Ezekiel 2:8-3:27

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 2:6-10

The prophet, having received his commission, here receives a charge with it. It is a post of honour to which he is advanced, but withal it is a post of service and work, and it is here required of him, I. That he be bold. He must act in the discharge of this trust with an undaunted courage and resolution, and not be either driven off from his work or made to drive on heavily, by the difficulties and oppositions that he would be likely to meet with in it: Son of man, be not afraid of them,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 2:8

But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee ,.... Which was necessary because he was to speak not his own words, but the Lord's, and therefore ought to hear before he spoke; and indeed those that speak in a public way, for the instruction of others, ought to hear and learn of Christ first: be not thou rebellious, like that rebellious house ; who would not hear what was said unto them; but they were not to be imitated no, not in a lesser degree: the prophet was to avoid everything... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 2:8

Open thy mouth and eat that I give thee - Take my word as thou wouldst take thy proper food; receive it into thy heart; ponder it there, that it may be the means of strengthening and preserving thy soul, as proper nourishment will strengthen the body, and preserve from death. And the people to whom such messages of God may come should so hear it read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest it, that it may become efficient nourishment to their souls. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 2:8

Verse 8 God continues to confirm his servant, but he advises him of a cause of stumbling which might break his spirit; for when he perceived the great obstinacy of the house of Israel, he might refuse the office of their teacher a hundred times over. God, however, adds incentives and exhortations to perseverance, although he experiences the abandoned obstinacy of the house of Israel: do thou hear, says he, what I shall say to thee Here we see that no one can discharge the teacher’s office,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 2:3-8

The commission to prophetic service. "And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel," etc. We have here— I. A DISCOURAGING SPHERE OF PROPHETIC SERVICE . ( Ezekiel 2:3 , Ezekiel 2:4 .) Ezekiel was sent to: 1 . A people who had mournfully fallen. "I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me." By descent they were sons of Israel, who had engaged in mighty wrestling with God, and by faith had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 2:6-8

God's ambassador a warrior. The path of duty, since the Fall, is never smooth. We may have an inward sense of delight—tranquil satisfaction, arising from the approval of conscience and the smile of God—but from without we must expect sharp opposition. There is demand for vigilance, skill, and courage. I. OPPOSITION FORESEEN . Men who have long time departed from God are not easily induced to return. The tree that has grown wildly crooked, cannot readily be restored to straightness... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 2:8

Be not thou rebellious, etc. The words convey a warning against the prophet's natural weakness. Instinctively he shrank, as Moses had done ( Exodus 3:11 ; Exodus 4:10-13 ) and Isaiah ( Isaiah 6:5 ) and Jeremiah ( Jeremiah 1:6 ), from his dread vocation of being a "mortal vessel of the Divine Word." In so shrinking he would identify himself with the very "rebellion" which he was sent to reprove, and would incur its punishment. Eat that I give thee. As in the parallel of Revelation... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 2:8

Faithful among the faithless. Ezekiel is to go among the rebellious people; but he is to be most careful not to rebel himself against the will of God. Though he stand alone, yet he must be true. I. A SEVERE TRIAL . It is difficult to be faithful among the faithless. There is a subtle poison in the atmosphere of evil society. No doubt Christ instituted his Church in part that his followers might be lifted out of the malarious regions of sinful associations, and drawn into a more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 2:8

Prophetic receptiveness. This Book of Ezekiel is one abounding in figure and symbol; it would be a mistake to take all its contents literally. When we read that the prophet was required by God to eat that which was given him, and are then informed that a written scroll was that which was to be eaten, we are at first surprised. But then we recollect that eating has been in many religions regarded as a sacred and symbolical act. The Mosaic dispensation had its Paschal meal, and the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 2:6-8

Ezekiel 2:6-8. And thou, be not afraid of them “The prophets and messengers of God are often exhorted to take courage, and are promised a proportionable assistance in the discharge of their office, without fearing any man’s person, or standing in awe of any man’s greatness.” Lowth. Neither be afraid of their words Their accusations, threats, or whatever else a malicious heart can suggest to the tongue. Though briers and thorns be with thee Though thou art among such as study to vex and... read more

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