Ezekiel 3:24

Ezekiel was like a prisoner of God. He was shut inside his house and tied with ropes.

It is not clear whether these ropes were real. Some think the other exiles tied him because they were hostile toward him. Others think this is a strong picture that shows their opposition and how his movements were restricted among them.

His captivity was complete. God also limited his speech (Ezekiel 3:26–27). This unusual situation was meant to be a sign to the people.

Old Testament prophetic books often begin with a “call narrative.” A call narrative describes how God chose and sent a prophet to serve in this role (for example, Jeremiah 1:4–19).

This account showed that the prophet’s message was legitimate. It made clear that the prophet spoke as the Lord’s ambassador (a representative sent with authority). The call narrative also introduced important themes that the book would explain more fully later.

In Ezekiel, the call narrative focuses on the Lord’s coming judgment on his people.