truth to a resistant audience. It sets the stage for the prophet's ministry and serves as a reminder of the necessity of perseverance and faithfulness in the face of opposition, resonating with the charge given to all believers to stand firm in their witness for Christ, as echoed in [[1 Corinthians/1 Corinthians Chapter 16]]. ## Thematic Connections ### The Sovereignty of God In [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 2]], the sovereignty of #God is evident as He commissions #Ezekiel to be a prophet to the rebellious house of #Israel. This theme resonates with God's authority and control, similar to His sovereign call of other prophets such as [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 1|Jeremiah]] and [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 6|Isaiah]], emphasizing that God chooses His messengers according to His purpose, regardless of human resistance or disobedience. ### The Rebellion of Israel The chapter underscores the persistent rebellion of the house of #Israel. This theme is a continuation of Israel's historical disobedience, which is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, as seen in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 32|Exodus 32]] with the golden calf and [[Judges/Judges Chapter 2|Judges 2]] where Israel repeatedly falls into idolatry after the death of Joshua. ### The Role of the Prophet In [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 2]], the role of the prophet is highlighted, as Ezekiel is sent to deliver God's message to a rebellious nation. This theme aligns with other biblical prophets who were also tasked with delivering divine messages, often in the face of opposition, such as [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 19|Elijah]] and [[Amos/Amos Chapter 7|Amos]]. The prophet's role as a spokesperson for God underscores the importance of obedience and faithfulness in delivering God's word. ### The Symbolism of the Scroll Ezekiel's vision of a scroll being presented to him, which he is instructed to eat, symbolizes the internalization of God's message. This theme is seen in other scriptural instances where God's word is depicted as sustenance, such as in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 15|Jeremiah 15:16]], where Jeremiah finds joy in consuming God's words, and in the New Testament with [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 10|John]], who also eats a scroll in Revelation, symbolizing the absorption and proclamation of God's message. ### Divine Empowerment and Commission Ezekiel's empowerment by the #Spirit of God to stand and receive his commission reflects the theme of divine empowerment. This echoes the experiences of other biblical figures who were empowered by the Spirit for their mission, such as [[Judges/Judges Chapter 6|Gideon]] and [[Acts/Acts Chapter 2|the apostles at Pentecost]]. This empowerment underscores the necessity of divine aid in fulfilling God's purposes amidst human weakness and opposition. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Call of the Prophet In [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 2]], #Ezekiel's call as a prophet fulfills the broader prophetic tradition seen throughout the #OldTestament, where God commissions individuals to speak to #Israel. This continues the pattern established with figures like #Isaiah in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 6]] and #Jeremiah in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 1]]. Ezekiel’s commissioning by God reaffirms the ongoing nature of God's communication with His people through chosen messengers, highlighting the continuity of prophetic ministry throughout Israel’s history. ### Rebellious House of Israel The description of Israel as a "rebellious house" in Ezekiel 2 aligns with earlier prophetic declarations regarding Israel's disobedience. This characterization echoes the warnings given by prophets like #Moses in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 9]], where the Israelites are repeatedly reminded of their stubbornness and rebellion against God. Ezekiel's message serves as a fulfillment of these earlier warnings, emphasizing the consistency of Israel's struggle with faithfulness and the need for repentance. ### The Scroll of Lamentation The scroll given to Ezekiel, filled with lamentation, mourning, and woe, symbolizes the fulfillment of God's warnings through the prophets concerning judgment upon Israel due to their sins. This concept reflects the earlier prophecies of destruction and lamentation found in books like [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 5]] and [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 4]]. The scroll's content underscores the seriousness of Israel's situation and serves as a tangible representation of the prophetic warnings consistently delivered by God's messengers. ### The Role of the Watchman Though more explicitly detailed in later chapters, Ezekiel's role as a watchman begins in Chapter 2 and fulfills the prophetic expectation of vigilance and warning found in [[Habakkuk/Habakkuk Chapter 2]] and [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 21]]. The concept of a watchman is a recurring prophetic theme, representing the responsibility to alert God's people of impending danger and call them to repentance. Ezekiel's commission as a watchman continues this motif, reinforcing the prophetic mandate to serve as guardians over Israel's spiritual state. ## Verses - **Ezekiel 2:1** - "Stand up, son of man," said the voice. "I want to speak with you." - Note: The phrase "son of man" is frequently used in the Book of #Ezekiel, referring to the prophet. It is also used in reference to [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] in the New Testament, e.g., [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 8]]. - **Ezekiel 2:2** - "The Spirit came into me as he spoke, and he set me on my feet. I listened carefully to his words." - Note: The empowerment by the #Spirit is a theme seen in other prophets, such as [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 61]] and in the early church, e.g., [[Acts/Acts Chapter 2]]. - **Ezekiel 2:3** - "Son of man," he said, "I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been rebelling against me to this very day." - Note: The rebellion of #Israel is a recurring theme throughout the #OldTestament, such as in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 32]] and [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 3]]. - **Ezekiel 2:4** - "They are a stubborn and hard-hearted people. But I am sending you to say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’" - Note: The #Lord's sovereignty is emphasized in His messages to the prophets, e.g., [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 1]]. - **Ezekiel 2:5** - "And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for remember, they are rebels—at least they will know they have had a prophet among them." - Note: The role of a #prophet is to deliver God's message regardless of the people's response, seen also in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 7]]. - **Ezekiel 2:6** - "Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don't be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels." - Note: God's call to fearlessness in the face of opposition is echoed in the encouragement given to #Joshua, e.g., [[Joshua/Joshua Chapter 1]]. - **Ezekiel 2:7** - "You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. But they won't listen, for they are completely rebellious!" - Note: The stubbornness of the people is a barrier to receiving God's word, similar to the hard-heartedness seen in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 7]]. - **Ezekiel 2:8** - "Son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not join them in their rebellion. Open your mouth and eat what I give you." - Note: The act of eating signifies receiving and internalizing God's word, as also symbolized in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 15]]. - **Ezekiel 2:9** - "Then I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me. It held a scroll," - Note: Scrolls as carriers of God's message are present in other visions, e.g., [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 5]]. - **Ezekiel 2:10** - "which he unrolled. And I saw that both sides were covered with funeral songs, words of sorrow, and pronouncements of doom." - Note: The content of the scroll signifies judgment and lament, similar to the messages given to #Jeremiah, e.g., [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 36]].