Ezekiel 3:14 Study Bible: So the Spirit lifted me up, and took me away; and I went in bitterness, in the anger of my spirit; and the hand of the LORD was strong on me.

◄ Ezekiel 3:14 ►

So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me.

Study Bible

So the Spirit lifted me up
The phrase "the Spirit lifted me up" indicates a divine action, where the Spirit of God actively engages with Ezekiel, elevating him both physically and spiritually. The Hebrew word for "Spirit" here is "רוּחַ" (ruach), which can mean wind, breath, or spirit. This suggests a powerful, life-giving force that is not only guiding but also empowering Ezekiel. In the context of the prophetic tradition, being lifted by the Spirit signifies a transition into a state of divine revelation or mission, emphasizing the authority and presence of God in the prophet's life.

and took me away
The phrase "and took me away" implies a relocation or a change in position, both physically and metaphorically. The Hebrew verb "לָקַח" (laqach) means to take, seize, or capture. This suggests that Ezekiel is being moved by divine compulsion, indicating that his prophetic journey is not of his own choosing but is directed by God's sovereign will. This movement underscores the theme of obedience and submission to God's plan, a recurring motif in the lives of the prophets.

and I went in bitterness
The expression "and I went in bitterness" reveals Ezekiel's emotional state as he embarks on his mission. The Hebrew word for "bitterness" is "מַר" (mar), which conveys a sense of distress or sorrow. This highlights the internal struggle and the weight of the prophetic burden Ezekiel carries. It reflects the reality that following God's call can be challenging and filled with personal sacrifice, yet it is a necessary part of fulfilling divine purpose.

and in the anger of my spirit
The phrase "and in the anger of my spirit" further describes Ezekiel's emotional turmoil. The Hebrew word for "anger" is "חֵמָה" (chemah), which can denote fury or indignation. This suggests that Ezekiel is not only distressed but also deeply troubled by the message he must deliver and the resistance he anticipates from the people. It underscores the intensity of the prophetic calling and the righteous indignation that often accompanies the proclamation of God's truth in the face of sin and rebellion.

with the strong hand of the LORD upon me
The concluding phrase "with the strong hand of the LORD upon me" signifies divine empowerment and support. The "strong hand" is a metaphor for God's power and authority, often used in the Hebrew Bible to describe God's intervention in human affairs. This indicates that despite Ezekiel's personal struggles, he is under the protection and guidance of the Almighty. The phrase reassures that God's presence is with him, providing the strength and courage needed to fulfill his prophetic mission. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's faithfulness and the assurance that He equips those He calls to serve Him.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezekiel
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He is the central figure in this passage, experiencing a divine encounter.

2. The Spirit
Refers to the Spirit of God, who empowers and directs Ezekiel, lifting him up and taking him to his prophetic mission.

3. The Strong Hand of the LORD
Symbolizes God's powerful presence and authority over Ezekiel, guiding and sustaining him despite his personal feelings.

4. Bitterness and Anger
Reflects Ezekiel's emotional state as he grapples with the weight of his prophetic calling and the rebelliousness of the people he is sent to.

5. Babylonian Exile
The historical context in which Ezekiel prophesied, where the Israelites were in captivity due to their disobedience to God.

Teaching Points

The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Spirit empowers and directs believers, even when the path is difficult or emotionally challenging. We must be open to His leading.

Emotional Honesty in Ministry
Ezekiel's bitterness and anger remind us that serving God can be emotionally taxing. It's important to acknowledge and process these feelings while remaining obedient.

God's Sovereign Hand
The "strong hand of the LORD" assures us of God's control and support in our lives, especially when we face daunting tasks.

Obedience Despite Emotions
Like Ezekiel, we are called to obey God's commands even when our emotions are conflicted. Trust in God's purpose and plan is essential.

The Weight of a Prophetic Message
Understanding the gravity of delivering God's message can be overwhelming, but it is a necessary burden for the sake of truth and transformation.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the role of the Spirit in Ezekiel's life compare to the Spirit's role in the New Testament believers' lives?

2. In what ways can we relate to Ezekiel's feelings of bitterness and anger in our own spiritual journeys?

3. How does acknowledging God's "strong hand" in our lives provide comfort and assurance during challenging times?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to remain obedient to God's calling, even when our emotions are in turmoil?

5. How can we support others who are struggling with the weight of their spiritual responsibilities, similar to Ezekiel's experience?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Jeremiah 20:9
Similar to Ezekiel, Jeremiah experiences an internal struggle with his prophetic calling, feeling compelled by God's word despite personal reluctance.

Acts 8:39
The Spirit's role in guiding and transporting Philip after baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch parallels the Spirit's action in Ezekiel's life.

Isaiah 8:11
The "strong hand of the LORD" is also mentioned, emphasizing God's authoritative guidance over His prophets.

Sermons

Human Bitterness and Divine Strength	J.R. Thomson	Ezekiel 3:14
Ambassadorship	J.D. Davies	Ezekiel 3:4-14
In the Uplifted Life We are Fitted to Do the Lord's Work	A. W. Welch.	Ezekiel 3:14-15

People

Ezekiel

Places

Chebar, Tel-abib

Topics

Anger, Bitterly, Bitterness, Embittered, Heat, Lifted, Lifting, Rage, Spirit, Strong, Wind

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Ezekiel 3:14

     1265   hand of God
     3030   Holy Spirit, power
     3272   Holy Spirit, in OT
     5063   spirit, nature of
     5799   bitterness
     7372   hands, laying on

Library

Cæsarius of Arles.
He was born in the district of Chalons-sur-Saone, A. D. 470. He seems to have been early awakened, by a pious education, to vital Christianity. When he was between seven and eight years old, it would often happen that he would give a portion of his clothes to the poor whom he met, and would say, when he came home, that he had been, constrained to do so. When yet a youth, he entered the celebrated convent on the island of Lerins, (Lerina,) in Provence, from which a spirit of deep and practical piety …
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

Boniface, Apostle of the Germans.
BONIFACE, or Winfried, as they called him in Anglo-Saxon, born at Crediton in Devonshire, in 680, deserves to be honoured as the father of the German Church, although he was by no means the first who brought the seeds of the Gospel to Germany. Many had already laboured before him; but the efforts which had been made here and there did not suffice to secure the endurance of Christianity amongst the many perils to which it was exposed. Christianity needs to be linked with firm ecclesiastical institutions, …
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

Epistle xxxiv. To Venantius, Ex-Monk, Patrician of Syracuse .
To Venantius, Ex-Monk, Patrician of Syracuse [1331] . Gregory to Venantius, &c. Many foolish men have supposed that, if I were advanced to the rank of the episcopate, I should decline to address thee, or to keep up communication with thee by letter. But this is not so; since I am compelled by the very necessity of my position not to hold my peace. For it is written, Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet (Isai. lviii. 1). And again it is written, I have given thee for a watchman …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Greatness of the Soul,
AND UNSPEAKABLENESS 0F THE LOSS THEREOF; WITH THE CAUSES OF THE LOSING IT. FIRST PREACHED AT PINNER'S HALL and now ENLARGED AND PUBLISHED FOR GOOD. By JOHN BUNYAN, London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1682 Faithfully reprinted from the Author's First Edition. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Our curiosity is naturally excited to discover what a poor, unlettered mechanic, whose book-learning had been limited to the contents of one volume, could by possibility know …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Servant's Inflexible Resolve
'For the Lord God will help Me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set My face like a flint.'--ISAIAH l. 7. What a striking contrast between the tone of these words and of the preceding! There all is gentleness, docility, still communion, submission, patient endurance. Here all is energy and determination, resistance and martial vigour. It is like the contrast between a priest and a warrior. And that gentleness is the parent of this boldness. The same Will which is all submission …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9

The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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