Ezekiel has at least two notable characteristics. First, he is known as the prophet of the Holy Spirit, with the work of God’s Spirit playing a significant role throughout his book.
Second, Ezekiel is passive in his relationship with God. While he actively serves God, he remains passive in the sense that he responds obediently to whatever God instructs him to do or say.
Both of these characteristics are evident in the next verses.
Then the hand of the Lord was upon me there, and he said to me, “Rise up, go out into the valley, and there I will speak with you.”
So I rose up and went out into the valley, and the glory of the Lord stood there, like the glory that I had seen by the River Chebar, and I fell on my face.
The Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and he spoke with me and said to me: “Go, shut yourself inside your house (Ezekiel 3.22-24).
What would it feel like to have the hand of the Lord come upon you? For Ezekiel, his entire ministry—whether through actions or words—was guided by God’s hand actively at work in his life.
What about the valley? Why did God lead him there?
Israel’s time in the wilderness was a formative experience for the nation. Similarly, Jesus’ 40 days and nights of fasting in the wilderness were marked by communion with God and overcoming temptation through His deep relationship with the Father.
Ezekiel was also led into the wilderness, presumably to meet with God, much like Israel and Jesus did.
The question for us is: What about God’s hand in our lives? How have we experienced his guidance? Has God led us to places, like a “wilderness” setting, where we can truly hear from him?
Ezekiel fell on his face before the glory of the Lord. In the ancient world, it was common for subjects to bow before a king as a sign of submission.
Ezekiel’s posture raises a question for us: Do we regularly acknowledge God’s sovereign glory in our lives? Are we willing to submit to His direction and live as faithful citizens in His kingdom?
The hand of God, the glory of God, and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit are experienced by people today through the Spirit’s presence. The Holy Spirit is God’s representative on Earth.
Another question for us is: Are we aware of the Holy Spirit, and are we submitted to Him?
Paul spoke of being filled with the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 5:18: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
Let’s remember that being filled with the Holy Spirit is to be activated, captivated, and motivated by the Spirit’s power in our lives. Is this the reality of our lives?
God’s Silence
Ezekiel frequently acted out his prophetic messages. It’s unclear whether the next verses describe an acted-out message or simply God’s way of dealing with the prophet.
What we do know is that there are times when God remains silent. When people reject Him, He may choose to remain quiet until they come to their senses.
As for you, mortal, cords shall be placed on you, and you shall be bound with them so that you cannot go out among the people,
And I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth so that you shall be speechless and unable to reprove them, for they are a rebellious house.
But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God’; let those who will hear, hear, and let those who refuse to hear, refuse, for they are a rebellious house (Ezekiel 3.25-27).
If Ezekiel held any prominence among the exiles, it’s likely the people wondered why he was confined to his house and not speaking to anyone. If so, they may have been learning that their rebellion had brought about God’s silence.
Whether or not this is the case, it’s important for us to understand the significance of God’s silence in our own lives.
When we don’t sense His presence, it’s wise to ask, “Lord, what do I need to adjust in my life so that our personal relationship and friendship can be restored?”
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 