What does Ezekiel 14:2 teach about God's communication with His prophets? Verse Snapshot “And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,” (Ezekiel 14:2) Key Observations about God’s Communication - God speaks: the phrase “the word of the LORD came” shows divine initiative. - God speaks directly: the message is not filtered through another human voice before it reaches Ezekiel; it comes straight from the LORD. - The prophet recognizes the source: Ezekiel knows with certainty that the speaker is the LORD, underscoring that true prophecy carries unmistakable divine authority. - The communication is verbal and specific: “saying” implies articulated content, not vague impressions. The Source: God Initiates - Scripture never portrays prophets persuading God to speak; rather, “the word of the LORD came” (cf. Jeremiah 1:2; Hosea 1:1). - Hebrews 1:1 affirms that “God spoke to our fathers through the prophets,” highlighting His sovereign choice to reveal Himself. The Messenger: A Listening Servant - Ezekiel positions himself to receive God’s word; he is available and attentive (Ezekiel 3:22–23). - Prophetic authority depends on reception, not personal insight: 2 Peter 1:21, “Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” The Message: Authoritative and Clear - “The word of the LORD” signals infallibility; the prophet is bound to relay it exactly (Ezekiel 3:27). - God’s speech carries inherent power (Isaiah 55:11); once given, it accomplishes His purpose. Consistency Across Scripture - Similar wording appears throughout the prophetic books, reinforcing a unified pattern of revelation (e.g., Jonah 1:1; Zechariah 4:8). - This uniform formula underscores the reliability of the prophetic corpus as the literal, accurate word of God. Take-Home Truths - Divine communication is God-initiated, not man-manufactured. - Prophets serve as conduits, faithfully transmitting what they hear. - When Scripture records that “the word of the LORD came,” believers can trust the message as the exact, authoritative voice of God. |
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