Ezekiel was to go to the Israelites and tell them exactly what the Lord had revealed to him. They would be able to understand him because they spoke the same language as the prophet. God was not sending him to people who could not comprehend what he would tell them. The Israelites should listen to him because they could understand him. 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
(5) To a people of a strange speech.—In Ezekiel 3:4-7 it is emphasised that Ezekiel’s immediate mission is to be, like that of his great Antitype, to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel; “and yet that they would not give the heed to him which men far below them in spiritual privilege would have gladly yielded. Similar facts are continually encountered in the Scriptures, whether in its histories, as in those of Naaman the Syrian, of the faith of the Syro-Phœnician woman (Matthew 15:21-28),... 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
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
Ezekiel's Commission Ezekiel 2:0 , Ezekiel 3:0 From beginning to end the Book of Ezekiel may be regarded as a series of divine visions, or one vision presented in many varying aspects. The second and third chapters, which give an account of Ezekiel's call to his office, ought to be read through as one chapter. We are to understand that although Ezekiel changed from place to place, yet the vision was substantially the same. The prophet is constantly receiving fresh instructions, but the... read more
I beg the Reader to pause again and again, while going through the very solemn service of Ezekiel's ordination. What an idea doth it awaken in the mind of its importance. Though the Lord Jesus himself is the Bishop who layeth on hands: yet no haste is observed. With what earnestness is the Prophet reminded of his charge! Eating and feeling the effects of the roll, plainly set forth, how God's word is to be received, as well by ministers as people. The preacher that doth not first preach his... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 3:6
6. many people—It would have increased the difficulty had he been sent, not merely to one, but to "many people" differing in tongues, so that the missionary would have needed to acquire a new tongue for addressing each. The after mission of the apostles to many peoples, and the gift of tongues for that end, are foreshadowed (compare 1 Corinthians 14:21; Isaiah 28:11). had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened— (Matthew 11:21; Matthew 11:23). read more