Wednesday 11 February 2026
"For you are not sent to a people of obscure speech and difficult language, but to the house of Israel – not to many peoples of obscure speech and difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, if I sent you to them, they would listen to you." (vs 5-6)
Background
Still caught up in the vision that begun in chapter one, Ezekiel hears again the call to go and share God’s word with the Israelites. The scroll that was given to him at the end of chapter two is now eaten, and it tastes sweet, like honey in the prophet’s mouth. This action can be seen as Ezekiel's acceptance of God's call. He not only hears the word of God that he has to take to the people but he ingests it, literally, taking it into himself and making it part of his being.
The retelling of the call that follows this moment reiterates the nature of the task that lies ahead. Ezekiel is to speak to a people who will understand the words that he says but will not listen to him. As difficult and hardened as his hearers will be, God will make Ezekiel hard as well, like a flint tool that is used to quarry and chisel stone.
In the closing verses of this section we are brought back to where we started. All that has been shared with Ezekiel has been brought to him in the midst of an unimaginable vision. He is surrounded by heavenly creatures with wings and the glory of God shines around him. As he zooms out, as it were, from the specifics of the call he is reminded again of where he is held in this moment. He is caught up in the awesome nature of God.
As he is brought out of the vision by the Spirit of God, Ezekiel seems to feel the weight of what he is now tasked with. We are told he goes in bitterness and with a sense of anger in his spirit. (v. 14) We aren’t told specifically who or what these emotions are about. He is being thrust into the role of God’s messenger to a people who are unlikely to listen. He has gone from a relatively quiet life to one that will bring hardships with it. The bitterness and anger could be about the call he has taken on. It could also be against the people he has to speak to. Whatever he feels, he still senses that God’s strong hand is upon him to help him with what lies ahead.
To Ponder:
- "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm34:8). To what extent has this been your experience?
- Have you experienced a time when Scripture caused a bitterness in your soul? How did you deal with this?
- What might God be saying today that is being ignored?
Prayer
God most high, may we taste the sweetness of your word within us, and have the courage to follow where you call us. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd David Wynd
David Wynd is a Methodist minister serving in Cullercoats, in North Tyneside.