John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 3:27

"But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house." — Ezekiel 3:27 (ASV)

After a silence, God shows by what commands He wishes to instruct His servant—namely, by commands that would exasperate the people, as we have previously seen. His embassy, therefore, was hateful, since the Prophet begins with this insult: "If you wish to hear, hear; but if not, I am not concerned." Those who are sent as ambassadors are usually ordered to try whether they can conciliate, by courteous and friendly discourse, those with whom they have to deal.

But God here follows a completely contrary method. For what is the meaning of these words, He who hears, let him hear: he who desists, let him desist? It means that the Israelites may understand that the Prophet was sent to them, not because there was any hope of their becoming wise again—since they had demonstrated by numerous experiences that they were altogether desperate—but the Lord sends the Prophet so that He may strike and wound them further, and finally inflict a deadly blow.

Now, therefore, we see confirmed what the Prophet previously brought forward: that the office of teaching was given to him, not because his labor would be useful and fruitful for the common people, but so that he might inflame the Israelites to madness if they were unwilling to become wise again. His purpose was to break them if they would not bend, and if they rejected him, he was to accuse them before God, who would be their judge. In the meantime, the course of prophetic teaching would be free, however stubbornly they might resist it.

Now we understand the Prophet's intention. This also confirms what I have recently touched upon: that God deals with the reprobate in various ways.

Sometimes He makes it doubtful whether they are curable and destines prophets for them who should exhort them to repentance. But when He sees them in their ingratitude burying all the light, then He deprives them of all doctrine. Afterwards, light shines forth again, but eventually, other and denser darkness succeeds.

Therefore, let us hasten as long as the doctrine of salvation shines upon us, lest God darken all our minds and senses and deprive us of that unique benefit, when the image of His paternal favor is engraved on us, as we have said. Let us continue.