Ezekiel 2:8

8 But you, son of man, give ear to what I say to you, and do not be uncontrolled like that uncontrolled people: let your mouth be open and take what I give you.

Ezekiel 2:8 Meaning and 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 that looked like rebellion; as in, attention to what was said to him hesitation about it, or backwardness to publish it; open thy mouth;
be ready to receive what should be given, as a symbol of the prophecy he was to deliver. The Targum is,

``incline thy soul, and receive what I give thee.''

Jarchi's note is incline thine ear and hear and let it be sweet to thee, as if thou didst eat food for hunger; and Kimchi observes, the intention of the figurative expression is to learn the words of the prophecy, and to remember them: and eat that I give thee;
which may be safely done; for Christ gives his ministers and people nothing but what is wholesome; his doctrines are wholesome words and may be eaten without fear, ( 1 Timothy 6:3 ) .

Ezekiel 2:8 In-Context

6 And you, son of man, have no fear of them or of their words, even if sharp thorns are round you and you are living among scorpions: have no fear of their words and do not be overcome by their looks, for they are an uncontrolled people.

7 And you are to give them my words, if they give ear to you or if they do not: for they are uncontrolled.

8 But you, son of man, give ear to what I say to you, and do not be uncontrolled like that uncontrolled people: let your mouth be open and take what I give you.

9 And looking, I saw a hand stretched out to me, and I saw the roll of a book in it;

10 And he put it open before me, and it had writing on the front and on the back; words of grief and sorrow and trouble were recorded in it.