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Ezekiel 3:7
But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israelare impudent and hardhearted.

Deuteronomy 10:16
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

Deuteronomy 31:27
For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?

impudent [heb] hard of face

Proverbs 21:29
A wicked man hardeneth his face: butas for the upright, he directeth his way.

Thus

1 Kings 22:14
And Micaiah said,As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.

Jeremiah 26:2,3
Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word: …

Acts 20:26,27
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that Iam pure from the blood of allmen…

I am sending you to them,
God's commissioning of Ezekiel emphasizes the prophet's role as a divine messenger. This sending mirrors the calling of other prophets, such as Isaiah (Isaiah 6:8) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:7), who were also sent to a rebellious people. The act of sending signifies God's continued pursuit of His people, despite their disobedience. It underscores the importance of prophetic ministry in conveying God's will and calling His people to repentance. This mission is not just a task but a divine mandate, reflecting God's sovereignty and His desire for His people to return to Him.

and you are to say to them,
Ezekiel's role is to deliver God's message faithfully, regardless of the people's response. This directive highlights the prophet's duty to speak God's words, not his own, ensuring that the message remains untainted by personal bias. The emphasis on speaking directly to the people underscores the importance of clear and direct communication in prophetic ministry. This mirrors the role of Jesus Christ, who spoke with authority and clarity, delivering God's message to humanity (John 12:49-50).

‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’
The phrase establishes the divine authority behind Ezekiel's message. It is a common prophetic formula that authenticates the message as coming directly from God, not from human origin. This declaration is crucial for distinguishing true prophecy from false, as seen inDeuteronomy 18:20-22. The use of "Lord GOD" (YHWH Elohim) emphasizes God's covenantal relationship with Israel and His supreme authority. This phrase also foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's word through Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh (John 1:14), embodying the fullness of divine truth and authority.

- God describes Israel with blunt clarity, echoing earlier indictments such as “You have been rebellious against the LORD from the day I knew you” (Deuteronomy 9:7) and “This is a rebellious people, deceitful children” (Isaiah 30:9).

- The terms “obstinate” and “stubborn” reveal hearts hardened by willful sin, not mere ignorance. Like the “bronze and iron” people ofJeremiah 6:28, they resist correction.

- Their disposition illustrates mankind’s natural bent: “You stiff-necked people, resisting the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51). The problem is moral and relational, not intellectual.

- By labeling them children, God underscores covenant intimacy—even disciplined, they remain His family (Hosea 11:1).

- Despite their rebellion, God acts first: He commissions Ezekiel, just as He did Isaiah (“Whom shall I send?”—Isaiah 6:8) and Jeremiah (“You must go to everyone I send you”—Jeremiah 1:7).

- The initiative is divine; the prophet is merely “sent,” reflecting Jesus’ words, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21).

- God’s sending highlights grace: He pursues sinners rather than abandoning them (Romans 5:8).

- For servants today, the task is similar—go to resistant hearts, trusting the Sender’s authority (Matthew 28:19-20).

- Ezekiel’s role is to speak, not to edit or negotiate. Like Balaam who confessed, “Must I not speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?” (Numbers 22:38), the prophet delivers exactly what he receives.

- Faithfulness is measured by obedience, not by audience response. Paul echoes this: “We are ambassadors… God making His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

- The phrase guards against fear of rejection; the messenger’s duty stands even if listeners “refuse to listen” (Ezekiel 2:5).

- Every oracle begins with this formula, underscoring that the message carries divine, not human, authority (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

- “Lord GOD” (Adonai Yahweh) stresses both sovereignty and covenant loyalty, reminding hearers that disobedience is directed against their own Deliverer (Exodus 20:2).

- The statement demands a response: God’s word “is living and active” (Hebrews 4:12) and its verdict cannot be ignored (Revelation 2:7).

- Declaring Scripture as God’s word remains central today; only such proclamation penetrates stubborn hearts (Romans 10:17).

Ezekiel 2:4 shows a holy God confronting a hard-hearted people through a faithful messenger. Israel’s obstinacy illustrates the universal human condition, yet God’s grace shines as He sends His prophet anyway. Ezekiel must speak precisely what God says, resting in the authority of the divine word. The passage calls believers to trust Scripture’s power and to proclaim it without compromise, confident that the Lord who sends still softens stubborn hearts.