Ezekiel 2:1 - Exposition

Son of man, etc. It is noticeable that the phrase ( ben adam ) , as addressed to a prophet, occurs only in Ezekiel, in whom we find it not less than eighty times, and in Daniel 8:17 . As used elsewhere, e.g. in Numbers 23:19 ; Psalms 8:4 ; Job 25:6 ; Isaiah 51:12 ; Isaiah 56:2 , and in Ezekiel's use of it, it is probably connected with the history of Adam, as created from the ground ( adamah ) in Genesis 2:7 ; Genesis 3:19 . The prophet is reminded, in the very moment of his highest inspiration, of his Adam nature with all its infirmity and limitations. In the use of a like phrase ( bar enosh, instead of ben adam ) in Daniel 7:13 we have the same truth implied. There one like unto man in all things is called to share the sovereignty of the "Ancient of Days," the Eternal One. Here the prophet, nothing in himself, is called to be the messenger of God to other sons of men. It is in many ways suggestive that our Lord should have chosen the same formula for constant use when speaking of himself ( Matthew 8:20 , and passim in the Gospels). Stand upon thy feet. The attitude of adoration is changed, by the Divine command, into that of expectant service, that of awe and dread for the courage of a soldier of the Lord of hosts (compare the parallels of Ezekiel 3:24 ; Ezekiel 43:3 , Ezekiel 43:5 ; Daniel 8:18 ).