Ezekiel’s Call
The divine voice addresses Ezekiel as 'son of man' and tells him to stand, while the Spirit enters him and sets him upright to listen. The LORD then sends him to the Israelites, described as a rebellious nation continuing in the rebellion of their fathers. Their stubbornness is made explicit, yet Ezekiel is still to speak the Lord GOD's words to them, because whether they listen or refuse, they must know a prophet has been among them.
“1Son of man, ” He said to me, “stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” 2And as He spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me. 3“Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. To this very day they and their fathers have rebelled against Me. 4They are obstinate and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ 5And whether they listen or refuse to listen— for they are a rebellious house— they will know that a prophet has been among them.
Ezekiel is warned not to fear the people, their words, or their hostile environment, even though it will feel like living among briers, thorns, and scorpions. His responsibility is not to manage their response but to speak God's words to them. At the same time, he is warned not to become rebellious like the house to which he is sent, and is told to open his mouth for what God gives him.
6But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house. 7But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious. 8And you, son of man, listen to what I tell you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I give you.”
Ezekiel sees a hand extended toward him holding a scroll, and as it is spread out before him he sees writing on both front and back. Its contents are words of lamentation, mourning, and woe. The visual ending makes plain that his ministry will carry heavy judgment language from the very beginning.
9Then I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me, and in it was a scroll, 10which He unrolled before me. And written on the front and back of it were words of lamentation, mourning, and woe.