Overview

Ezekiel 2 records God’s first direct commission to the prophet Ezekiel. After Ezekiel falls facedown in response to God’s glory in chapter 1, God speaks to him, calling him to stand up and listen. Ezekiel is sent to the people of Israel, who are described as rebellious, obstinate, and stubborn. Though they are in exile because of their sins, they continue to resist God’s commands.

God warns Ezekiel that his message will not be well received. The people will refuse to listen, but Ezekiel is called to be faithful in speaking God’s word regardless of their response. Whether they listen or not, they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Ezekiel is also warned not to be afraid of the people, even though they will oppose him fiercely. God uses vivid language, describing Ezekiel’s calling like living among scorpions and thorns. The message Ezekiel must deliver is a message of judgment – one the people will not want to hear.

The chapter ends with God giving Ezekiel a scroll, covered with words of lament, mourning, and woe. Ezekiel is commanded to eat the scroll, taking God’s word into himself before he can speak it to others.

Theologically, this chapter highlights the authority of God’s word and the authority of Ezekiel’s prophetic calling. Ezekiel does not invent his own message; he is to speak only what God commands. This affirms the doctrine of biblical inerrancy – God’s word is perfect, authoritative, and binding. Ezekiel’s courage in proclaiming the message despite opposition reminds us that the truth of God’s word is not dependent on human approval. God’s word stands true whether people accept it or not.

This chapter also highlights the seriousness of sin and rebellion. Israel’s stubbornness has led to exile, yet they still refuse to repent. Ezekiel’s mission reveals God’s grace in that even rebellious people still receive His prophetic word. God does not abandon them to silence. This shows God’s faithful love even in judgment – He speaks the truth to call His people back.

Historical and Literary Context

Ezekiel 2 takes place within the larger context of the Babylonian exile. By this time, Jerusalem has not yet been fully destroyed, but many leaders, including Ezekiel, have already been taken into captivity in Babylon. Ezekiel’s ministry occurs during this time of crisis, when Israel’s national identity, religious practices, and understanding of God’s presence are all being tested.

Historically, Ezekiel’s audience is made up of exiled Israelites, people who have been forcibly removed from their homeland because of their persistent rebellion against God’s covenant. These people have seen the first wave of God’s judgment, yet they continue to harden their hearts. This is why God describes them in chapter 2 as obstinate and rebellious. They are a people who have consistently resisted the warnings of previous prophets like Jeremiah, and they are continuing to ignore God’s word even in exile.

Literarily, Ezekiel 2 fits within the biblical tradition of prophetic commissioning narratives. Similar to Isaiah’s call in Isaiah 6 and Jeremiah’s call in Jeremiah 1, Ezekiel’s commissioning involves a direct encounter with God, followed by a charge to speak a hard message to a resistant people. This literary pattern emphasizes that true prophetic authority comes not from personal ambition, but from divine appointment.

The imagery of the scroll in this chapter is also significant. The idea of eating a scroll symbolizes internalizing God’s word – making it part of the prophet’s very being. This shows that Ezekiel is not just a messenger delivering external news; he is called to embody the message, carrying God’s word deep within himself. This is a powerful affirmation of the importance of God’s revealed word. Ezekiel is not free to alter it, soften it, or tailor it to his audience’s preferences. He must faithfully consume it and deliver it as given.

Understanding the historical and literary context helps us see that Ezekiel’s call is not an abstract story – it is rooted in real history, real suffering, and real divine revelation. This chapter presents a literal, historical account of how God raised up a prophet in exile to speak to a rebellious people, affirming that God’s word comes into real-world situations with authority and purpose.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points

Ezekiel 2 emphasizes the theme of God’s sovereignty in calling and commissioning His servants. Ezekiel did not volunteer for this role – God sovereignly chose him, spoke to him, and commanded him to stand and listen. This reminds us that God is the one who appoints leaders and prophets. Ministry is not a human career choice; it is a divine calling.

This chapter also highlights the doctrine of biblical authority and inerrancy. Ezekiel’s message does not come from his own thoughts or opinions. He is commanded to speak “the words I give you,” showing that true prophetic ministry rests entirely on God’s revealed word. This underscores the evangelical belief that Scripture is God-breathed, authoritative, and sufficient.

The theme of human sin and rebellion is also central. God’s repeated description of Israel as rebellious, obstinate, and stubborn highlights the reality of human depravity. Even after experiencing judgment, the people persist in their sin. This reinforces the biblical teaching that apart from divine grace, the human heart is hard and resistant to God.

At the same time, the chapter reveals God’s grace in sending a prophet to a rebellious people. Even in judgment, God does not remain silent. He speaks, warns, and calls His people back. This reveals God’s faithful love – a love that does not give up even when His people repeatedly reject Him.

Another key theme is the cost of faithful ministry. Ezekiel is warned that his message will not be well received. His calling will place him in conflict with the very people he is sent to help. This highlights the biblical truth that faithful proclamation of God’s word often brings opposition. True prophets, pastors, and teachers are called to be faithful, not popular.

Finally, the imagery of eating the scroll points to the importance of internalizing God’s word. Before Ezekiel can speak to others, he must take God’s word into himself. This reflects the ongoing biblical teaching that God’s servants must first be shaped by His word before they can minister to others. This is true not only for prophets but for all believers – discipleship begins with taking in the word of God and allowing it to transform our hearts.

In all these themes, Ezekiel 2 affirms essential biblical truths: God’s sovereignty in calling His servants, the authority and inerrancy of His word, the reality of human sin, the grace of divine revelation, the cost of faithful ministry, and the necessity of internalizing God’s truth. These are not just Old Testament concepts; they apply directly to the life of the church today.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis

Ezekiel 2:1

“He said to me, ‘Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.’”

This is the first time Ezekiel is called “son of man,” a title used over ninety times in the book. This title emphasizes Ezekiel’s humanity and weakness in contrast to the glory and majesty of God he just witnessed in chapter 1. God’s first command is for Ezekiel to stand, showing that the prophet must take a posture of readiness to listen and obey. This pattern is found throughout Scripture, where God first speaks to prepare His servants before sending them out (Exodus 3:4, Isaiah 6:8).

This verse teaches the important doctrinal truth that God initiates the call to ministry. Ezekiel does not seek this calling – God speaks first, commanding him to listen and respond. In the same way, New Testament ministry is always initiated by God’s call, not human ambition (Acts 13:2).

Application: When God calls, His servants must stand ready to hear and obey. God is still calling people today – to preach, teach, serve, and witness. The first step is always to listen.

Ezekiel 2:2

“As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.”

Ezekiel does not stand up by his own strength. The Spirit empowers him to stand and equips him to hear. This reveals the vital work of the Holy Spirit in both calling and enabling God’s servants. The same Spirit who came upon the Old Testament prophets is the Spirit who empowers all believers today (Acts 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:7).

This verse teaches the doctrine of divine empowerment. Human strength is not enough for the work of ministry – it must be done by the power of the Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). This also reflects the broader biblical teaching that spiritual understanding comes through the Spirit’s work in the heart (1 Corinthians 2:12).

Application: If God calls you to a task, He will empower you for that task. The Spirit who raised Ezekiel is the same Spirit who equips believers today for obedience and ministry.

Ezekiel 2:3

“He said: ‘Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day.’”

Here God clarifies the nature of Ezekiel’s mission. He is sent not to a receptive audience but to a stubborn and rebellious people. This is a sobering reminder that ministry is not always fruitful in human terms. Faithfulness to God’s call matters more than results.

This verse affirms the doctrine of human depravity. Israel’s rebellion is not a one-time event but a generational pattern stretching back to their ancestors. This reflects Romans 3:23 – all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.

Application: Faithfulness in ministry is not measured by human success but by obedience to God’s command. Believers today are called to speak truth even when it is unpopular.

Ezekiel 2:4-5

“The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ And whether they listen or fail to listen-for they are a rebellious people-they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

God emphasizes Israel’s hardness of heart, yet Ezekiel is still commanded to speak God’s word. This reinforces the authority of divine revelation – the message comes from the Sovereign Lord, not from Ezekiel. God’s word does not depend on human acceptance to be true. Whether they listen or not, God’s truth stands.

This passage affirms the doctrine of biblical authority. God’s word carries authority regardless of how people respond (Isaiah 55:11). It also teaches that prophets, preachers, and believers today are called to bear witness to God’s truth, trusting God with the results.

Application: Speak God’s truth faithfully, whether people welcome it or reject it. Our job is to proclaim the word; God handles the outcome.

Ezekiel 2:6

“And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.”

God warns Ezekiel that his audience will be hostile. Their rejection will be painful, like living among thorns and scorpions. Yet God commands Ezekiel not to fear. This call to courage is echoed throughout Scripture (Joshua 1:9, 2 Timothy 1:7), showing that fear of people must never outweigh fear of God.

This teaches the doctrine of divine courage – God supplies boldness to those He calls. It also reveals the cost of faithful ministry – Ezekiel will suffer for proclaiming the truth. Jesus teaches the same principle when He warns His disciples they will be hated for His sake (John 15:18-20).

Application: When fear of rejection or opposition tempts you to stay silent, remember that obedience to God matters more than human approval. Boldness comes from trusting God’s presence, not from natural confidence.

Ezekiel 2:7

“You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.”

Ezekiel is not called to invent his own message or adjust it to make it more appealing. He must speak exactly what God commands, regardless of how the people respond. This is a clear affirmation of the doctrine of verbal inspiration – the prophet speaks God’s exact words, not his own ideas.

This reinforces the truth found in 2 Timothy 4:2, where Paul tells Timothy to preach the word “in season and out of season.” The truth does not change to fit human preferences.

Application: Faithful ministry means proclaiming the whole counsel of God, not just the parts that people want to hear. God’s servants must speak the truth in love, but never compromise the message.

Ezekiel 2:8-10

“But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.”

Before Ezekiel can speak to others, he must first receive God’s word into himself. Eating the scroll symbolizes internalizing the message – making it part of his own heart before delivering it to others. This is similar to how God’s word is described as sweet to the taste in Psalm 119:103, but also how it can be bitter when it contains judgment (Revelation 10:9-10).

The scroll’s message is one of lament and mourning – judgment is coming because of Israel’s sin. This shows that faithful ministry sometimes involves delivering hard truths, not just comforting words.

This passage affirms the importance of personal devotion to God’s word for anyone in ministry. A preacher, teacher, or Christian witness cannot speak truthfully to others unless they have first allowed God’s word to penetrate their own heart. It also underscores the reality that God’s word contains both grace and judgment – to proclaim one without the other is to distort the message.

Application: Before you can share God’s word with others, you must let it shape your own life. Internalize Scripture through study, prayer, and meditation. Be willing to speak both the comforting and convicting parts of God’s truth.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ

Ezekiel 2 points directly to Jesus Christ as the ultimate Prophet, the One sent by God to speak the truth to a rebellious people. Just as Ezekiel was sent to Israel knowing they would resist his message, Jesus came to His own people, and they did not receive Him (John 1:11). Ezekiel stood among thorns and scorpions, facing rejection and hostility, and Jesus experienced the same rejection, ultimately being despised, rejected, and crucified (Isaiah 53:3). Ezekiel was commanded to speak God’s word faithfully, whether the people listened or not, and Jesus likewise spoke the truth regardless of the crowd’s response (John 8:45). Ezekiel’s call to eat the scroll, taking God’s word deep into himself before speaking it, also points to Jesus, the Word made flesh, who embodied the fullness of God’s truth in His very life (John 1:14). The broader redemptive story is present here because this prophetic commission highlights God’s ongoing pattern of sending messengers to call people back to Himself – a pattern that culminates in Christ, the final and perfect Prophet who not only speaks the word but is Himself the Word. Through Jesus, God’s ultimate message of salvation, judgment, and restoration is fully revealed.

How the Chapter Connects to the Father

This chapter reveals the Father as the sovereign sender, the One who calls and commissions His servants to proclaim His truth. The Father chooses Ezekiel, speaks directly to him, and gives him the words to say. This reflects the Father’s ongoing work throughout redemptive history – sending messengers, calling people back to covenant faithfulness, and revealing His heart through His word (Hebrews 1:1-2). The Father’s authority is clear as He repeatedly commands Ezekiel to speak “what I say to you,” showing that prophetic authority comes directly from the sovereign Lord, not from human wisdom. The Father’s justice is also revealed as He calls Ezekiel to announce judgment on rebellious Israel. Yet, even in this judgment, the Father’s mercy shines through because He does not leave His people in silence but graciously sends His prophet to confront their sin and offer a way back. This shows the Father’s relentless pursuit of His covenant people, even in their rebellion.

Show how the chapter connects to the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is present and active in this chapter from the very beginning, empowering Ezekiel for his calling. It is the Spirit who comes into Ezekiel, enabling him to stand and hear God’s word. This shows that the Spirit is not only the One who inspires the message, but also the One who strengthens God’s servants to deliver it. This reflects the Spirit’s ongoing work throughout Scripture, empowering prophets, apostles, and believers to speak the truth with boldness (Micah 3:8, Acts 4:31). The Spirit’s role in lifting Ezekiel to his feet teaches that no one can stand and serve God in their own strength – it is the Spirit who makes ministry possible. This also points forward to the Spirit’s work in believers today, who are all called to be witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8). The same Spirit who filled Ezekiel now fills the Church, giving courage to proclaim the gospel in a world just as rebellious and resistant as ancient Israel.

Connection to God’s Love

Ezekiel 2 reveals God’s love through His willingness to send a prophet to rebellious people. Israel has rejected God again and again, yet God does not give up. Instead of abandoning them to silence and judgment, God sends His word once more, giving them another opportunity to repent. This shows that God’s love is persistent – He continually reaches out to sinners even when they harden their hearts against Him. God’s love is also seen in the personal care He shows to Ezekiel. He empowers him through the Spirit, prepares him for opposition, and reminds him not to be afraid. This reveals that God’s love sustains His servants, giving them the strength to endure hardship for the sake of His message. Ultimately, this love points forward to Jesus, the ultimate Prophet sent in love to a rebellious world. God so loved the world that He sent His Son, knowing He would be rejected, but offering salvation to all who would believe (John 3:16). Ezekiel’s commission is an act of divine love – tough love, calling sinners to repentance – but love nonetheless, because God’s purpose is always restoration, not destruction. Even when His words bring lament and mourning, they are words sent in love, designed to awaken hearts and bring His people back into fellowship with Him.

Sermon Outline and Flow

Title: “Faithful in a Rebellious World: The Calling of God’s Servants”

Introduction:

Begin with a question that engages the audience: What would you do if God called you to speak truth to people who didn’t want to hear it? Share a brief story – maybe about a Christian student asked to defend their faith in a hostile classroom, or a believer called to share the gospel with a resistant family member. Transition to Ezekiel 2, where God calls Ezekiel to do exactly that: proclaim His word to a rebellious people, even though they will not want to hear it.

Point 1: God Calls His Servants to Stand and Listen (Ezekiel 2:1-2)

• Transition: Before Ezekiel can speak for God, he must listen to God.
• Explanation: God calls Ezekiel “Son of man,” emphasizing that Ezekiel is just a man – weak and dependent on God. Ezekiel can only stand and hear God’s word because the Spirit empowers him. This shows that all true ministry starts with God’s call and God’s enabling. Ezekiel’s calling is not about his talents but about God’s authority.
• Application: Every believer is called to stand and listen. Before you can speak for God in your home, workplace, or community, you must first hear from God. This means daily time in Scripture, quiet time in prayer, and a heart tuned to His voice.
• Example: Think of a firefighter who must first receive training before running into a burning building. In the same way, God’s servants must be trained by His word before they speak.

Point 2: God’s Servants Speak a Hard but Necessary Truth (Ezekiel 2:3-7)

• Transition: Once Ezekiel stands, God gives him his assignment – and it’s not an easy one.
• Explanation: Ezekiel is sent to rebellious people, not open seekers. God warns him that they will resist, but that’s not Ezekiel’s concern. His job is to speak God’s word faithfully, whether they listen or not. This highlights God’s authority over the message and the messenger. It also shows God’s love – He speaks even when people don’t want to listen.
• Application: God still calls His people to speak the truth today, even when the world resists. Parents must speak truth to rebellious children. Christians must stand for biblical truth in a culture that wants to rewrite morality. The goal isn’t popularity, but faithfulness.
• Example: Imagine a doctor who knows his patient won’t want to hear the diagnosis, but the doctor speaks anyway because they care about the patient’s life. That’s what faithful Christians must do – speak the truth because love demands it.

Point 3: God’s Servants Must Internalize His Word First (Ezekiel 2:8-10)

• Transition: Before Ezekiel speaks to anyone else, God commands him to eat the scroll.
• Explanation: Eating the scroll means taking God’s word deep into his own heart. Ezekiel must not just repeat God’s words; he must live them, believe them, and embody them. The scroll contains hard words – lament, mourning, and woe – but Ezekiel must consume all of it. This shows that God’s messengers don’t get to pick and choose the parts of God’s word they like. They must take it all.
• Application: Before you can share God’s truth with your children, coworkers, or neighbors, you must take it into your own life. If God’s word hasn’t changed you, it won’t be credible when you speak it to others. Internalizing Scripture is the foundation for every faithful witness.
• Example: This is like a chef who refuses to serve a dish they haven’t tasted themselves. If you wouldn’t eat it, why would you offer it to someone else? God’s word must feed your own soul before you can feed others.

Conclusion and Call to Action:

Ezekiel’s call reminds every Christian that God is still calling His people to stand, listen, speak truth, and live out His word in a rebellious world. The world may resist, but faithfulness is not measured by popularity – it’s measured by obedience.

Call to Action: Ask the congregation to examine their own lives:

• Are you regularly standing before God to hear His voice?
• Are you willing to speak truth even when it’s unpopular?
• Are you internalizing God’s word so it shapes your heart before it comes out of your mouth?

Challenge them to spend time this week in God’s word, asking Him to speak to their own hearts before they speak to others. Close with a prayer asking God to raise up a generation of Ezekiels – men and women who will be faithful in a rebellious world.

Illustrations and Examples

• The Firefighter Example: Firefighters don’t just run into burning buildings untrained. They stand before instructors, receive clear commands, and prepare for the reality of danger. In the same way, God calls His people to stand before Him, receive His word, and prepare for opposition.
• The Doctor Example: Imagine a doctor who discovers a life-threatening condition in a patient but hesitates to speak up because the patient might not want to hear it. That’s not love – that’s neglect. True love speaks the hard truth because life depends on it. That’s Ezekiel’s calling, and it’s ours too.
• The Chef Example: A chef who serves a dish they’ve never tasted is irresponsible. If you don’t eat God’s word yourself, how can you offer it to others? Internalizing Scripture is not optional – it’s the foundation of faithful ministry.
• A Personal Story Example: Share about a time you knew God was asking you to speak truth to someone – a friend living in sin, a family member resisting the gospel, or a coworker caught in destructive choices. Talk about the tension you felt and how Ezekiel’s example encourages boldness rooted in love.

Application for Today’s Christian

First, every Christian needs to stand before God daily to hear His word. This means making time for regular Bible reading, prayer, and listening for the Spirit’s guidance. If you want to be faithful in a rebellious world, you must first be faithful in the secret place before God.

Second, Christians need to prepare for opposition when they speak the truth. Whether you are teaching your children biblical values, sharing the gospel at work, or standing for truth in public conversations, expect resistance. But do not fear – God’s approval matters more than human applause.

Third, believers must fully internalize God’s word before they try to share it with others. If you want your children, friends, or neighbors to take God’s truth seriously, they need to see that you take it seriously first. This means applying Scripture to your own life, allowing it to confront your own sin, shape your values, and guide your decisions.

Fourth, Christians must embrace the whole counsel of God, not just the comfortable parts. The scroll Ezekiel ate contained lament, mourning, and woe – not just blessing and comfort. In the same way, Christians are called to proclaim the full message of Scripture, including truths about sin, judgment, repentance, and grace. A watered-down message is not faithful ministry.

Finally, Christians should see opposition as part of faithful witness, not a sign of failure. Ezekiel was warned that the people would resist, but that resistance did not mean Ezekiel failed. In fact, faithfulness is often proven in the face of opposition. When you are faithful to speak the truth, even when rejected, you stand in a long line of prophets, apostles, and ultimately, Jesus Himself.

In practical terms, this means:

• Regular Bible reading with a heart open to conviction and instruction.
• Praying for courage to speak truth in conversations with family, coworkers, and friends.
• Asking God to make you not only a hearer of the word, but a doer – someone whose life reflects the truth you proclaim.
• Trusting that faithfulness to God matters more than human approval, and that even when the world resists, God sees and rewards faithful obedience.

Reflection Questions

1. In Ezekiel 2, God calls Ezekiel to stand and listen before sending him to speak. How much time do you spend standing before God, listening to His word and voice, before you speak to others about Him? What could you do to make listening to God a greater priority in your daily life?
2. God sends Ezekiel to speak truth to people who do not want to hear it. Have you ever felt called to speak God’s truth in a situation where you knew it would be unpopular? How did you respond? What can you learn from Ezekiel’s obedience, even in the face of resistance?
3. Ezekiel is warned that the people will be rebellious and resistant. How do you tend to respond when you face opposition for your faith? Do you shy away from speaking the truth, or do you trust God to give you courage? How can you grow in boldness?
4. Before Ezekiel could speak God’s message, he had to eat the scroll – taking God’s word deep into his own heart. How are you currently internalizing God’s word? Are you allowing it to shape your thoughts, decisions, and values, or is it something you only hear on Sundays?
5. The scroll Ezekiel eats contains words of lament, mourning, and woe. This reminds us that God’s word sometimes contains hard truths. Are there parts of God’s word you tend to avoid because they are uncomfortable? How can you develop a more complete understanding of the full counsel of God?
6. Ezekiel’s faithfulness is measured not by how people respond, but by whether he obeys God’s command. How do you typically measure success in your Christian life? Do you focus more on people’s approval or God’s approval? What would it look like to live with a heart fully set on pleasing God?
7. God commands Ezekiel not to fear the people or their words. What fears keep you from being bold in your faith? What promises from Scripture can help you overcome fear and trust God’s presence and power?