Chapter 2
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.
2And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.
3And 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.
4For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD.
5And 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.
6And 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.
7And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
8But 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.
9And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;
10And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.
“And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.”
Overview
God addresses Ezekiel as 'son of man' and commissions him to speak to the rebellious house of Israel, whether they hear or refuse to hear. He is told not to fear their faces or their words, though they are briars, thorns, and scorpions. A hand extends to him a scroll written on both sides with lamentations, mourning, and woe, which he is commanded to eat before speaking to the people.
Key Themes
Commissioned to the Rebellious
Ezekiel is sent not to a foreign people of unknown language but to Israel — a rebellious, stiff-hearted people who have transgressed against God to this very day.
Do Not Fear Their Faces
God repeatedly commands Ezekiel not to be afraid of the people's hostile response — the prophet's duty is to deliver the message, not to guarantee its reception.
The Scroll of Lamentations
The scroll written on both sides with woe signifies that Ezekiel's message will be predominantly one of judgment — the word he must eat and speak is bitter medicine.
Study Questions
Why does God address Ezekiel as 'son of man' (v. 1), and what does this title signify?
What does God's acknowledgment that Israel 'will not hearken' (v. 7) teach about prophetic calling despite expected rejection?
How does the command not to fear (vv. 6-7) equip Ezekiel for his ministry?
What is the significance of the scroll being written on both sides (v. 10)?
How does the image of briars, thorns, and scorpions (v. 6) describe the hostility Ezekiel will face?
Connection to Christ
The title 'son of man' — used over ninety times for Ezekiel — is the very title Jesus chooses for Himself, identifying with humanity while carrying divine authority. Like Ezekiel, Christ was sent to His own rebellious people, and like Ezekiel, He spoke whether they received His word or not.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Ezekiel 2. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?