Ezekiel 2:6
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.
God's messenger is commanded not to fear hostile people, their threatening words, or their intimidating looks, and not to be dismayed even while living and working in the midst of them. The briers, thorns, and scorpions picture the painful and dangerous opposition and hardship that surround him there. The rebellious house is God's own rebellious people, who resist correction and refuse to listen because they think their own ways are right. He must still deliver God's message whether they listen or refuse, and their rebellion and opposition neither excuse him from speaking nor silence him. That faithful delivery includes reproofs, warnings, and rebuke, given fully without withholding or softening for favor or frowns, as God directs and trusting God with the outcome.
Fearless Among Hostile Hearers
God's messenger is commanded not to fear hostile people, nor to fear their threatening words, nor to be dismayed by their intimidating and disapproving looks, even while living among them. The prohibition covers both the people themselves and what they say and how they look, forbidding alike fear and being dismayed. It holds in the very place of danger, where the messenger dwells and works in the midst of those who oppose him.
Briers and thorns and scorpions picture the painful, dangerous opposition and hardship surrounding him on every side. They are not mere plants and creatures but the wounding resistance, threats, and perils of laboring among a hostile people. To dwell among scorpions is to live and carry out the mission where injury and danger are ever near.
The rebellious house is God's own rebellious people, such as Israel. They are those who resist correction and refuse to listen, because they think their own ways are right.
Speak Whether They Listen
The command lays the duty to speak upon the messenger whether hearers listen or refuse, and no rebellion, resistance, or opposition excuses silence or removes the obligation to deliver what God has given. Threatening words, hostile looks, and refusal to be corrected do not silence the one sent, for the message must be given whether people hear or forbear.
That faithful speaking is specifically a work of reproof, warning, and rebuke, given even when those addressed will not hear. It includes a decided testimony of vital importance to those in danger in responsible offices of trust, who must be warned and not left unwarned.
Nothing of the entrusted testimony is to be withheld or softened to gain favor or avoid frowns, whether hearers are pleased or displeased. The messenger is to speak the words given without being turned aside by pleasure, displeasure, or hostile reaction, and then leave the burden of response and its consequences with the hearers and with God.
The work is to be done as God directs and not by the messenger's own wisdom, trusting God with the outcome. God is responsible for the results and for the consequences, He sustains the one He sends, and His Spirit will attend the testimony whether people accept or reject it.
The duty may be painful and exhausting and may bring apprehension and personal distress, yet the messenger is to remain undismayed. He is not to fear, not to be discouraged or deterred by words and looks, and not to let resistance turn him from faithful continuance in difficult places. There he is to bear a firm testimony and guard the truth while carrying out the mission entrusted to him.
The same charge was illustrated by the courage of John Knox in preaching the truth despite persecution. It requires bearing a decided testimony of reproof and warning before assemblies in different states and before councils of ministers and responsible men, even when sentiments are advanced and measures are urged for adoption in no gentle spirit. Warnings revealed years before are to be brought to mind and delivered again, without failing and without discouragement.