Who is speaking in Ezekiel 3?

In Ezekiel 3, the primary speaker is God Himself, addressing the prophet Ezekiel. This chapter is part of a larger narrative where God commissions Ezekiel as a prophet to the Israelites, who are in exile in Babylon. Understanding who is speaking in this chapter is crucial for grasping the weight and authority of the message being delivered.

The Book of Ezekiel opens with a dramatic vision of God’s glory, setting the stage for the divine messages that follow. Ezekiel 3 continues this divine encounter, where God speaks directly to Ezekiel, imparting instructions, warnings, and encouragements. The chapter can be divided into several distinct sections, each with God’s voice guiding Ezekiel in his prophetic mission.

In the first part of Ezekiel 3, God instructs Ezekiel to eat a scroll:

"And He said to me, 'Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.' So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. And He said to me, 'Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.' So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness" (Ezekiel 3:1-3, NKJV).

Here, God is not only speaking to Ezekiel but also symbolically preparing him for his prophetic duties. The act of eating the scroll signifies internalizing God's words, making them a part of his very being. The sweetness of the scroll represents the divine origin and purity of God's message, despite the often bitter content it would contain concerning Israel's sins and impending judgments.

Following this, God continues to speak to Ezekiel, emphasizing the nature of his mission:

"Then He said to me: 'Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them. For you are not sent to a people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, but to the house of Israel, not to many people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, had I sent you to them, they would have listened to you. But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted.'" (Ezekiel 3:4-7, NKJV).

In this passage, God is making it clear that Ezekiel's primary audience is his own people, the Israelites. Despite their familiarity with God's language and laws, they are described as "impudent and hard-hearted," indicating their stubbornness and rebellion against God. This sets the tone for Ezekiel's challenging prophetic ministry, where he is to deliver God's message to a resistant audience.

God further equips Ezekiel by making him as resolute as his audience:

"Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads. Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house." (Ezekiel 3:8-9, NKJV).

Here, God reassures Ezekiel by fortifying his resolve, making him as unyielding as the people he is sent to. This divine empowerment is crucial for Ezekiel to withstand the inevitable opposition and hostility he will face.

The chapter then transitions to a more dramatic and symbolic act where God transports Ezekiel:

"Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a great thunderous voice: 'Blessed is the glory of the Lord from His place!' I also heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels beside them, and a great thunderous noise. So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me." (Ezekiel 3:12-14, NKJV).

In this passage, the Spirit of God physically moves Ezekiel, indicating the divine authority and power behind his commission. The mention of the living creatures and the wheels recalls the earlier vision in Ezekiel 1, reinforcing the presence and majesty of God. Ezekiel's emotional response, described as "bitterness" and "heat of my spirit," reflects the heavy burden of his prophetic role, yet he is sustained by the strong hand of the Lord.

God then instructs Ezekiel to go to the plain where He will speak to him further:

"Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me.'" (Ezekiel 3:15-17, NKJV).

God’s voice continues to guide Ezekiel, this time appointing him as a "watchman" for Israel. The role of a watchman is to be vigilant and to warn the people of impending danger. This metaphor underscores the seriousness of Ezekiel's mission and the responsibility he carries. God’s words here are a direct charge to Ezekiel, emphasizing the importance of his obedience and the consequences of failing to deliver God's warnings.

God elaborates on the duties and responsibilities of Ezekiel as a watchman:

"When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul." (Ezekiel 3:18-19, NKJV).

This passage highlights the gravity of Ezekiel's task. If he fails to deliver God's warning, he shares in the responsibility for the wicked person's death. However, if he faithfully delivers the warning, he absolves himself of that responsibility, even if the person does not repent. This underscores the prophet's duty to speak God's truth, regardless of the people's response.

In the final section of the chapter, God gives Ezekiel further instructions and restrictions:

"Then the hand of the Lord was upon me there, and He said to me, 'Arise, go out into the plain, and there I shall talk with you.' So I arose and went out into the plain, and behold, the glory of the Lord stood there, like the glory which I saw by the River Chebar; and I fell on my face. Then the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and spoke with me and said to me: 'Go, shut yourself inside your house. And you, O son of man, surely they will put ropes on you and bind you with them, so that you cannot go out among them. I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be mute and not be one to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious house. But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, "Thus says the Lord God." He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.'" (Ezekiel 3:22-27, NKJV).

In this closing passage, God instructs Ezekiel to isolate himself and prepares him for the opposition he will face. The binding with ropes and the enforced muteness symbolize the severe resistance and the constrained circumstances under which Ezekiel will operate. However, God assures him that when the time comes, He will open Ezekiel's mouth to deliver His messages. This final assurance emphasizes that Ezekiel's words are not his own but are divinely inspired and authoritative.

Throughout Ezekiel 3, it is clear that God is the one speaking to Ezekiel, guiding, instructing, and empowering him for his prophetic mission. The chapter underscores the divine origin and authority of Ezekiel's message, the seriousness of his commission, and the inevitable challenges he will face. Understanding that God is the speaker in this chapter helps us appreciate the weight and significance of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry, as well as the profound responsibility that comes with being a messenger of God's word.