1 And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.
2 And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.
3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.
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.
5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.
9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;
10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.
The Book of Ezekiel, named after its author, the prophet Ezekiel, is a unique blend of history, prophecy, and visions. Chapter 2, in particular, is a pivotal chapter in the book. It establishes the context for Ezekiel's prophetic mission, sets the tone for the subsequent prophetic declarations, and provides insights into the nature of God's interaction with His people. This chapter, therefore, is not just a historical narrative but a profound theological treatise that presents timeless truths about God's sovereignty, holiness, and relentless pursuit of His people.
Ezekiel 2 begins with a divine encounter. Ezekiel sees "the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD" and falls on his face in awe and reverence. This encounter, however, is not just a spectacular vision but a divine commissioning. God calls Ezekiel, "Son of man", a title that emphasizes his humanity in contrast to God's divine nature. This divine-human interaction underscores a fundamental truth about God's nature – His transcendence does not prevent Him from engaging with His creation. Instead, it becomes the basis for His compassionate involvement with humanity.
The divine commission that Ezekiel receives is specific and challenging. He is sent to the "children of Israel", described as a "rebellious nation" and a "rebellious house". These descriptions reflect the spiritual condition of the Israelites at that time – they had turned away from God, rejecting His laws and pursuing their own ways. Yet, despite their rebellion, God continues to reach out to them, demonstrating His relentless love and mercy.
God's commission to Ezekiel, however, is not a guarantee of success. God warns Ezekiel that the people might not listen to him because "they are a rebellious house". This prophecy is a sobering reminder of the human propensity to resist God's word and persist in rebellion. Yet, the success of Ezekiel's mission is not measured by the people's response but by his faithfulness in delivering God's message.
Ezekiel's commissioning is accompanied by a symbolic act – the handing over of a scroll. The scroll, written on both sides with "lamentations, mourning, and woe," represents the message that Ezekiel is to deliver. It is a message of judgment, a divine indictment of Israel's sins. Yet, it is also a message of hope, a call to repentance and restoration.
The scroll's contents are not sugar-coated to make them more palatable. They are a stark, unflinching portrayal of the consequences of Israel's rebellion. Yet, in the midst of the lamentations and woe, there is a glimmer of hope. God's judgment is not the end but a means to an end – the restoration of His people. This dual message of judgment and hope is a recurring theme in Ezekiel's prophecies.
Ezekiel's commission comes with a call to courage and perseverance. God tells Ezekiel not to be afraid of the people or their words. Despite their hostility and opposition, Ezekiel is to stand firm and speak God's words. This call to courage and perseverance is not just for Ezekiel but for all who are called to speak God's truth. It is a reminder that the task of delivering God's message is often met with resistance, but the messenger must not be deterred by the hardness of the hearers.
Ezekiel's courage and perseverance are not rooted in his own strength but in God's empowering presence. God tells Ezekiel "Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads". This divine empowerment is essential for Ezekiel's mission and for any task that God assigns. It is a reminder that God equips those He calls, providing the strength and courage needed to fulfill His mission.
Ezekiel 2 is not just a historical narrative but a theological treatise with profound implications. It presents timeless truths about God's sovereignty, holiness, and relentless pursuit of His people. It underscores the seriousness of rebellion against God and the inevitability of divine judgment. Yet, it also highlights God's mercy and His desire for repentance and restoration.
This chapter also has practical implications. It calls for courage and perseverance in the face of opposition. It reminds us that God equips those He calls, providing the strength and courage needed to fulfill His mission. And it challenges us to be faithful in delivering God's message, regardless of the response.
In conclusion, Ezekiel 2 is a powerful chapter that presents a vivid portrait of God's interaction with His people. It is a chapter that challenges us to ponder the depth of God's love, the seriousness of rebellion, the inevitability of judgment, and the possibility of restoration. It is a chapter that calls us to respond with awe, reverence, courage, and faithfulness. And it is a chapter that invites us to experience the transforming power of God's word.
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