Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 2:6

6 And thou Son of man be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thornes 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.

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.

Cast away discouraging fear, be not dismayed at their Persons; Rulers, Priests, and pretended Prophets will oppose, but yet in the delivery of thy message fear none of them.

Heb. Will bear Counsels, or words, misr[illegible: 1 letter]ports, accusations, threats, flouts, or whatever else an envious and malicious heart can suggest to the Tongue.

Here two words in the Heb. are used the first used onely in this place, though frequently used in the Chalde[illegible: 1 letter] Paraphrase, where it expresseth con[illegible: 1 letter]umacy, as Exod. 7.14. of Pharaoh refusing to let Israel go, and Ier. 5.3. Obstinate refusing to learn. But our Translators guided by the proper signification of the other word have rendred it Briars, which usually run up among Thorns and are a very fit Emblem of the frowardness, and keenness of sinners against God and his Prophet, and of the sure destruction which will befall these Briars and Thornes when God shall send his Judgments like Fire amongst them.

Against thee.

Some say this is an Herb which because it is every way armed with sharp, pricking stings hath this name given it; but if we retain the more common interpretation, it Speaks the rage, and heat: The poysonous malice, and the sly lurking craft, and irreconcileableness of these Apostate Jews, and of all other, contemners of God and Religion. These men like Scorpions undiscerned wound, torment and kill.

The admonition against sinful fear is repeated, least Ezekiel should forget, or we in like case should fail of our duty, it is four times given in charge.

Marginal references: Jer. 1.8, 17. Luk. 12.4.; Or, rebels.; Jer. 6.28. Mich. 7.4.; Chap. 3.9. 1 Pet. 3.14.