John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 3:22-23

"And the hand of Jehovah was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with thee. Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of Jehovah stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell on my face." — Ezekiel 3:22-23 (ASV)

God seems in some way to play with His Prophet when He sends him here and there, and apparently changes His plan. For the duty of teaching was previously imposed upon the holy man, but now he is commanded to go out, and afterwards God orders him to shut himself up at home.

Therefore, this variation seems like a change of plan, when God first commands His servant to speak, and afterwards to be silent. But it is by no means doubtful that, by this method, the authority of the Prophet was confirmed, as God evidently governed his tongue, whether for speech or silence.

For although he was appointed a teacher, he restrained himself until God should suggest what he was to say. Afterwards, he was ordered to be silent, and he obeyed God. Then, when God dictated words and commanded him to go out in public, he began to fulfill his office. Now, if he had begun to speak immediately upon his appointment, he might have been accused of excessive levity; but when he showed his readiness, and yet remained silent as God willed, greater weight was added to his teaching.

Now we understand for what purpose the hand of God was upon him. By the hand of God, His power is understood, for that interpretation is weak, as I have previously observed, which interprets the hand of God as merely the prophetic office. He perceives, then, that he was impelled by the secret power of God.

Lastly, the hand of God is nothing other than the stirring of the Spirit, since the Prophet felt that he was not carried forward by human power or by any personal impulse. He says, therefore, the hand of Jehovah was upon me, and He said to me, Arise, and go forth to the plain, that I may speak there with thee. Ezekiel could not help but suppose that he was being led out to immediately proclaim God’s commands to the people.

But in this opinion he was mistaken because, as we shall see, he was brought out only to then immediately shut himself up at home. But before God commanded this, Ezekiel says that he went forth. We see how submissive he was whenever God sent him. And this is noteworthy, because if God’s calling does not please us and our own judgment does not approve it, we draw back, or at least postpone it.

But the Prophet had a justifiable excuse, according to human judgment, for refusing with some plausible reason, for God had often addressed him already, and so far without result. But now, although up to this point he is kept in suspense, and God does not yet declare what He wishes him to do, still he goes out into the plain, because God commanded him.

We are taught by this example that even if the outcome is hidden from us, as soon as God issues any command, we must obey. Even if our own judgment objects, we ought still to obey Him in such a way as to follow whenever He calls, even if our actions seem not only futile but ridiculous.

But God did not address him in vain when He appeared in His glory, for the appearance of the glory of God ought to satisfy a holy man, even if all other things should fail. He saw the glory of God, as it were, near the river Chebar; from which we gather that the vision was not fixed to any specific place. God, therefore, appeared once above the bank of the river to His servant, and then in the plain.

As for his saying he fell on his face, I have previously explained what he means. It must necessarily happen that the faithful, who are impressed with a serious fear of God, should dread His appearance.

The impious also are compelled to fear God, but afterwards they grow hardened; and although they are made almost lifeless, the stupor that follows extinguishes all sensation. But the fear that the faithful feel from the appearance of God is joined with reverence. Thus also Ezekiel fell on his face, and did not rise again until the Spirit raised him up, as is described later.