John Gill Commentary Ezekiel 2:8

"But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that which I give thee." — Ezekiel 2:8 (ASV)

But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Which was necessary because he was to speak not his own words, but the Lord's, and therefore ought to hear before he spoke; and indeed those that speak in a public way, for the instruction of others, ought to hear and learn of Christ first.

Be not you rebellious, like that rebellious house, who would not hear what was said to them; but they were not to be imitated, no, not in a lesser degree: the prophet was to avoid everything that looked like rebellion; as inattention to what was said to him, hesitation about it, or backwardness to publish it.

Open your mouth; be ready to receive what should be given, as a symbol of the prophecy he was to deliver.

The Targum is, "incline your soul, and receive what I give you." Jarchi's note is, "incline your ear and hear and let it be sweet to you, as if you did eat food for hunger;" and Kimchi observes, "the intention of the figurative expression is to learn the words of the prophecy, and to remember them."

And eat that I give you; which may be safely done; for Christ gives his ministers and people nothing but what is wholesome; his doctrines are wholesome words and may be eaten without fear, (1 Timothy 6:3) .