A Calling to Eat, Speak, and Repeat

A Calling to Eat, Speak, and Repeat

What we've attempted to capture in this introduction is not only the heart of Ezekiel's opening chapters but a compelling invitation for each of us to see God rightly, surrender fully, and follow courageously.

Ezekiel: The Otherness of God and the Call to Speak

I. God Is Not Like Us — But He Came for Us
• Ezekiel's vision begins with a declaration of God's otherness — He is holy, distinct, and unlike His creation (Ezekiel 1).
• But the beauty of the gospel is this: The God who is not like us became like us, clothed in flesh to rescue us (Philippians 2:6–8).
• Ezekiel did not yet have the full picture of Christ, but we do. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Shepherd promised in Ezekiel 34.

II. Ezekiel's Setting: A Prophet Among Refugees
• Ezekiel was among the exiles in Tel Abib, by the Chebar canal in Babylon (Ezek. 1:1–3; 3:15).
• Though away from the temple, God met him in exile, showing that the Lord is not limited to buildings or borders.
• His name means "God strengthens," and that strength was needed for his mission.

III. The Call of a Prophet: Sent to a Rebellious House
• Ezekiel was called to a difficult task: to speak to a stubborn, stiff-necked, rebellious people (Ezek. 2:3–5).
• Characteristics of the people:
• Stony hearts: Unresponsive to God
• Sinful thinkers: Self-absorbed and idolatrous
• Stiff-necked: Resistant to correction
• Stern faces and squinty eyes: Defiant and dismissive
• Sharp tongues: Ready to retaliate with rebellion
• Application: Like Ezekiel, we are often sent into uncomfortable places, but our confidence is not in the people's response but in God's calling (Ezek. 2:6–8).

IV. The Word of