Ezekiel 3

27 verses

TL;DR

Ezekiel is appointed as a watchman for Israel, instructed to eat a symbolic loaf, hear God’s voice, and warn the people of their impending judgment while being prepared for resistance and the possibility of his tongue being cut.

Summary

In Ezekiel 3 the Lord orders Ezekiel to eat a loaf as a symbol of his prophetic mission and to go to Israel with a warning. The prophet is told that he will not be sent to foreign peoples but to the house of Israel, who are hard‑hearted and rebellious. Ezekiel hears God’s voice and sees the glory of the Lord, being lifted by the Spirit. God appoints him as a watchman, explaining the consequences of warning or not warning the wicked and the righteous. The Lord’s hand is on him as he receives further instructions and is warned that his tongue may be sealed. Ezekiel is told that if he warns, he will deliver his soul, but if he does not warn, he will have to bear responsibility. The chapter ends with a vision of the Lord’s glory on a plain and a promise that God will open Ezekiel’s mouth for his message.

Outline

Divine appointment and symbolic meal;
Vision of God’s glory and the Spirit’s guidance;
Ezekiel’s role as watchman and the consequences of warning or silence.

Themes

Prophetic witness and warningGod’s sovereignty and judgmentHuman resistance and covenant responsibility

Keywords

watchmanprophecywarningIsraelrebelliousGodsoulsilenceglorySpirit

People

EzekielLord GOD

Places

TelabibChebarplain

Things

symbolic loafSpiritwings of living creatureswheelswatchmanwarningtongue cleave to roof of mouthbandshand of the LORDglory of the LORDgreat rushingnoise of wheelsheartears

Key Verses

Ezekiel 3:1: the symbolic loaf that inaugurates Ezekiel’s prophetic mission.
Ezekiel 3:17: God declares Ezekiel’s role as a watchman, central to the chapter’s message.
Ezekiel 3:25: God warns that Ezekiel’s tongue may be sealed, highlighting the cost of prophetic warning.

Questions

What does the loaf symbolize in the context of Ezekiel’s prophetic calling?
Why does God warn that Ezekiel’s tongue might be cut?
How does Ezekiel’s role as a watchman reflect God’s trust in Israel?
What are the moral responsibilities of a prophet when warning the wicked versus the righteous?
How does the vision of God’s glory influence Ezekiel’s confidence in his mission?

Sentiment

mixed
the chapter mixes divine judgment with prophetic duty and divine protection.