The priest Ezekiel found himself far from the temple in Jerusalem, living among the exiles in Babylon by the Chebar canal. The year was approximately 593 b.c., a dark time for the people of Israel who had been stripped of their land and their dignity. Following a vision of the overwhelming glory of the Lord in the previous chapter, the narrative shifts here to a personal commission. God raised the prophet from his prone position of worship to stand on his feet, signaling the start of a difficult vocation. This passage captures the moment a mortal man is empowered by the Spirit to face a hostile audience. It sets the stage for a ministry defined not by widespread revival, but by the faithful delivery of difficult truths to a stubborn people.

Know God. The Lord reveals Himself here as a realist who remains relentlessly communicative. He possesses no illusions about the state of His people, describing them repeatedly as rebellious, impudent, and stubborn. Despite knowing their hearts are hardened, He does not withdraw His voice. Instead, He sends a messenger. This demonstrates that God values the declaration of truth regardless of the reception it receives. He also reveals Himself as the source of strength for those He calls. When the prophet could not stand on his own, the Spirit entered him and set him on his feet. The Lord provides the necessary power to execute the tasks He assigns, bridging the gap between human frailty and divine expectation. He is a God who equips his servants to withstand rejection, prioritizing faithfulness over popularity.

Bridge the Gap. We often measure the value of our work or our words by the immediate results we see. If we offer advice and it is rejected, or if we stand for a principle and are mocked, we frequently feel we have failed. This ancient text dismantles that modern obsession with outcome-based success. The prophet was told in advance that his audience would likely refuse to listen, yet his mission was still considered vital. In our own lives, we face similar dynamics in families, communities, or workplaces where truth is unwelcome. We may encounter what the text metaphorically describes as briers, thorns, and scorpions, representing the stinging words and hostile looks of those who oppose what is right. The lesson here is that the validity of a message does not depend on the applause of the audience.

Take Action. You must learn to separate your obedience from the reactions of others. When you know you must speak a hard truth or stand firm on a conviction, do not let the fear of opposition silence you. The ancient text speaks of scorpions, which we can understand today as sharp words or angry glances designed to intimidate. Prepare yourself internally before you engage externally. Just as the prophet was told to open his mouth and receive what was given to him, you should ingest and internalize your principles before trying to share them. Accept that some people will not change, but do not let their stubbornness act as a mute button for your integrity. Your responsibility is to be faithful in the delivery while the responsibility for the reception lies with the hearer.