Ezekiel 2:8
And you, son of man, listen to what I tell you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I give you."
And you, son of man,
The term "son of man" is a title used frequently in Ezekiel, emphasizing the prophet's humanity and his role as a representative of the people. It underscores the distinction between God and man, highlighting Ezekiel's position as a mediator. This title is also significant in the New Testament, where Jesus frequently refers to Himself as the "Son of Man," indicating His role as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity.

listen to what I tell you.
This command underscores the importance of obedience to God's word. In the context of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry, listening implies not just hearing but also understanding and acting upon God's instructions. This theme of obedience is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in James 1:22, which urges believers to be doers of the word, not merely hearers.

Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house.
The "rebellious house" refers to the nation of Israel, which had consistently turned away from God's commandments. Historically, Israel's rebellion led to their exile and suffering. This warning to Ezekiel serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the need for faithfulness. The theme of rebellion and its consequences is a recurring motif in the Old Testament, seen in the narratives of the wilderness wanderings and the period of the judges.

Open your mouth and eat what I give you.”
This phrase introduces the symbolic act of eating the scroll, which occurs in the following chapter. Eating the scroll represents internalizing God's message, making it a part of oneself. This act is similar to the experience of the Apostle John in Revelation 10:9-10, where he also eats a scroll. It signifies the prophet's acceptance of his mission and the necessity of fully embracing God's word to proclaim it effectively. The imagery of eating God's word is a powerful metaphor for the sustenance and life that come from divine revelation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites.

2. God
The sovereign Lord who commissions Ezekiel to speak to the rebellious Israelites.

3. Israelites
The rebellious house referred to in the passage, representing the people of Israel who have turned away from God.

4. Babylonian Exile
The historical context in which Ezekiel receives his prophetic call, as the Israelites are in captivity due to their disobedience.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Word
Ezekiel is commanded to listen and not rebel, highlighting the importance of obedience in our relationship with God.

Internalization of Scripture
The act of eating the scroll symbolizes taking God's word into our hearts and minds, making it a part of us.

Resistance to Rebellion
The Israelites' rebellion serves as a warning against turning away from God's commands, urging us to remain faithful.

Prophetic Responsibility
Ezekiel's role underscores the responsibility of those who are called to speak God's truth, emphasizing the need for courage and faithfulness.

Divine Provision
God provides the message Ezekiel is to deliver, reminding us that He equips us for the tasks He assigns.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Ezekiel's call to not rebel against God apply to our daily lives and decisions?

2. In what ways can we "eat" or internalize God's word today, and why is this important?

3. What are some modern examples of rebellion against God's commands, and how can we guard against them?

4. How does the concept of prophetic responsibility in Ezekiel's time relate to the role of Christian leaders today?

5. Reflect on a time when you felt God provided you with the words or wisdom you needed. How did this experience strengthen your faith?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 1:9
Similar to Ezekiel, Jeremiah is called by God and given His words to speak, emphasizing the divine origin of the prophet's message.

Revelation 10:9-10
John is instructed to eat a scroll, symbolizing the internalization of God's message, akin to Ezekiel's experience.

Psalm 119:103
Highlights the sweetness of God's words, encouraging believers to internalize and delight in His teachings.
Prophetic ReceptivenessJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 2:8
The Commission to Prophetic ServiceW. Jones Ezekiel 2:3-8
God's Ambassador a WarriorJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 2:6-8
Ministers Exposed to Corruption by Their PeopleN. Emmons, D. D.Ezekiel 2:8-10
The Bible: a Record of Human SorrowsU. R. Thomas.Ezekiel 2:8-10
The God-Made MinisterA. Whyte, D. D.Ezekiel 2:8-10
People
Ezekiel, Israelites
Places
Chebar
Topics
Ear, Eat, Giving, Listen, Mouth, Open, Rebel, Rebellious, Speaking, Uncontrolled
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 2:8

     1690   word of God
     2233   Son of Man
     6222   rebellion, against God

Ezekiel 2:5-8

     6223   rebellion, of Israel

Ezekiel 2:8-3:4

     5194   touch

Library
Endurance of the World's Censure.
"And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them; neither be afraid of their words, though briars and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions; be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house."--Ezekiel ii. 6. What is here implied, as the trial of the Prophet Ezekiel, was fulfilled more or less in the case of all the Prophets. They were not Teachers merely, but Confessors. They came not merely to unfold the Law, or to foretell the Gospel,
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Epistle xxxvi. To Maximus, Bishop of Salona .
To Maximus, Bishop of Salona [113] . Gregory to Maximus, &c. When our common son the presbyter Veteranus came to the Roman city, he found me so weak from the pains of gout as to be quite unable to answer thy Fraternity's letters myself. And indeed with regard to the nation of the Sclaves [114] , from which you are in great danger, I am exceedingly afflicted and disturbed. I am afflicted as suffering already in your suffering: I am disturbed, because they have already begun to enter Italy by way
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Epistle Xlv. To Theoctista, Patrician .
To Theoctista, Patrician [153] . Gregory to Theoctista, &c. We ought to give great thanks to Almighty God, that our most pious and most benignant Emperors have near them kinsfolk of their race, whose life and conversation is such as to give us all great joy. Hence too we should continually pray for these our lords, that their life, with that of all who belong to them, may by the protection of heavenly grace be preserved through long and tranquil times. I have to inform you, however, that I have
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

St. Malachy Becomes Bishop of Connor; He Builds the Monastery of iveragh.
16. (10). At that time an episcopal see was vacant,[321] and had long been vacant, because Malachy would not assent: for they had elected him to it.[322] But they persisted, and at length he yielded when their entreaties were enforced by the command of his teacher,[323] together with that of the metropolitan.[324] It was when he was just entering the thirtieth year of his age,[325] that he was consecrated bishop and brought to Connor; for that was the name of the city through ignorance of Irish ecclesiastical
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Ezekiel 2:8 NIV
Ezekiel 2:8 NLT
Ezekiel 2:8 ESV
Ezekiel 2:8 NASB
Ezekiel 2:8 KJV

Ezekiel 2:8 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Ezekiel 2:7
Top of Page
Top of Page