Sixth Sunday after Pentecost—July 8, 2012

Ezekiel 2:1-5

“He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet...” vs. 1

     Ezekiel is being placed in the prophetic office.  He has just beheld a mysterious and incomprehensible vision and been so dazzled by the glory of the Lord that he fell to the ground, face in the dirt.  While he is in that position—one that recalls Genesis 3:19 “you are dust and to dust you shall return”—the humbled Ezekiel receives a personal address.  The mysterious vision and dazzling glory had produced a mighty and chaotic sound but now, in a word from his Lord, Ezekiel is given a new standing.  Just like he had no time to consider whether or not to fall on his face, Ezekiel has no time to consider whether or not he will stand because the Spirit entered him and stood him up… up on his feet and upright before the Lord. 

     The movement Ezekiel underwent here in these first two verses is the movement of confession and absolution.  Ezekiel, confronted by the glory of the Lord, is struck down to the dust, humbled and repented.  So, too, are you when you are confronted by the glory of the Lord delivered in the Word (“God who is faithful and just” even in the face of his people’s sinful rebellion).  Ezekiel, from that position of humility and reminded of his mortality, hears the Lord speaking, has the Holy Spirit enter him, and is set on his feet by it.  So, too, are you when you’ve been repented and driven to a confession (an agreement with God) of your sinfulness; God’s word of forgiveness delivers the Holy Spirit and you are righteous, upright, and justified—blameless (cf. Ge. 3:12)—before your Lord.


Table Talk
Timothy J. Swenson

The Institute of Lutheran Theology

www.ilt.org