John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 12:3

"Therefore, thou son of man, prepare thee stuff for removing, and remove by day in their sight; and thou shalt remove from thy place to another place in their sight: it may be they will consider, though they are a rebellious house." — Ezekiel 12:3 (ASV)

Now God instructs His prophet in what He wishes him to do. He orders him to take "vessels for journeying"; that is, He orders him to prepare for a long journey, even for exile, for exile is the subject here. A person who is compelled to leave home to go into a foreign land collects whatever he can carry with him—namely, his clothes, shoes, hat, pouch, and staff, and other things of that kind, if he has even a little money.

Therefore, the prophet is advised to prepare himself for his journey, by which he represents the situation of those who were about to be dragged into exile. For this reason, he is ordered to prepare for himself vessels for traveling. The Latins call garments, as well as other goods, "vessels." Consequently, the proverbial expression "to collect goods" means "to remove baggage" (in a military phrase) or "to take away one's belongings." But He orders this to be done in the daytime, so that the Israelites may see what is done.

Then the prophet is ordered to move from one place to another. As I have said, this might appear childish. Cicero describes certain legal fictions where those who went to law about a field, when called upon to plead, had, so to speak, an imaginary way of inspecting it.

Since it was too troublesome for the judge to mount his horse and ride over various fields, they retained an ancient and customary ceremony: the plaintiff would say, "The land which you say is yours, I claim for myself and say is mine. If you wish to dispute with me legally, I summon you to the spot." The defendant would reply, "As you summon me there, I in return answer your summons."

The judge then arose and moved from his place, and so an imaginary action took place. Cicero derides that role-playing, saying it is unworthy of the seriousness of a court of law. But such was the action of the prophet: he took his hat, cloak, staff, shoes, and other things, and changed his place as if he were actually moving.

However, he only went a short distance. But God had previously said that He was dealing with a perverse nation and therefore needed such symbolic actions.

We must also note the specific wording: if by chance they should see, because they are a rebellious house. For here God, as it were, makes the outcome of His teaching conditional when He says, if perhaps they should hear. The reason is added: the people's hardness of heart was so great that they could scarcely be turned to obedience by any teachings or signs.

Meanwhile, let us learn from this passage that we must persevere when we spend our strength for God, even if success does not correspond to our labor. This instruction is especially necessary because when God imposes any duty on us, we often question its outcome. Consequently, our motivation wanes, as we are seldom willing to lift a finger unless we foresee a successful result.

Therefore, because we are always too focused on the fruit of our labor, this passage should be carefully considered. It is here that God sends His prophet and yet adds the condition, if by chance they should listen. Whatever the outcome may be, we must obey God; if our labor does not yield results, God still wishes us to obey Him.