Understanding the Scriptures
Ezekiel 2
| Impudent (v. 4) | Proud | |
| Forbear (vv. 5, 7) | Refuse to listen and obey | |
| Briers and thorns (v. 6) | Prickly weeds (a symbol for the trouble people might give Ezekiel when he delivers his messages) | |
| Scorpions (v. 6) | Poisonous creature (a symbol of wicked people that Ezekiel will preach to) | |
| Dismayed (v. 6) | Afraid | |
| Lamentations, mourning, woe (v. 10) | Sadness |
Ezekiel 2:9–10; 3:1–3—The Lord Asked Ezekiel to Eat a Scroll
The description of Ezekiel eating a scroll is a symbolic one representing his calling to teach the Lord’s word by literally making the word of God part of his being. The book of Revelation records a time when the Apostle John had a similar experience (see Revelation 10).
Ezekiel 3
| Hearkened, hearken (vv. 6–7) | Listened and obeyed | |
| Heat (v. 14) | Anger | |
| Watchman (v. 17) | A man standing on the wall of a city watching for enemies and warning the people in the city | |
| But his blood will I require at thine hand (vv. 18, 20) | You will be held responsible for his sins | |
| Delivered (vv. 19, 21) | Saved | |
| I lay a stumblingblock before him (v. 20) | I cause him to fall | |
| Cleave (v. 26) | Stick | |
| Dumb (v. 26) | Unable to speak | |
| Reprover (v. 26) | One who corrects another |
Studying the Scriptures
Do two of the following three activities (A–C) as you study Ezekiel 2–3.
Summarize Ezekiel’s Mission
To summarize Ezekiel’s mission, explain the significance of the following words and phrases: “impudent children” (Ezekiel 2:4; see also Ezekiel 3:7); briers, thorns, and scorpions (Ezekiel 2:6); the roll of a book (Ezekiel 2:9–10; 3:1–3); a diamond (Ezekiel 3:9); watchman (Ezekiel 3:17–21); a reprover (Ezekiel 3:26).
or
Draw at least four pictures in your notebook that represent the ideas listed above.
A Difficult Mission
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1.
Search Ezekiel 2–3 and list reasons you think Ezekiel would have had a difficult mission. For each reason, list a verse to support your idea.
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2.
List what the Lord said Ezekiel’s mission would be in Ezekiel 2–3 and what encouraged Ezekiel to fulfill his mission.
The Watchman
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1.
Read Ezekiel 3:17–21 and describe the calling of a watchman.
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2.
Name a “watchman” in the Church today and explain why you chose whom you did.
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3.
What does Ezekiel 3:17–21 teach us about the importance of fulfilling our callings? You may want to cross-reference these verses to Jacob 1:19.
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