“And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house.” Ezekiel 2:6
God finishes telling Ezekiel the message he is to give Israel from God. Now He has a warning for God knows the reaction his prophet will face. (This is true of Ezekiel and for those of us sent by God to live in the age we live in.) God know He is sending His prophet into a difficult situation. He is going to a people who are supposed to be God’s people but who are really more like the world they live in than God. God knows the world system has a tendency to squeeze his children into its mold – to make what should be God-like look world-like. So God has a personal word for His servant before He leaves on His mission.
And you God speaks to the man He has chosen to represent Him.
Son of man Once again, God reminds Ezekiel he is but a man. He cannot be successful in his own strength. He will succeed only as he abides close to God. Never forget that truth!
Do not be afraid of them God gives a command. His audience will be antagonistic to his message, a message straight from God. God tells
Ezekiel not to fear the people or their reaction. God knows what Solomon wrote, “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe”. The fear of man will set a trap for God’s messenger so he remains silent rather than faithful to speak God’s word. “Fear not!”
Nor be afraid of their words Ezekiel will face words intended to silence him – words of accusation, threat, mocking and taunting. Again God knows Ezekiel will face what Solomon wrote, “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts”. Ezekiel is to love God more than the applause of the world.
Though briers and thorns are with you God tells Ezekiel he will be hurt by the the words of these people. Just as walking through thorns creates pricks and draws blood so will Ezekiel be wounded. But God also reminds Ezekiel with His choice of words, that the reaction he will receive is the result of sin and its curse on the earth. The Lord would later tell us thorns “spring up, and choke” the words of God. Thorns and briars also entangle – often in meaningless activities that produce no value and which are hard to escape. Read 2 Timothy 2:4.
You dwell among scorpions Where Ezekiel is going is filled with scorpions – insects designed to inflict burning pain on men. Scorpions live in the wilderness, a place of dryness and testing. It is also interesting that in the Tribulation demons are released on the earth who have the power of scorpions and whose stings can torment men for five months. The world will sting us, it can’t defeat us.
Do not be afraid of their words God describes a situation that seems intimidating and so God gives this command to His servant for the 4th time. He uses the word for fear the second time. It can mean dread. It was used of Adam in the Garden after his sin when he was afraid to meet with God – he dreaded facing God. God tells Ezekiel do not fear or dread the words which will be (this is certain) spoken against him (the implication is to fear God and obey him no matter what).
Or dismayed by their looks God tells Ezekiel do not be discouraged by the way people perceive him or glare at him in hatred.
They are a rebellious house God tells Ezekiel why he will face these reactions – Israel is rebellious to God. Their hearts are hard to God’s
authority over them and Ezekiel’s words will not be received well. He is not to take it personally.
What can we learn? While God spoke these words to His prophet thousands of years ago His words are relevant to us today. The world we face is no less hateful or any more receptive than the audience that Ezekiel was sent to address.
God’s commands are still relevant to see us. Don’t let the thorn pricks of the world or even the sting of their scorpions’ tails keep us from
being faithful. Trust God, there is no need to fear a dying world.