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Having seen the tremendous manifestation of the glory of the Lord and consequently falling on his face before the Lord, Ezekiel is given further evidence of the presence of the Lord in his life. The Spirit of the Lord entered him and he was lifted up and stood before the Lord, by the Spirit. Eze. 2:1 Ezekiel is now given the title of the Son of man. He is called or addressed as the son of man, Son of man, over ninety times in the book of Ezekiel. When Jesus began His ministry He identified Himself as the Son of man. Mt. 8:20 This title is used by Him and of Him some seventy four times in the New Testament. Ezekiel, the Son of man, natural, carnal with human imperfections. Jesus, born of a virgin, human but also spiritual. A man, but also God. The perfect Son of God, the perfect Man.
After such tremendously inspiring revelation of the glory of the Lord, Ezekiel is given an assignment to go and prophecy to the children of Israel. Glorious anointing, deep revelation such as was given to Ezekiel were in preparation for the call of the Spirit which was now being given to him. His appointment was not an easy one considering the spiritual condition of the people to whom he was being sent. Consider how the Lord saw them. To the Lord they were a rebellious nation, transgressing against the Lord. Impudent children, stiff hearted, a rebellious house, scorpions, most rebellious. Eze. 2:3-7 They were a perfect picture of the once religious individual who has forsaken the Lord.
The Lord most definitely did not speak words of encouragement to Ezekiel concerning his ministry among such a people. If they responded negatively or positively, his prophecies would be of such power and authority that Israel would know that a prophet had been among them. Eze. 2:5 His prophecies would be disregarded, challenged and greatly opposed. Now how would you like an assignment like that? Whatever the results, Ezekiel was to be faithful in declaring the words which the Lord would give him. We have noted that the Spirit of the Lord was upon him. Now the Lord is instructing him to take the scroll before him, which would be the Word of the Lord and eat it. The spirit and the Word were his equipment. The results were up to the Lord. His responsibility was to declare a message of lamentations, mourning and woe. Eze. 2:10 It was a call for the children of Israel to return unto the Lord. In spite of the negative aspect of his message, it speaks of the Lord visiting with warnings and an offer of grace and mercy before judgment. We will definitely hear a different message from the modern pulpits before the judgments of the Lord are in the earth.