Ezekiel 11:4
Therefore prophesy against them, prophesy, O son of man.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Prophets in ancient Israel occupied precarious positions, especially when prophesying against political and religious establishments. Jeremiah faced imprisonment, death threats, and attempted assassination for his prophecies (Jeremiah 20:1-2, 26:7-11, 38:4-6). Ezekiel, though in exile and thus physically separated from Jerusalem's leaders, faced opposition from exiles who resented his message (Ezekiel 33:30-33).
The title 'son of man' distinguished Ezekiel from the divine message he carried. Ancient Near Eastern courts used formal titles to reinforce social hierarchies. God's consistent use of 'son of man' for Ezekiel kept the prophet aware of his creatureliness and the message's divine origin. This prevented prophetic pride and ensured proper humility before both God and audience.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's command to prophesy regardless of audience reception challenge modern emphasis on relevance and popularity?
- What does the title 'son of man' teach about proper balance between confidence in one's message and humility about one's person?
- In what situations has God called you to speak truth to power, and how have you responded?
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Analysis & Commentary
God's command to Ezekiel—'Therefore prophesy against them, prophesy, O son of man'—emphasizes the prophet's duty despite opposition. The repetition 'prophesy... prophesy' intensifies the command, indicating both urgency and the difficulty of the task. The title 'son of man' (ben-adam, בֶּן־אָדָם) occurs over ninety times in Ezekiel, emphasizing the prophet's humanity in contrast to God's divinity and highlighting the condescension involved in God communicating through frail human vessels.
Prophesying 'against them' indicates the message's uncomfortable nature. True prophets often brought unwelcome words to powerful audiences (1 Kings 22:8, Amos 7:10-13). Ezekiel's commission required courage to confront Jerusalem's leadership with divine judgment. This verse reminds us that faithfulness to God sometimes requires speaking unpopular truth to those who don't want to hear it.
From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates the sufficiency and authority of Scripture. God's Word, spoken through human prophets, carries divine authority regardless of audience reception. The command to prophesy doesn't depend on probable success or favorable response but on divine commission. Ministers are called to faithful proclamation, leaving results to God's sovereign purposes.