Who is the "son of man" in this passage and why is he called that?

Here the “son of man” is Ezekiel. God uses this name to remind him that he is only a man, weak and limited, even though he has seen a great vision. It keeps him humble as he stands before a holy God. The title also shows that God is the one with all authority, while Ezekiel is the servant who must listen and obey. By calling him “son of man,” God ties him to the people he is sent to, showing that he is not above them, but one of them, sent to speak God’s words.

What does it mean that the Spirit entered into Ezekiel and set him on his feet?

When the passage says the Spirit entered into Ezekiel and set him on his feet, it shows that Ezekiel could not even stand and listen to God in his own strength. God’s command, “stand upon thy feet,” is joined with the power to obey, as the Spirit lifts him up. This teaches that God does not just give hard tasks, He also gives the help needed to do them. For anyone serving God, this scene shows that real strength to hear and speak God’s word comes from the Spirit, not from ourselves.

Why does God call Israel a rebellious house with impudent and stiffhearted children?

God calls Israel a “rebellious house” and “impudent children and stiffhearted” because they have long resisted His commands. Their fathers and they themselves have broken His covenant “even unto this very day.” “Impudent” points to shameless, stubborn faces that are not moved by sin. “Stiffhearted” points to hard hearts that will not bend to God’s will. By using these strong words, God is warning Ezekiel that his listeners will be difficult and proud, so he will not be surprised when many refuse to hear. Yet he must still speak God’s words to them.

What does "whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear" teach about Ezekiel’s mission?

The phrase “whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear” shows that Ezekiel’s main duty is to speak God’s words, not to control how people respond. God tells him ahead of time that the people are rebellious and may refuse to listen. Still, Ezekiel must say, “Thus saith the Lord GOD.” This means faithfulness is measured by obedience, not by visible success. In the end, the people will know that a prophet has been among them, so they cannot say they were never warned. The message will either lead to repentance or leave them without excuse.

Why is Ezekiel told not to fear briers, thorns, and scorpions around him?

The briers, thorns, and scorpions picture the harsh treatment and painful opposition Ezekiel will meet among the people. Their words, threats, and angry looks will sting like thorns and scorpions. God tells him not to be afraid of their words or their faces, even though they are a rebellious house. This shows that serving God can be painful and lonely, but fear must not rule His servant. Ezekiel is to focus on God who sends him, not on the dangers around him, and to keep speaking God’s words in the middle of a hostile crowd.

What is the meaning of Ezekiel being told to eat the scroll filled with lamentations, mourning, and woe?

When God tells Ezekiel to open his mouth and eat the scroll, He is showing that the prophet must take God’s message deep into himself before he speaks it out. The scroll is written inside and outside with “lamentations, and mourning, and woe,” pointing to heavy words of judgment over sin. By eating it, Ezekiel accepts this hard message as his own task. He is not free to change it or soften it; he must speak what God has given. It reminds us that God’s word can be painful, because it exposes sin and warns of coming judgment.

What was happening with Israel when God sent Ezekiel with this message?

At this time many of the people of Israel were in exile, taken away from their land because of long-standing sin against God. Yet even in judgment, God still calls them a “rebellious house,” showing that their hearts had not changed much. They and their fathers had transgressed against God up to that very day. Into this setting God sends Ezekiel, lifted by the Spirit, to speak His words. The people’s suffering does not prove they are now faithful; they still need to hear God’s warnings and calls to turn back to Him.

What does this passage teach about God’s character and His treatment of His people?

This passage shows God as holy and honest about sin, but also patient and caring. He plainly calls Israel rebellious, impudent, and stiffhearted, and He gives Ezekiel a scroll of lament and woe, so His anger at sin is real. Yet He still sends a prophet to them so they will know His word and cannot claim ignorance. God strengthens His servant by His Spirit and tells him not to fear, showing His kindness to those who obey Him. God’s care is seen in that He does not leave His people without warning, even when they resist Him.

How can Ezekiel’s call to a rebellious people help believers today?

Ezekiel’s call reminds believers that obeying God does not always lead to easy work or quick results. He is sent to people who are described as rebellious and dangerous, like briers and scorpions, yet he must still speak God’s words. Today, when God’s ways are often rejected, this passage helps us see that faithfulness means speaking truth with courage, relying on the Spirit’s strength. It also warns us not to copy Israel’s hard heart, but to receive God’s word, even when it brings lament and sorrow over sin, so that it can lead to real change.

Ezek.2.1

Ezekiel 2:1

KJV GOD

And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.

Ezekiel’s Call

1 And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.

2 And the Spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.

3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.

4 For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God.

5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

6 ¶ And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.

7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.

8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.

9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;

10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

Cross References

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