Definition: And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns [be] with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they [be] a rebellious house.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 2:6. It’s a really important and complex passage with a lot of layers, but I'll try to make it understandable. Here’s the gist: This verse is speaking about a group of people who are acting in a very difficult and dangerous way – they’re rebelling against God and refusing to follow his instructions. Let’s unpack it: “Ezekiel 2:6” : This refers to a specific event in Ezekiel's vision, which is a prophetic message from God. It describes a situation where Ezekiel is confronted with a group of people who are challenging God’s authority and refusing to obey his commands. “And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them…” : This is the core message – it’s saying that God is not afraid of these people. It's a reassurance from God himself. He sees them as part of a larger group who are defying him. “…neither be afraid of their words…” : They're not just being defiant; they're speaking out against God with strong and challenging words. This is a key point – it’s their defiance that worries God. “Though briers and thorns [be] with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid…” : This uses vivid imagery. “Briers” represent obstacles or challenges, and “scorpions” symbolize danger and hostility. It's saying that they are in a dangerous situation – surrounded by difficulties. The phrase "be not afraid" is repeated because it’s a powerful command from God. “Nor be dismayed at their looks…” : They aren’t just being defiant; they're also displaying a negative and potentially frightening attitude. “…though they [be] a rebellious house.” : This is the most important part. "Rebellious house" refers to God's people – those who are disobeying him. It highlights that these people aren’t just challenging God, but actively rejecting his will and guidance. It suggests a history of disobedience. Overall Meaning & Interpretation: This verse paints a picture of a group facing overwhelming difficulties and challenges. God is sending a warning to them – he recognizes their defiance and doesn't fear them. However, he also urges them to remain calm and not be overwhelmed by their opponents’ behavior. It’s a call for steadfastness and obedience, reminding us that God will ultimately triumph over those who resist him. It speaks to the idea of: God’s Sovereignty: He is in control, even when people are challenging him. The Importance of Obedience: Disobeying God leads to consequences – this verse emphasizes the need for obedience as a way to avoid negative outcomes. Challenges and Perseverance: It encourages us to remain strong and steadfast in the face of adversity, knowing that God is with us and will ultimately prevail. In short, this passage is a reminder that even when we’re facing difficult obstacles, we should not be afraid because God is in control and will ultimately win. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points further? Give you some examples of how this verse might be applied to real-life situations?