Ezekiel 2 Bible Commentary

John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes

(Read all of Ezekiel 2)

Verse 1

[1] And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.

And — He that sat upon the throne, Jesus Christ.

Son of man — A phrase which is ninety-five times, at least, used in this prophecy to keep him humble who had such great revelations.

Stand — Arise, fear not. And with this command God sent forth a power enabling him to rise and stand.

Verse 2

[2] And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.

The spirit — The same spirit which actuated the living creatures.

Verse 5

[5] And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

Shall know — They that obey shall know by the good I will do them, those that will not, by the evil which I will bring upon them.

Verse 6

[6] And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers 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.

Words — Accusations, threats, or whatever else a malicious heart can suggest to the tongue.

Briars — Which usually run up among thorns, are a very fit emblem of the frowardness and keenness of sinners against God and his prophet.

Scorpious — Malicious, revengeful men. They that will do any thing to purpose in the service of God, must not fear the faces of men.

Verse 8

[8] But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.

Hear — Obey.

Open — This was done only in a vision.

Verse 9

[9] And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;

Roll — Their books were not like ours, but written in parchment and in the length of it, and so one piece fastened to another, 'till the whole would contain what was to be written, and then it was wrapped or rolled about a round piece of wood, fashioned for that purpose.

Verse 10

[10] And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

And — The person, who held out his hand.

Spread — Unrolled it.

Within … — On both sides, on that side which was inward when rolled, and on that side also that was outward.