Ezekiel 3:27
But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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God gives Ezekiel a powerful, almost dismissive, closing statement for the rebellious people: "He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse." This isn't about Ezekiel giving up, but about God affirming the people’s stubborn choice and placing the responsibility squarely on their shoulders. It's a stark reminder that while God offers His word, He also allows individuals the freedom to reject it, with all the consequences that follow.
God is about to empower Ezekiel to speak after a period of being silenced, but this time, the message is framed with a stark warning about the people's stubborn rebellion. The prophet is to deliver God's words directly, with the understanding that many will refuse to listen, prompting a solemn declaration from God that he will ultimately judge their rejection. This sets the stage for Ezekiel's challenging ministry to a people who have largely rejected God's authority and warnings.
Ezekiel was silenced, but God promises to unlock his voice. What does this divine intervention reveal about prophecy and obedience?
Ezekiel’s ministry is marked by periods of enforced silence and divine release. Here, God explicitly states, "I will open your mouth." This isn't about Ezekiel finding his voice; it’s about God sovereignly choosing when and how His prophet speaks. This highlights that prophecy isn't merely human rhetoric but a divinely empowered proclamation. When God speaks through a prophet, it's a significant event, carrying His full authority.
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The message is clear: people will either hear God's word or refuse it. Why does God present this stark dichotomy, and what does it mean for the rebellious house?
The latter half of the verse presents a sobering reality of human response to God's word: "He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse." This isn't an endorsement of indifference, but a declaration of God's allowance for human free will, even in rebellion.
Understand the original words
Adonai YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The title Adonai Yahweh, emphasizing both God's sovereign authority as Master/Lord and His covenantal faithfulness as the self-existent I AM.
shama · Hebrew Verb
The act of listening with the intent of internalizing and obeying God's message; biblical hearing is inseparable from a response of submission.
chadal · Hebrew Verb
The act of consciously disregarding or turning away from divine authority, signifying a hardening of the heart and the exercise of human free will in rejecting God.
Ezekiel's ministry takes place in the heart of the Babylonian exile, a time when the people were deeply disillusioned and resistant to God's word. This context highlights the stark choice God presents: to hear and live, or to refuse and face the consequences of their rebellion, a choice already evidenced by their historical path leading to exile.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Deportations Begin
The Neo-Assyrian Empire begins systematic deportations of conquered populations, a practice that deeply impacted the identity and national consciousness of Israel and Judah.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a group of its people, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation and Jehoiachin's Exile
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports another group of Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the priest Ezekiel, to Babylon.
c. 593-571 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Ministry Begins
Ezekiel begins his prophetic ministry in Babylon, addressing the exiles and delivering messages from God. This verse is part of his early commission.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the kingdom of Judah and leading to a final, larger deportation of its people.
This passage describes the prophet's mouth being opened after the fall of Jerusalem, directly referencing the promise in Ezekiel 3:27 and showing the fulfillment of this constrained prophecy.
Jeremiah 1:7Similar to Ezekiel, Jeremiah was told he would speak whatever the Lord commanded, highlighting the divine empowerment and authority behind the prophet's words, even to a rebellious people.
Deuteronomy 30:19This verse presents the stark choice between life and death, blessing and curse, mirroring the 'hear or refuse' aspect of Ezekiel 3:27 and the ultimate consequences of the people's choice.
John 12:48Jesus echoes the sentiment that those who refuse His words will be judged by them, showing a consistent theme of God's word being a decisive factor, with accountability for those who reject it.
Amos 3:8This verse emphasizes that when the Lord roars, the prophet must prophesy, illustrating the irresistible call to speak God's message, just as Ezekiel was compelled to speak despite the people's rebellion.
pooleEzekiel 3:27: "But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house."
When I speak with thee; whenever I shall reveal any thing to thee; or, when I shall have discovered all to thee which thy people should be informed in; then I will open thy lips, and loose they tongue, and give thee power to speak. Thou shalt say unto them; in point of du…
barnesEzekiel 3:27: "But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house."
He that heareth ... - The judicial blindness of which Ezekiel speaks had already fallen upon the great body of the nation ( Ezekiel 14:4 . Compare Revelation 2:7 ; Revelation 22:11 ).
God gives Ezekiel a powerful, almost dismissive, closing statement for the rebellious people: "He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse." This isn't about Ezekiel giving up, but about God affirming the people’s stubborn choice and placing the responsibility squarely on their shoulders. It's a stark reminder that while God offers His word, He also allows individuals the freedom to reject it, with all the consequences that follow.
God is about to empower Ezekiel to speak after a period of being silenced, but this time, the message is framed with a stark warning about the people's stubborn rebellion. The prophet is to deliver God's words directly, with the understanding that many will refuse to listen, prompting a solemn declaration from God that he will ultimately judge their rejection. This sets the stage for Ezekiel's challenging ministry to a people who have largely rejected God's authority and warnings.
God is about to empower Ezekiel to speak after a period of being silenced, but this time, the message is framed with a stark warning about the people's stubborn rebellion. The prophet is to deliver God's words directly, with the understanding that many will refuse to listen, prompting a solemn declaration from God that he will ultimately judge their rejection. This sets the stage for Ezekiel's challenging ministry to a people who have largely rejected God's authority and warnings.
"But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house." — God gives Ezekiel a powerful, almost dismissive, closing statement for the rebellious people: "He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse." This isn't about Ezekie…
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