Ezekiel 3

This chapter contains more particular instructions to the prophet. It begins with repeating his appointment to his office, Ezekiel 3:1-3 . Ezekiel is then informed that his commission is, at this time, to the house of Israel exclusively, Ezekiel 3:4-6 ; that his countrymen would pay little regard to him, Ezekiel 3:7 ; that he must persevere in his duty notwithstanding such great discouragement; and he is endued with extraordinary courage and intrepidity to enable him fearlessly to declare to a disobedient and gainsaying people the whole counsel of God, Ezekiel 3:8-11 . The prophet is afterwards carried by the spirit that animated the cherubim and wheels, and by which he received the gift of prophecy, to a colony of his brethren in the neighborhood, where he remained seven days overwhelmed with astonishment, Ezekiel 3:12-15 . He is then warned of the awful importance of being faithful in his office, Ezekiel 3:16-21 ; commanded to go forth into the plain that he may have a visible manifestation of the Divine Presence, Ezekiel 3:22 ; and is again favored with a vision of that most magnificent set of symbols described in the first chapter, by which the glorious majesty of the God of Israel was in some measure represented, Ezekiel 3:23 . See also Isaiah 6:1-13 ; Daniel 10:5-19 ; and Revelation 1:10-16 ; Revelation 4:1-11 , for other manifestations of the Divine glory, in all of which some of the imagery is very similar. The prophet receives directions relative to his future conduct, Ezekiel 3:24-27 .