Ezekiel 2:1-3:15
"Ezekiel's call"
The voice of the Lord spoke to Ezekiel (E. is still in the vision from last chapter). God has called him to be sent to a particularly rebellious people - the Jews. they have been in revolt against God for many years and have not listened to his commands, but God says that Israel will know that a prophet has been amongst them. God then encourages Ezekiel saying, "do not be afraid." E. is not to listen to the words of the Israelites, but those of God.
God then gives Ezekiel a scroll written on both sides with lament. God tells him to then eat it. by eating the scroll, Ezekiel is internalizing the message of God; that is the symbolism present here.
God then sends E. out to Israel. God even says of Israel that if he had sent Ezekiel to another nation, they would have accepted the message more readily than the Israelites. not to worry, God will make E. resilient and calloused so that he can combat the hard stubbornness of the Israelites. God even creates the imagery that he will reinforce Ezekiel's head so that he can bash his head against the Israelite wall and actually make an impact.
In the end, however, Ezekiel's job is to be the messenger. if the Israelites take heed, they take heed. if they do not, well...
The spirit of the Lord then gathered around Ezekiel and sent him forth.
that's a pretty epic calling - "i'm calling you to internalize and speak hard words to a stubborn people who won't want to listen despite what they may throw back at you or do to you; don't worry. i've got it all under control." many pastors and missionaries take up this calling. they spend their lives with recalcitrant people who would either prefer to be somewhere else than listening to somebuitelander speak about religion or to be out of the pew on the road home so they can have their sunday lunch. it takes guts to answer a call like that. guts and faith that God will provide all the strength you need to succeed.
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