Ezekiel 2

The text moves from the empowerment of the prophet to the difficult nature of his mission, culminating in the specific content he must deliver.

• God promises to speak to Ezekiel (v. 1).
• God promises that the people will 'know that there hath been a prophet among them' (v. 5).

• Stand upon thy feet (v. 1).
• Do not be afraid of the people (v. 6).
• Speak my words unto them (v. 7).
• Hear what I say (v. 8).
• Be not thou rebellious (v. 8).
• Open thy mouth and eat the roll (v. 8).

• The people are a rebellious house, which Ezekiel must not emulate (v. 8).

• The historical setting is the Babylonian exile. Ezekiel is among the captives near the Chebar canal, serving a people whose identity and faith are shattered by the loss of their land and the looming destruction of the Temple.

• Prophetic ministry in the ancient Near East was often dangerous. The metaphor of 'briers and thorns' reflects the common arid environment, suggesting that the prophet's work would be as physically and emotionally painful as walking through sharp, defensive plant life.

• This chapter follows the elaborate vision of the glory of the Lord in chapter 1. It bridges the transition from God's manifestation of power to the specific commission given to the prophet.

• The title 'Son of man' (ben [H1121] 'adam [H120]) is used significantly by Jesus in the New Testament to describe his own person, drawing on the humanity and representational authority inherent in the title here in Ezekiel. Matthew Henry observes that while the title serves to remind Ezekiel of his mortal, weak state, it also elevates the office given to him by God, a theme echoed in the prophetic authority of Christ.

• The call and commissioning in chapter 2 mirrors the patterns of calling prophets like Isaiah (Isa 6) and Jeremiah (Jer 1), emphasizing the 'rebellious' nature of the audience which is a frequent theme in the prophets.

• The word 'rebellious' is translated from the Hebrew meriy [H4805], which carries the connotation of 'bitterness' or 'contumacy'. This highlights that Israel’s rebellion is not merely passive disobedience but active, bitter hostility.
• The term 'Spirit' (ruach [H7307]) can also be translated as 'wind' or 'breath'. Its entry into Ezekiel highlights the external, sovereign power of God that initiates the prophet's capability to stand and hear.
• The phrase 'stand upon thy feet' (amad [H5975] 'al [H5921] regel [H7272]) signifies not just a physical posture, but a posture of service and readiness to receive a divine commission.

• The 'roll of a book' being written 'within and without' signifies that the message of judgment is complete and inescapable; there is no 'blank side' where mercy might be written.
• The responsibility for the message lies entirely with the prophet, but the outcome of the ministry is in God's hands—the 'knowing' that a prophet was present is a result of God's sovereignty, not necessarily the people's repentance.

• There is no scholarly disagreement on the primary intent, which is a commissioning narrative. However, the nature of the 'eating' the scroll (v. 8) is often discussed as a symbolic act of internalizing the Word, a common prophetic device.