יחזקאל, פרק ב׳, פסוק ה׳

A divine mission often requires delivering a difficult warning to an unwilling audience. God commands the prophet to speak to the people, fully aware that they are deeply stubborn. The prophet must deliver the message regardless of how the crowd will react [מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ]. There is an inherent doubt about their response; they might choose to listen, or they might choose to ignore the warning [רש״י, רד״ק]. Another perspective suggests that the choice placed before them is not merely about listening, but about whether they will actively stop their sinful behavior [רד״ק].

The uncertainty regarding their willingness to change stems from their deeply rebellious nature [מצודת ציון]. They are a provoking and defiant group [רש״י], carrying a legacy of disobedience and disrespect passed down from their ancestors [שטיינזלץ]. Because this defiance is so deeply ingrained, it is highly probable that they will ignore the prophet's voice, even when he speaks directly in the name of God [מצודת דוד, רד״ק].

This raises a natural question: why send a prophet if the people are unlikely to listen? The primary approach among commentators is that the success of the mission is not measured by an immediate change in behavior, but by a future realization. Eventually, when the warnings come true and disaster strikes, the people will look back and recognize that a true prophet lived among them. They will understand that someone tried to guide them and that they actively chose to ignore the message [רש״י, רד״ק, שטיינזלץ]. Ultimately, this future awareness serves a crucial purpose. When the punishment arrives, the people will not be able to question God's justice, as they will know with absolute certainty that He gave them a clear and proper warning before any harm came their way [מצודת דוד].