Page 23 - NOTES ON EZEKIEL

CHAPTER II.
The new attitude is remarkably exemplified in
another way by the title God gives to the prophet,
fallen on his face, in chapter ii., and thenceforward.
For when the voice spoke from the likeness of the
glory of Jehovah, the words were, Son of man, stand
upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. So was
Daniel styled once (chap. viii. 17), and Ezekiel more
than a hundred times. It is the title Jesus ap­
propriated as the rejected Messiah who should suffer,
be exalted, and return in glory as the Son of man.
His servants have the same title, as identified with
the glory of God who now declares Himself outside
Israel and even judging them by the Gentiles.
Strengthened by the Spirit, the prophet receives
his mission to the children of Israel, though, yea
because, they had rejected God—“ to rebellious Gen­
tiles, Goyim [for such they really were in truth, no
better than heathen morally and much worse in guilt],
that have rebelled against me; they and their fathers
have transgressed against me unto this very day.
And the children are hard of face and stiff of heart.
I send thee to them, and thou shalt say to them, Thus
saith the Lord Jehovah. And they, whether they
will hear, or whether they will forbear (for they are a
rebellious house), shall yet know that a prophet hath
been among them.” (Yer. 3—5.)
Therefore the prophet was commanded (ver. 6, 7)
not to fear them, or their words, or their looks, how­
ever rebellious they might be, but the rather to speak
c