< Ezekiel 2 >

In the first chapter Ezekiel was shown a glorious vision of God manifested in Jesus and the saints, and when he saw the glory of the LORD he fell on his face and a voice spoke to him. Ezekiel 1:28Ezekiel 1:28XWaiting for response He was told to stand on his feet, v.1Ezekiel 2:1XWaiting for response then the Spirit of the LORD entered into him v.2Ezekiel 2:2XWaiting for response and he was informed that he was to be sent as a prophet to the rebellious nation of Israel.vs.3-5Ezekiel 2:3-5XWaiting for response He was to give them God’s message, whether they would listen or not.v.5Ezekiel 2:5XWaiting for response This illustrates the relationship between the LORD and his prophets, many of whom wrote the scriptures we possess. He inspired them, giving them his word to speak, so that the message was not their own, but his. Therefore, the Bible, though actually recorded by men, is the word of God and should be treated as such.

The prophets often had to deliver God’s message in the face of violent opposition but they had God’s protection and were exhorted not to fear what men could do to them but to fearlessly deliver his word.

Ezekiel was also required to perform certain physical acts to reinforce God’s message, e.g. he was given a scroll on which was written God’s judgments against Israel vs.9-10Ezekiel 2:9-10XWaiting for response and told to eat it to indicate that he had fully assimilated God’s word and would speak it to the people.