Ezekiel 2:8

8 "Mortal man, listen to what I tell you. Don't be rebellious like them. Open your mouth and eat what I am going to 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 "But you, mortal man, must not be afraid of them or of anything they say. They will defy and despise you; it will be like living among scorpions. Still, don't be afraid of those rebels or of anything they say.

7 You will tell them whatever I tell you to say, whether they listen or not. Remember what rebels they are.

8 "Mortal man, listen to what I tell you. Don't be rebellious like them. Open your mouth and eat what I am going to give you."

9 I saw a hand reaching out toward me, and it was holding a scroll.

10 The hand unrolled the scroll, and I saw that there was writing on both sides - cries of grief were written there, and wails and groans.