The Weight of a Call: Ezekiel's Posture and Our Own

The visions recorded in Ezekiel chapters 1 and 2 are, frankly, overwhelming. A swirling chariot, cherubim, a glorious expanse… It's a portrait of divine majesty that demands a posture of profound reverence. And Ezekiel, rightly, falls prostrate before the Lord. But the narrative doesn't end there. The Lord doesn't leave him wallowing in awe; He issues a call, a commission to speak to a rebellious and stubborn people. The transition from humility to service, from the ground to one’s feet, is a vital lesson for each of us.

Pastor Guzik rightly points out the significance of the phrase “son of man” – a designation that highlights Ezekiel’s humanity, his very ordinariness, in the face of such divine revelation. It’s a humbling reminder that God doesn’t typically select the mighty or the eloquent. He calls the meek, the hesitant, the ones who feel ill-equipped. The parallel to Jesus’s own adoption of the title, referencing Daniel 7:13 and the Messiah’s divine nature, adds another layer of significance. It’s not merely about identifying as one among many; it's about understanding that even in our weakness, we can be instruments of God’s power.

The command to “stand on your feet” isn't simply a physical instruction. It's a call to duty, a transition from passive observation to active engagement. As James Smith observed, servants stand in the presence of their master. This isn’t a call to arrogance, but to readiness, to a posture of humble service. We can be profoundly moved by the Spirit, filled with awe and wonder, yet still be called to deliver uncomfortable truths, to plead with a stiff-necked generation.

Consider the context: Ezekiel is tasked with speaking to a people who have turned away from God, who have embraced idolatry and injustice. His message will be met with resistance, scorn, and perhaps even violence. The weight of that responsibility is immense. Yet, the Lord doesn’t soften the task. He doesn’t offer a guarantee of easy acceptance. He simply calls Ezekiel to stand, to speak, and to trust in His power.

This resonates deeply with the experiences of prophets throughout the Restoration. Think of Joseph Smith, enduring persecution and ridicule as he translated the plates of brass and established the Church. Think of Brigham Young, leading the Saints westward through trials and hardships. Each faced opposition, each felt the sting of rejection, yet each remained steadfast in their calling, sustained by the power of the priesthood and the witness of the Holy Ghost. They understood that true discipleship isn't about popularity; it’s about obedience, about faithfulness, even unto death.

The Lord’s call to Ezekiel is a mirror reflecting our own. We, too, are called to speak truth, to warn the wicked, and to lift the fallen. We, too, will face opposition and resistance. But like Ezekiel, we can find strength in the vision of God's glory, and we can find courage in the knowledge that we are not alone. The Lord will sustain us, even when our knees tremble and our voices falter.

Let us examine our own postures – both literal and figurative – before the Lord. Are we willing to fall to our knees in humility, to acknowledge our dependence on Him? And are we then willing to rise, to stand, and to speak His word, regardless of the consequences?