And He said to me: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them.”
Ezekiel 2:3-4a
When I went into the Army they wanted to be more participative. For example they asked me for the top 3 places I would like to be assigned. I asked for Washington State and tI received an assignment to the great northwest. There are some really pleasant places to be assigned and there are some very hard tours of duty. You always hope for a good one but you know that is not up to you – it is the commander’s decision.
Ezekiel stands before the Lord awaiting his assignment. He is already in captivity in Babylon, how much worse can it get, right? (Even in a war zone soldiers would often say “it could be worse, we could be at Fort Polk, Louisiana”!)
And He said to me God speaks to His prophet. Ezekiel is about to learn God’s assignment for him.
Son of man Again Ezekiel is reminded of his frailty. No man can do any assignment for God in his own strength. If Ezekiel needs to be reminded of this fact constantly how much more do we?
I am sending you One thing is always true – prophets rise and they go. That is their responsibility. Where they go is God’s responsibility. By the way Ezekiel 1:1 tells us that Ezekiel is in his 30th year. Numbers 4:3 tells us priests began their temple service in their thirtieth year. It is time for Ezekiel to go.
To the children of Israel Ezekiel’s assignment? He is to go to his own people, Israel. By this time Israel is scattered throughout the Middle East. There are captives in Assyria and Babylon and there is a remnant
left in their land. God does not distinguish a location. The message God has for Ezekiel is one that is to be given to every Israelite. How can Ezekiel possibly do that? That is God’s responsibility.
To a rebellious nation God now gives Ezekiel an idea of what he is going to face. Israel is rebellious. (The word means “be bold and audacious in acts of rebellion or disobedience; to attack or run strenuously against.) The word God uses for nation gives us insight into His assessment of His children’s behavior. He uses the word “goyim” which refers to gentile nations. Israel’s behavior makes it indistinguishable in God’s sight from any other idolatrous nation. (God forbid that should be us!)
Rebelled against Me Israel has not just rebelled against a foreign king, they have rebelled against the loving God who chose them from all the nations of the world to represent Him and be His people. There is no greater rebellion.
They and their fathers have transgressed against Me God tells Ezekiel this rebellion has been going on for some time. The rebellion is
generations old. The children are following the ways of their rebellious fathers. They have been taught to despise God and they are doing it well.
To this very day Despite the captivity God allowed so Israel would “know Him”, the rebellion continues. Israel refuses to learn from the
correction God sent upon them. They are still actively rebelling against God to the very day that God speaks to Ezekiel.
For they are impudent and stubborn children. God makes it very clear what Ezekiel is up against. Israel is “hard of face” and “firm of heart”. Israel is demonstrating the attitude of people who will not back down or lower their gaze but prefer to flaunt their rebellion openly to another even as they are losing the fight. The word stubborn describes one who has an unyielding spirit that refuses to admit guilt even after being proven guilty. The sad fact is Israel loves their false gods.
I am sending you to them The word sent is the word used when God sent Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden. He sent them away in judgment for their sin. Here He is sending Ezekiel to a rebellious people to confront and warn them of their sin. His assignment is not going to be easy but it is critical if Israel is ever to repent and return to God. Ezekiel has been given a message from God that Israel must hear.