Ezekiel 2

Chapter Summary

In Ezekiel 2, God gives Ezekiel a scroll with words of lamentation, mourning, and woe, which Ezekiel is to eat and then speak to the Israelites. God tells Ezekiel that the people will be rebellious, but he must still speak God's words to them. Ezekiel is then transported by the Spirit to the exiles in Tel-abib, where he sits among them in stunned silence for seven days. The chapter ends with God telling Ezekiel to speak His words to the people, whether they listen or not, and that Ezekiel will be held accountable for their response. Key verses include Ezekiel 2:1-2, where God addresses Ezekiel as 'son of man,' and Ezekiel 2:3-4, where God commissions Ezekiel to speak to the rebellious house of Israel.

Context for the Chapter

Ezekiel 2 is part of the larger narrative of the book of Ezekiel, which is a collection of prophetic messages given to the Israelites in Babylon. The chapter follows Ezekiel's call and commissioning in chapter 1, and sets the stage for the rest of the book, which includes messages of judgment, redemption, and restoration. In the larger biblical narrative, Ezekiel 2 contributes to the story of God's relationship with His people, emphasizing His sovereignty, their rebellion, and His desire to redeem them.

Heart Application

As we read Ezekiel 2, we are reminded of God's sovereignty and our role as messengers of His words. We are called to speak God's truth to a rebellious world, regardless of the response. May we be faithful to this calling, trusting in God's power and redemption, and may our hearts be filled with a desire to obey and serve Him.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Ezekiel 2 is about God calling the prophet Ezekiel to speak to the Israelites in Babylon. God gives Ezekiel a message of judgment and redemption, and tells him to speak it to the people, whether they listen or not. This chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty and our role as messengers of His words. As we read Ezekiel 2:1-7, we are reminded of God's desire to communicate with His people and our responsibility to obey and serve Him.

Voices from the Church

“The prophet Ezekiel was called to speak to a rebellious people, and so are we. May we be faithful to this calling, trusting in God's power and redemption.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“God's sovereignty is emphasized throughout Ezekiel 2, as He commissions Ezekiel to speak His words to the people. This highlights God's control over all things, including the response of the Israelites.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. The Call of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 2:1-3) — God addresses Ezekiel as 'son of man' and gives him a scroll with words of lamentation, mourning, and woe.
2. The Commissioning of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 2:4-5) — God commissions Ezekiel to speak His words to the rebellious house of Israel, whether they hear or refuse to hear.
3. The Reaction of the People (Ezekiel 2:6-7) — The people will be rebellious, but Ezekiel must still speak God's words to them, and he will be held accountable for their response.
4. The Prophet's Responsibility (Ezekiel 2:8-10) — Ezekiel is told to eat the scroll and speak God's words to the people, and he is held accountable for their response.
5. The Prophet's Obedience (Ezekiel 2:1-10) — Ezekiel obeys God's command, eating the scroll and speaking God's words to the people, demonstrating his faithfulness to God's calling.

Core Doctrines

Sovereignty of God

Ezekiel 2 emphasizes God's sovereignty, as He commissions Ezekiel to speak His words to the people and controls their response.

Human Responsibility

The chapter also emphasizes human responsibility, as Ezekiel is held accountable for the people's response to God's words.

Redemption

The message of redemption is central to Ezekiel 2, as God calls the people to repentance and faith through Ezekiel's prophetic ministry.

Faithfulness

Ezekiel's faithfulness to God's calling is a key doctrine in this chapter, as he obeys God's command to speak His words to the people.

Lessons from Ezekiel 2

1. The Importance of Obedience — Ezekiel 2 teaches us the importance of obedience to God's calling, as Ezekiel faithfully speaks God's words to the people.
2. The Power of God's Word — The chapter emphasizes the power of God's Word, as it is able to bring redemption and restoration to the people.
3. The Role of the Prophet — Ezekiel 2 highlights the role of the prophet as a messenger of God's words, and the importance of faithfulness to this calling.
4. The Sovereignty of God — The chapter teaches us about the sovereignty of God, as He controls all things, including the response of the Israelites to His words.
5. The Message of Redemption — Ezekiel 2 contributes to the larger biblical narrative of God's relationship with His people, emphasizing the message of redemption and restoration.

Themes from Ezekiel 2

1. God's Sovereignty — Ezekiel 2 emphasizes God's sovereignty, as He commissions Ezekiel to speak His words to the people and controls their response.
2. Human Responsibility — The chapter also emphasizes human responsibility, as Ezekiel is held accountable for the people's response to God's words.
3. Redemption — The message of redemption is central to Ezekiel 2, as God calls the people to repentance and faith through Ezekiel's prophetic ministry.
4. Faithfulness — Ezekiel's faithfulness to God's calling is a key theme in this chapter, as he obeys God's command to speak His words to the people.
5. The Power of God's Word — The chapter emphasizes the power of God's Word, as it is able to bring redemption and restoration to the people.

Questions for Meditation

1. What is the main theme of Ezekiel 2, and how does it relate to the rest of the book?
2. How does Ezekiel's call and commissioning in Ezekiel 2 relate to our own role as messengers of God's words?
3. What does the chapter teach us about God's sovereignty, and how does this impact our understanding of human responsibility?
4. How does the message of redemption in Ezekiel 2 contribute to the larger biblical narrative of God's relationship with His people?
5. What lessons can we learn from Ezekiel's faithfulness to God's calling, and how can we apply these to our own lives?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Ezekiel 2

	Sermon	Description
	Ezekiel by Jacob Prasch	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the passage from the book of Ezekiel where the prophet is instructed to eat a scroll and speak to the house of Israel. The preacher emphasiz
	(Titus - Part 5): His Word Manifested Through Preaching by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the imperfection of preaching due to the involvement of language. He explains that language is fluid and can have different meanings in diff
	Breaking the Bondage of an Ungodly Heritage by Don Wilkerson	In this sermon, the speaker addresses the concept of breaking the chains of an ungodly heritage. He criticizes the idea that individuals are not personally responsible for their ac
	Kashrut and Famine by Jacob Prasch	In this sermon, the preacher begins by describing a vision where a tablecloth comes down from the sky containing various animals and a voice instructs Peter to kill and eat them. T
	He Will Soon Rejoice in His Love by Carter Conlon	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God will do a work in believers, helping them understand true strength and truth. He assures that with this understanding, believers wi
	The Persistent Purpose of God - Part 3 by T. Austin-Sparks	In this sermon, the speaker begins by suggesting a method for the audience to better engage with the message. He then provides a broad outline of the book being discussed, acknowle
	The Call of God to Preach and Its Consequences by Keith Daniel	In this sermon, the speaker shares powerful stories of individuals who were called by God and willingly gave their lives to reach souls. He emphasizes the importance of not becomin
	The Persistent Purpose of God - Part 7 by T. Austin-Sparks	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of a watchman's role in understanding and proclaiming God's message. He explains that there are three key elements to this rol
	The Great Commission - the Impossible / Possible Task by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preaching God's word without mixing it with our own ideas or clever narrations. He emphasizes the need for preachers to sp
	The Throne of God and of the Lamb by Stanley Voke	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of worshiping God as the Creator. He emphasizes that everything in the universe, including ourselves, was made for God's pleasure

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Ezekiel 2

In his commentary on Ezekiel 2, Matthew Henry emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God's calling, as seen in Ezekiel's obedience to speak God's words to the rebellious house of Israel. Henry notes that God's sovereignty is emphasized throughout the chapter, as He commissions Ezekiel to speak His words to the people and controls their response. The chapter also highlights the power of God's Word, as it is able to bring redemption and restoration to the people. Henry encourages readers to be faithful to their own calling, trusting in God's power and redemption, and to speak His words to a rebellious world, regardless of the response. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?