Ezek. 2 Ezekiel’s commission, Ezek. 2:1–5; his instructions, Ezek. 2:6–8. The roll of heavy judgments spread before him, Ezek. 2:9–10.

And he that sat upon the throne, Jesus Christ, whose messenger Ezekiel must be to the Jewish captives, now gone into captivity to Babylon. Son of man; a phrase very familiar with Ezekiel in this prophecy, and he useth it for distinction, being now among angels, perhaps to keep him humble, who had…

And; so soon as the encouraging command went forth, immediately. The spirit; the vital spirit or soul of the prophet, say some; but these suppose the vision had struck Ezekiel dead, which neither can be supposed, other prophetic visions did not prove deadly, nor did this; others will have it the…

And he: see Ezek. 2:2. Said unto me; either vocally, or by impression upon his mind. Son of man: the prophet had seen, Ezek. 1:26 of the former chapter, a very glorious person on a throne above the firmament, and now the prophet is called son of man, perhaps, as the Jews conjecture, to encourage…

Impudent children; shameless, who cannot blush, else they could never have transgressed so highly, constantly, and obstinately. Sodom in her day did not hide her sin, nor blush; so did the Jews in Isaiah’s times, so they did to the days of their captivity, and under the captivity.

Though the omniscient God knows which they will do, yet he lets not the prophet know, but enjoins him his duty, affords these sinners the mercy of warnings and calls, and expects that they act like men, hear and obey.

Thou, son of man; thou a prophet, sent by him whose throne is highest, whom thou sawest as the appearance of a man in glory, and provided with power to protect thee.

Thou shalt speak my words unto them; declaring what I shall show thee, and in words which I will put into thy mouth. Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: see Ezek. 2:5. For they are most rebellious; Heb.

Hear what I say unto thee; obey when thou hearest. Harden not thyself in a seeming modest declining the office of a prophet, wed not thine own resolution herein. Rebellious house; house of rebellion, as Ezek. 2:7.

The prophet, newly come out of that astonishing trance wherein he lay, and gotten upon his feet, hearing what was spoken, and possibly looking if he might see who spake, he discovers a hand; either of one of those angels which ministered before the Lord, or the hand of God, or of Christ.

He: Ezek. 2:9 it was the hand, here it is the person, he who held out his hand. Spread it before me; unrolled it within that distance the prophet might read what was written therein.