יחזקאל, פרק ג׳, פסוק י״ז

A heavy period of quiet is suddenly broken by a divine message that defines the immense weight of prophetic responsibility. God rebukes the prophet for sitting in silence, making it clear that remaining quiet actively endangers lives. He must step up to his duty and deliver vital warnings to both individuals and the wider public [רש״י, מלבי״ם, חומת אנך].

The prophet is appointed to function as a seer or lookout [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The primary approach among commentators compares this role to a guard stationed high atop a city tower, scanning the horizon. A regular guard's duty is to spot an approaching enemy and sound a horn, alerting the residents to gather and defend themselves. In a similar way, the prophet acts as a spiritual watchman. However, rather than warning of a physical army with swords of flesh and blood, he alerts the people to impending divine disaster [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].

Whenever God reveals a decree of hardship, the prophet is strictly obligated to act. He must relay the warning to the people, urging them to repent so they can be saved from the punishment before it strikes [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. This urgent message must be delivered directly on behalf of God, acting entirely in His name and on His mission [רד״ק, מצודת דוד], or driven by His divine power [ביאור שטיינזלץ].