Ezekiel’s Commission, 1-10

2:1 He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet and I will speak with you.” 2:2 As he spoke to me, a wind came into me and stood me on my feet, and I heard the one speaking to me.

“Son of man” – This epithet is repeatedly applied to Ezekiel in chapters 2 and 3.  We may suppose that our Lord’s self-designation as the ‘Son of Man’ is based partly on its application to to Ezekiel (emphasising his frail and dependent humanity) and partly on its use in Dan 9 (where the emphasis is on heavenly splendour).  The image is again applied to Christ in Rev 1.

Some translations: ‘mortal man’.

2:3 He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the house of Israel, to rebellious nations who have rebelled against me; both they and their fathers have revolted against me to this very day. 2:4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and hard-hearted, and you must say to them, ‘This is what the sovereign LORD says.’ 2:5 And as for them, whether they listen or not—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. 2:6 But you, son of man, do not fear them, and do not fear their words—even though briers and thorns surround you and you live among scorpions—do not fear their words and do not be terrified of the looks they give you, for they are a rebellious house! 2:7 You must speak my words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious. 2:8 As for you, son of man, listen to what I am saying to you: Do not rebel like that rebellious house! Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.”

“I am sending you to the house of Israel, to rebellious nations who have rebelled against me” – Ezekiel was not being sent to those who had never known God.  In many ways, that would have been easier.  No: he was being sent to those who had known the truth, but were now in active rebellion against it.

‘It is still tragically true that in some parts of the world . . . God’s Word receives a better hearing among those who have never heard it than among those established churches who have grown hard and deaf in their resistance to the movements of God’s Spirit.’ (Wright)

McQuoid, Elizabeth. Food for the Journey . IVP. Kindle Edition.

2:9 Then I looked and realized a hand was stretched out to me, and in it was a written scroll. 2:10 He unrolled it before me, and it had writing on the front and back; written on it were laments, mourning, and woe.