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Ezekiel’s Call
Ezekiel 2:1–10 shows God preparing Ezekiel to receive a hard prophetic task. God makes him stand, sends him to rebellious people, warns him not to fear them, and places before him a sorrowful message.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, God speaks directly to Ezekiel and calls him “son of man”. The Spirit sets him on his feet so he can hear. God then sends him to the children of Israel, describes their rebellion, commands Ezekiel to speak God’s words, and shows him a scroll filled with grief.
Ezekiel 2:1–10Main takeaway
God sends Ezekiel to speak his words faithfully, even when the people are rebellious and the message is heavy.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Made ready to hearGod begins with a command: “Stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” Ezekiel does not stand by his own strength alone, because “the Spirit entered into me” and set him on his feet.
Explanation
God begins with a command: “Stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” Ezekiel does not stand by his own strength alone, because “the Spirit entered into me” and set him on his feet. Then he hears the one speaking. The passage starts with God making his messenger ready to listen.
02Sent to a rebellious peopleGod sends Ezekiel to “the children of Israel” and calls them “a nation of rebels”. Their disobedience stretches on “even to this very day”.
Explanation
God sends Ezekiel to “the children of Israel” and calls them “a nation of rebels”. Their disobedience stretches on “even to this very day”. He also describes them as “impudent and stiff-hearted”. Ezekiel’s message is not his own. He must say, “This is what the Lord Yahweh says.”
03Speak whether they hear or refuseThe people may hear, or they may refuse, yet Ezekiel must still speak God’s words. God says they are “a rebellious house”, but his command does not change.
Explanation
The people may hear, or they may refuse, yet Ezekiel must still speak God’s words. God says they are “a rebellious house”, but his command does not change. Their response is uncertain, while Ezekiel’s task is clear. Through this, they will know that a prophet has been among them.
04Do not fear, and do not join themGod tells Ezekiel not to fear their words or be dismayed at their looks. The pictures of “briers and thorns” and “scorpions” show a hostile setting.
Explanation
God tells Ezekiel not to fear their words or be dismayed at their looks. The pictures of “briers and thorns” and “scorpions” show a hostile setting. Yet the warning is also personal: “Don’t be rebellious like that rebellious house.” Ezekiel must hear what God tells him.
05A scroll full of griefEzekiel sees a hand stretched out with “a scroll of a book”. It is written “within and without”, showing it is full on both sides.
Explanation
Ezekiel sees a hand stretched out with “a scroll of a book”. It is written “within and without”, showing it is full on both sides. Its contents are named plainly: “lamentations, mourning, and woe”. The message Ezekiel is given is serious and sorrowful.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What happens before Ezekiel hears the speaker?
Follow the order in the text: God tells him to stand, the Spirit enters him and sets him on his feet, and then he hears.
02How does God describe the people Ezekiel is sent to?
Collect the passage’s own words, including rebels, transgressed, impudent, stiff-hearted, and rebellious house.
03What two warnings does Ezekiel receive for this task?
Look for one warning about fear and one about becoming rebellious himself.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 2:1–10
1He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.”
2The Spirit entered into me when he spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard him who spoke to me.
3He said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the children of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me even to this very day.
4The children are impudent and stiff-hearted. I am sending you to them, and you shall tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Yahweh says.’
5They, whether they will hear, or whether they will refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that there has been a prophet among them.
6You, son of man, don’t be afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you, and you dwell among scorpions. Don’t be afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.
7You shall speak my words to them, whether they will hear or whether they will refuse; for they are most rebellious.
8But you, son of man, hear what I tell you. Don’t be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth, and eat that which I give you.”
9When I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it.
10He spread it before me. It was written within and without; and lamentations, mourning, and woe were written in it.