Ezekiel 3

He is addressed by the title “Son of Man,” a title applied only to himself and to Daniel, among the prophets, for which we can assign no reason, unless it were to remind them, that notwithstanding the extraordinary prophetic visions with which they were favoured, they were still but mortal. In the close of this chapter, a hand appears to the prophet, as it should seem in a vision, holding the roll of a book written on both sides; and when spread out, behold it is covered with “lamentations and mourning and wo,” alluding doubtless to the nature of these prophecies. This book he is commanded to eat, a figurative action, meaning, according to Archbishop Secker, “to take in, retain, and digest:” from and which we may draw this practical reflection, that it is the duty of ministers themselves, to study and digest whatever they deliver to their people.

(Compare ch. ii. 10.) Chap. III. Ver. 1—27. Ezekiel eats the prophetic roll, and finds it sweet in taste, but is warned to expect bitter consequences.—The Prophet in this chapter receives more explicit instructions in his office. At first his views seem to have been raised to expect a ready reception of his message; but he is warned of the perverse character of the persons to whom he is sent to minister, and how ungratefully he would be requited. He is however ordered to persevere in his duty notwithstanding, and is promised all necessary support. He is then carried by the spirit to a neighbouring colony of his captive brethren, where he remains seven days overwhelmed with astonishment; but he is roused to the performance of his duty, as a that if any perished through his default of warning, he would have to answer for the consequences.

But how, it may be asked, is it consistent with the divine character, to lay stumbling blocks in the way of men, as is intimated (ver. 20.) that the Lord himself does? This may be elucidated in the case of the promised Messiah, who, though given as the foundation of our salvation, is expressly called a stone of stumbling; ((Isaiah 8:14-15).) because the unbelieving Jews, instead of building upon that foundation, stumbled thereon and fell, by taking offence at the doctrine of the cross. Thus not only occasions of sin may be found in the course of providence; but even the best blessings of grace may be rendered stumbling blocks through man’s unbelief.

Notes on the verses

Ver. 8. Eat that I give thee.—That is, the book, ver. 9,10. Compare (Revelation 10:9). Ver. 9. Roll of a book.—{All ancient books were written so as to be rolled up: hence volumen, a volume, from volvo, I roll.}—Bagster. Ver. 10. It was written within and without.—That is, on both sides, which was contrary to the state of rolls in general, which are written on the inside. Chap. III. Ver. 1. Eat that thou findest.—{This must have passed in a vision; but the meaning is plain, Receive my word into thy mind,—let it enter into eet; digest it,—let it be thy nourishment,—thy meat and thy drink to do the will of thy Father who is in heaven.}—Bagster. Ver. 8 Thy face strong.—Newcome, “Firm.” So in next clause.

Ver. 12. A voice of a great rushing.—Heb. “A voice (or sound) of a great rustling.” So ver. 13. Compare (Isaiah 6:2-3). Ver. 14. In the heat of my spirit.—Heb. “In hot anger.”—The hand of the Lord.—See (Ezekiel 1:3). y. Ver. 15. At Tel-abib.—Evidently at some distance from his first station, for he was carried thither.—{Tel-abib, a place in Mesopotamia on the river Chebar, is probably the same as Theladba, which is placed in D’ Anville’s Chart of the Euphrates and Tigris between 36° and 37° N. lat. and 53° and 54° E.}—Bagster.—Seven days.—See (Job 2:13).—Chebar.—See was i. 1. and note. Ver. 17. A watchman.—“The watchmen were stationed to keep a constant look out, that they might discern enemies or dangers at a distance, and warn the people to avoid or repel them: but if they neglected to watch, or to give warning, they would be chargeable with the murder of such as perished through their negligence.

But if the watchman gave notice of the approaching danger, and the people neglected to profit by the warnings they might indeed be cut off, but he would be guiltless. Thus the Lord had appointed the prophet to observe and to report to his people the dangers to which their sins exposed them: this he was required to do, by hearing the word of the Lord, and ‘warning them from him.’”—Scott. Ver. 18. Save his life.—“‘To cause him to live.’ In giving warning, the prophet would do what he could to save the souls of the wicked; but if he neglected this, he would be in some sense their seer.” —Scott. Ver. 23. As the glory, &c.—See (Ezekiel 1:1), &c. Ver. 24. Spake with me.—“Then the Spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet: and he spake unto me.” Bishop Newcome.

Lowth. The original requires to be thus rendered. ‘The last verb is masculine, the others feminine; and the Speaker is evidently distinguished from the Spirit, who entered into Ezekiel: probably a voice came to him from the visible glory of Jehovah.” —Scott. Ver. 25. They shall put bands on thee.—That is, “* at thy command, thy domestics shall bind thee.” Newcome.