2 So I opened H6605 my mouth, H6310 and he caused me to eat H398 that roll. H4039
3 And he said H559 unto me, Son H1121 of man, H120 cause thy belly H990 to eat, H398 and fill H4390 thy bowels H4578 with this roll H4039 that I give H5414 thee. Then did I eat H398 it; and it was in my mouth H6310 as honey H1706 for sweetness. H4966
4 And he said H559 unto me, Son H1121 of man, H120 go, H3212 get H935 thee unto the house H1004 of Israel, H3478 and speak H1696 with my words H1697 unto them.
5 For thou art not sent H7971 to a people H5971 of a strange H6012 speech H8193 and of an hard H3515 language, H3956 but to the house H1004 of Israel; H3478
6 Not to many H7227 people H5971 of a strange H6012 speech H8193 and of an hard H3515 language, H3956 whose words H1697 thou canst not understand. H8085 Surely, had I sent H7971 thee to them, they would have hearkened H8085 unto thee.
7 But the house H1004 of Israel H3478 will H14 not hearken H8085 unto thee; for they will H14 not hearken H8085 unto me: for all the house H1004 of Israel H3478 are impudent H2389 H4696 and hardhearted. H7186 H3820
8 Behold, I have made H5414 thy face H6440 strong H2389 against H5980 their faces, H6440 and thy forehead H4696 strong H2389 against H5980 their foreheads. H4696
9 As an adamant H8068 harder H2389 than flint H6864 have I made H5414 thy forehead: H4696 fear H3372 them not, neither be dismayed H2865 at their looks, H6440 though they be a rebellious H4805 house. H1004
10 Moreover he said H559 unto me, Son H1121 of man, H120 all my words H1697 that I shall speak H1696 unto thee receive H3947 in thine heart, H3824 and hear H8085 with thine ears. H241
11 And go, H3212 get H935 thee to them of the captivity, H1473 unto the children H1121 of thy people, H5971 and speak H1696 unto them, and tell H559 them, Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 whether they will hear, H8085 or whether they will forbear. H2308
12 Then the spirit H7307 took me up, H5375 and I heard H8085 behind H310 me a voice H6963 of a great H1419 rushing, H7494 saying, Blessed H1288 be the glory H3519 of the LORD H3068 from his place. H4725
13 I heard also the noise H6963 of the wings H3671 of the living creatures H2416 that touched H5401 one H802 another, H269 and the noise H6963 of the wheels H212 over against H5980 them, and a noise H6963 of a great H1419 rushing. H7494
14 So the spirit H7307 lifted me up, H5375 and took me away, H3947 and I went H3212 in bitterness, H4751 in the heat H2534 of my spirit; H7307 but the hand H3027 of the LORD H3068 was strong H2388 upon me.
15 Then I came H935 to them of the captivity H1473 at Telabib, H8512 that dwelt H3427 by the river H5104 of Chebar, H3529 and I sat H3427 where they sat, H3427 and remained H3427 there astonished H8074 among H8432 them seven H7651 days. H3117
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Ezekiel 3
Commentary on Ezekiel 3 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 3
In this chapter we have the further preparation of the prophet for the work to which God called him.
Eze 3:1-15
These verses are fitly joined by some translators to the foregoing chapter, as being of a piece with it and a continuation of the same vision. The prophets received the word from God that they might deliver it to the people of God, furnished themselves that they might furnish them with the knowledge of the mind and will of God. Now here the prophet is taught,
Eze 3:16-21
These further instructions God gave to the prophet at the end of seven days, that is, on the seventh day after the vision he had; and it is very probably that both that and this were on the sabbath day, which the house of Israel, even in their captivity, observed as well as they could in those circumstances. We do not find that their conquerors and oppressors tied them to any constant service, as their Egyptian task-masters had formerly done, but that they might observe the sabbath-rest for a sign to distinguish between them and their neighbours; but for the sabbath-work they had not the convenience of temple or synagogue, only it should seem they had a place by the river side where prayer was wont to be made (as Acts 16:13); there they met on the sabbath day; there their enemies upbraided them with the songs of Zion (Ps. 137:1, 3); there Ezekiel met them, and the word of the Lord then and there came to him. He that had been musing and meditating on the things of God all the week was fit to speak to the people in God's name on the sabbath day, and disposed to hear God speak to him. This sabbath day Ezekiel was not so honoured with visions of the glory of God as he had been the sabbath before; but he is plainly, and by a very common similitude, told his duty, which he is to communicate to the people. Note, Raptures and transports of joy are not the daily bread of God's children, however they may upon special occasions be feasted with them. We must not deny but that we have truly communion with God (1 Jn. 1:3) though we have it not always so sensibly as at some times. And, though the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven may sometimes be looked into, yet ordinarily it is plain preaching that is most for edification. God here tells the prophet what his office was, and what the duty of that office; and this (we may suppose) he was to tell the people, that they might attend to what he said and improve it accordingly. Note, It is good for people to know and consider what a charge their ministers have of them and what an account they must shortly give of that charge. Observe,
Eze 3:22-27
After all this large and magnificent discovery which God had made of himself to the prophet, and the full instructions he had given him how to deal with those to whom he sent him with an ample commission, we should have expected presently to see him preaching the word of God to a great congregation of Israel; but here we find it quite otherwise. his work here, at first, seems not at all proportionable to the pomp of his call.