The Lord had made Ezekiel as hard-nosed as the Israelites; he would not give up speaking to them any more than they would refuse to listen to him. Therefore the prophet should not fear his audience. The meaning of Ezekiel’s name, "God strengthens (or hardens)," reminded the prophet and others that the Lord would strengthen him and harden him against the attacks of his critical enemies. read more
3. The nature of Ezekiel’s ministry 2:8-3:11This pericope contains 10 commands, and it is the center of the chiasm in chapters 1-3."The Lord’s charge to Ezekiel emphasized the absolute necessity of hearing, understanding, and assimilating God’s message prior to going forth as a spokesman for the Lord." [Note: Alexander, "Ezekiel," p. 763.] All the Lord’s representatives must do the same (cf. Ezra 7:10). read more
The Restoration of the Temple WorshipThis chapter describes God’s return to the Temple (Ezekiel 43:1-12), and His directions as to the construction (Ezekiel 43:13-17), and dedication (Ezekiel 43:18-26) of the altar of burnt offering. When these directions were carried out God’s sacrificial intercourse with Israel would be resumed (Ezekiel 43:27). The outer eastern gateway, by which God’s glory returned, was to be permanently shut (Ezekiel 44:1-8).(a) God’s Return to the Temple (Ezekiel... read more
(8) Thy face strong against their faces.—The word strong is the same here as that rendered impudent (marg. stiff) in Ezekiel 3:7. Of course it must have a different shade of meaning in its application to the rebellious people and to the prophet; but the main thought is taken from the figure of horned animals in their contests, and God promises Ezekiel to make him in the struggle stronger than those who oppose him. The same thing is expressed by another figure in Ezekiel 3:9. read more
The Assimilation of Doctrine Ezekiel 3:1 I. The mere swallowing of food is not enough unless it be assimilated and digested; yet it is a necessary condition of digestion. So with our beliefs; we swallow them wholesale by an act of extrinsic faith based on the word of others; and such faith is like the prop that supports a plant till it strikes root downwards and becomes self-supporting. They are not ours fully save in the measure that we have worked them into the fabric of our life and... read more
EZEKIEL’S PROPHETIC COMMISSIONEzekiel 2:1-10; Ezekiel 3:1-27THE call of a prophet and the vision of God which sometimes accompanied it are the two sides of one complex experience. The man who has truly seen God necessarily has a message to men. Not only are his spiritual perceptions quickened and all the powers of his being stirred to the highest activity, but there is laid on his conscience the burden of a sacred duty and a lifelong vocation to the service of God and man. The true prophet... read more
Ezekiel 2:9-10 ; Ezekiel 3:1-14 . Compare the roll here with Zechariah 5:1-4 ; with the one of Revelation 5:1-14 , which the Lamb receives and opens, and the little roll in Revelation 10:9-10 . These rolls have the same meaning, namely, the Word itself, the message of tribulation and judgment, which is written therein. The Word must be received and eaten, that is the spiritual lesson. Ezekiel obeyed. It was self surrender and though the message was a hard message, yet it was sweet unto him.... read more
3:8 Behold, I have made thy {b} face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads.(b) God promises his assistance to his ministers, and that he will give them boldness and constancy in their calling, Isaiah 50:7, Jeremiah 1:18, Micah 3:8 . read more
HIS CALL AND PREPARATION Ezekiel was carried to Babylon with King Jehoiachin, as we gather by comparing Ezekiel 1:1 ; Ezekiel 33:21 ; Ezekiel 40:1 with 2 Kings 24:11-16 ; and lived with the exiles on the river Chebar probably at Tel-abib (Ezekiel 1:1 ; Ezekiel 1:3 ; Ezekiel 3:15 ). Unlike Jeremiah, he was married and had a stated residence (Ezekiel 8:1 ; Ezekiel 24:1 ; Ezekiel 24:18 ). His ministry began in the fifth year of Jehoiachin’s captivity, and seven before the capture of Jerusalem... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 3:8
8. Ezekiel means one "strengthened by God." Such he was in godly firmness, in spite of his people's opposition, according to the divine command to the priest tribe to which he belonged ( :-). read more