2:1 He said to me, “Son of man [God used this term 93 times to refer to Ezekiel], stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.”

2:2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.

2:3 He said [God gave Ezekiel a tough assignment; cf. Isa. 6:9-13]: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites [Northern Kingdom no longer existed at this time; Ezekiel used this term to designate the people of the Southern Kingdom of Judah], to a rebellious nation that has rebelled [willful violation of God’s commands] against me; they and their fathers [indicates the practice of rebellion had begun with prior generations] have been in revolt [as evidenced by their idolatry] against me to this very day [the people continued in their rebellion against God].

2:4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate [literally means “hard of face” implying stubborn and willful opposition to God] and stubborn [hardhearted]. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says [phrase used to introduce a prophet’s words (cf. Amos 1:3,6; Obad. 1:1; Hag. 1:2) and emphasizes the prophet’s role as God’s messenger and one responsible for passing on the message the Lord had given him rather than his own opinions].’

2:5 And whether they listen or fail to listen [Ezekiel’s responsibility was to faithfully deliver God’s message]—for they are a rebellious house [the house of Judah]—they will know that a prophet has been among them [as events unfolded the people would come to realize that God had sought to reach and communicate with them through Ezekiel].

2:6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house.

2:7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.

2:8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.”

2:9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll,

2:10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.