077. III. The Prophet’s Call And Commission (1:1-3:21)

III THE PROPHET’S CALL AND COMMISSION (Ezekiel 1:1toEzekiel 3:21) 1. The Vision of the Divine Presence (Ezekiel 1:1-28) The time and place of the prophet’s call (Ezekiel 1:1-3). It was the fifth year of the sorrowful exile of Jehoiakin and his people in far-off Babylonia, when I was dwelling in the Hebrew settlement on the banks of the stream known as the Chebar^[1], that Jehovah revealed himself to me and called me to be his prophet. The fiery storm-cloud from the north, Jehovah’s abode (Ezekiel 1:4). I seemed to see a great cloud approaching swiftly from the north, driven by a furious wind. A luminous splendor, which was produced by an inward fire that glowed with the brilliance of polished metal, surrounded the cloud. The four living creatures which support and guard his throne (Ezekiel 1:5-14). As I gazed I saw within it the forms of four creatures. Each had four faces, that of a man in front, of a lion on the right, of a bull on the left, and of an eagle behind. Each had four wings, two being extended above the heads, the tips touching those of its neighbors on either side, while the other two covered the body. Their limbs, which glistened like burnished brass, were straight and jointless, their feet shaped like the hoofs of a calf. Each had four hands concealed from view by the wings. Since a similar human face was looking outward toward each quarter, they seemed to be always moving straight ahead. In the midst of these creatures glowed the flame, emitting flashes like the lightning^[2].

[1] A canal in the vicinity of Nippur, running west toward Babylon, mentioned in the cuneiform tablets recently discovered by the University of Pennsylvania expedition.

[2]Ezekiel 1:14is generally regarded as a gloss. The wheels which symbolize his constant movement (Ezekiel 1:15-21). I looked again and saw four similar wheels of the color of topaz, one beside each creature. Each wheel seemed to be double, consisting of two wheels cutting each other at right angles, so that in whatever direction the chariot moved four wheels appeared to be moving thither. The wheels, like the creatures, seemed alive. The eyes, symbolizing divine omniscience (Ezekiel 1:18). They were covered with eyes and moved whenever the creatures moved, responding to the same impulse. The throne and its divine occupant (Ezekiel 1:22-28). Supported by the heads and outstretched wings of the four creatures was an arch, transparent as crystal. Resting upon this was a throne resembling a sapphire, on which sat a human-like form, bright and radiant as the rainbow. I saw that I was in the very presence of Jehovah himself and fell upon my face in reverence.

2. Jehovah’s Message of Mingled Discouragement and Cheer (Ezekiel 2:1 to Ezekiel 3:11) The prophet sent to disobedient Israel (Ezekiel 2:1-7). “Finite mortal,” said a voice,” arise and hear my message to you.” A power divine pervaded my being; I arose in obedience to the divine summons, and received this commission: “l am about to send you to disobedient Israel to declare my will. Whether the people listen to you or not, they will eventually recognize your office. In whatever ways they threaten you by word or action making your life a burden, have no fear, but declare unflinchingly the truth.

Assured of divine instruction (Ezekiel 2:8toEzekiel 3:3). “Let no sense of weakness or unworthiness lead you to imitate this rebellious people in refusing to do my will. Lo, I will put into your mouth the messages you are to utter. To symbolize this commission, eat this scroll, which represents the oft-repeated messages of distress and woe which you must declare in Jehovah’s name.” I obeyed, but the bitter words seemed sweeter than honey, symbolizing that in the performance of the task allotted by Jehovah I would find true joy.

Encouraged to be fearless and faithful (Ezekiel 3:4-11). My mission was then made more clear. “You are to have an arduous struggle with unfaithful Israel. Your difficulties will not result from an inability to make your message understood, but from their stubborn unwillingness to obey. Jehovah will help you to be bold and steadfast, and to declare, without fear or favor, your God-given message to the Israelites in Babylonia.”

3. The Prophet Appointed as a Watchman The prophet removed to Tel-Abib (Ezekiel 3:12-15). At once I seemed to be lifted up and borne away toward the scene of my prophetic work. A mysterious sound as of rustling wings and moving wheels behind me comforted me by the indication of the ever-active power of Jehovah^[3]. I departed, stirred to the heart by indignation at my unrepentant people, and strengthened by a sense of divine guidance. Arriving at Tel-Abib, where I was to begin my work, I sat seven days in silence, reflecting on the work before me. His function to be that of a watchman (Ezekiel 3:16-21). Then Jehovah made known to me that I was to be a watchman to give warning to my people of the crisis now at hand, to turn the wicked from the evil of his way, and to keep the righteous from falling into sin [3] By the change of one letterEzekiel 3:12is made to read “when the glory of Jehovah rose.”