Ezekiel 2:1-8

I am intrigued by the physiological trauma experienced by some of the prophets when God appears to them. There are many times when God appears to people that they do not suffer physical weakness, but there are a few in which the prophet faints. Daniel tells us that when a messenger from God, an angel, appeared to him, “I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground. A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees” (Daniel 10:8-10, NIV). The apostle John tells us that when Jesus appeared to him, “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead” (Revelation 1:17, ESV). What causes these fainting spells is not clear, but they leave a profound impression on the prophet.

Ezekiel experiences much the same thing when Yahweh and the living creatures appear to him. He has to be told, “Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” We’re told that, “As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me” (Ezekiel 2:1,2, NIV). As with John and Daniel, he needs help to enable him to stand, a hand touching him or the Spirit coming into him.

Though he does not seem to physically collapse, like Ezekiel, Daniel, and John, Isaiah, upon seeing Yahweh high and lifted up on a throne in the heavenly temple, says, “Woe is me! For I am lost” (Isaiah 6:5, ESV). He is experiencing emotional trauma, if not physical. God gives each of these spokesmen for Him such a powerful, humbling invasion of body and soul that it no doubt equips him for the task of proclaiming what is revealed.

Ezekiel is told,

3 Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you.

Ezekiel is heading into Daniel’s den of lions, only these ravenous beasts are Israelites, God’s rebellious nation. Some will listen, but some will not, and those who don’t want to hear what Ezekiel is telling them from God will be like briers and thorns piercing Ezekiel’s flesh, like scorpions striking him with poisonous stingers. But Ezekiel must speak the message regardless. What he has learned from this experience of revelation from Yahweh is that the threat of Yahweh to his health is greater than what any human can bring.

We followers of Christ are not mere acolytes or assistants to Jesus, we are apostles, we are sent ones, sent with a message that needs proclaiming. That is why Jesus told us, “What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:27,28, ESV)