Verse 3
3. Ezekiel God is strong (Kuenen). Because of this all too brief biographical sketch, and because of Ezekiel’s reticence regarding himself, many have supposed that nothing can be known of this great prophet excepting the name of his father, and the fact that he was a priest of the family of Zadok; but such visions only come to the prepared man. Only the pure in heart can see God. (See Introduction, “IV. Ezekiel’s Personality.”)
The priest This shows his training, education, environment, and natural prejudices. Buzi, Ezekiel’s father, is known to us only through his illustrious son. Did he also dream dreams and see visions? When God wants to make a great man he usually begins with his parents and grandparents.
The hand of the Lord The hand that is under the throbbing earth is upon him (Ezekiel 8:3; Ezekiel 10:8). The universe feels the touch of Omnipotence; why should not man? This is a strong figure to show that the prophet spoke and acted not of his own will, but because of a controlling divine power. Ezekiel, like Jeremiah and Moses (Jeremiah 1:6; Exodus 3:11), felt that he could not take up the work of a prophet, but God’s hand turned him to his duty.
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