Turmoil in His Soul

Ezekiel experienced an overwhelming encounter with God. He could not even stand upright in the vision until God lifted him up. Through the vision, he learned God had a message for him to deliver to the stiff-necked Israelites who would not listen to God—who did not even want to hear from God.

Nevertheless, God wanted to send a message, and He said to Ezekiel, I will make your forehead . . . harder than flint. Do not be afraid. . . . (Ez. 3:7 a & c NIV)

How would you like to have been Ezekiel? God showed him a scroll with words of lament and mourning and woe. (2:10b) According to God’s instructions, he ate it, and it tasted sweet as honey in my mouth. (3:3b)

But the scroll caused turmoil in his soul because he knew it would cause a separation between him and the people.

We do not know what Ezekiel’s life was like prior to his call, but it was an unusual life after his call. He shared how he was physically transported—with the strong hand of the Lord upon me—to another land and another group of exiles where he sat among them for seven days—overwhelmed. (3:14c,15c)

God spoke again, telling Ezekiel his position would be that of a watchman who would warn wicked people. (3:17) Ezekiel did not have an easy calling.

Originally published August 24, 1984.