Among the many symbolic actions that God commands Yehezkel to perform as part of his prophecy, one is to bind himself up with cords and remain silent. Up until now the prophet has been commanded to go and prophesy to the people. Now it seems that before he has a chance to say anything, he receives another prophecy that contradicts everything that has come before: he must shut himself in his house and refrain from reproving the nation, until he is instructed otherwise.
For how long was Yehezkel shut inside his house? If he was silent until the survivor came to inform him of the destruction of Jerusalem, to who were the many prophecies he received conveyed throughout these years?
Many possibilities are suggested, but all of them give rise to the same message: despite the skepticism of the exiles dwelling with Yehezkel, the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem is imminent, and the prophet’s message will have no effect on the people.
