Ezekiel 3:3

Context of Ezekiel 3:3

Ezekiel 3:3 is a pivotal moment in the prophetic call of Ezekiel. Following a majestic vision of God's glory in Ezekiel chapter 1, the prophet is commissioned by God to speak to the rebellious house of Israel. In Ezekiel 2, the Lord commands him not to be rebellious like the people he is sent to, and then presents him with a scroll. The content of this scroll, as revealed in Ezekiel 2:10, was full of "lamentations, and mourning, and woe." This verse describes the act of Ezekiel internalizing this divine message.

Key Themes and Messages

• Assimilation of God's Word: The command to "cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll" vividly symbolizes the complete internalization of God's message. It's not just intellectual understanding, but a deep absorption into the very being of the prophet. For Ezekiel to deliver God's word, it first had to become a part of him.
• The Sweetness of Divine Revelation: Despite the scroll containing messages of judgment and sorrow, Ezekiel found it "in my mouth as honey for sweetness." This speaks to the inherent goodness and privilege of receiving and delivering God's truth, regardless of its specific content. It is sweet because it originates from God, is true, and is a sacred trust.
• Prophetic Commission and Empowerment: This act signifies God's equipping of Ezekiel for his challenging mission. By eating the scroll, Ezekiel is divinely prepared to speak forth the words of the Lord, demonstrating that God provides what is needed for the tasks He assigns.

Linguistic Insights

• "Son of man": This frequently used title for Ezekiel (Hebrew: ben adam) throughout the book emphasizes his humanity and mortality in contrast to the divine majesty of God. It highlights that God chooses a human instrument for His divine purposes.
• "Roll" (or scroll): The Hebrew word is megillah, referring to a written document rolled up. This signifies that God's message is precise, recorded, and authoritative, not a spontaneous human utterance.
• "Honey for sweetness": The metaphor of honey is common in biblical literature to describe the pleasantness and delight found in God's law and words. It suggests that even difficult truths, when received from God, carry an underlying sweetness because they are ultimately good, true, and part of God's perfect plan.

Related Scriptures

The "honey for sweetness" metaphor is a recurring biblical theme, emphasizing the inherent value and delight found in God's words, even when they convey difficult truths, as seen in Psalm 19:10 ("More to be desired are they than gold... sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.") and Psalm 119:103 ("How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!").

This imagery finds a fascinating parallel in the New Testament with John's vision of eating a scroll in Revelation 10:9-10. John's experience is similar in that the scroll is sweet in his mouth, but then turns bitter in his stomach, signifying that while prophecy is a delight, its fulfillment can bring suffering and judgment.

Practical Application

Ezekiel's experience in this verse offers profound lessons for believers today:

1. Internalize God's Word: We are called not just to read or hear the Bible, but to truly "eat" it – to meditate on it, allow it to penetrate our hearts and minds, and let it shape our entire being. This deep assimilation is crucial for spiritual growth and maturity.
2. Embrace All of God's Truth: Even when God's word confronts us with uncomfortable truths about sin, judgment, or suffering, it remains inherently good and sweet because it is from Him. We should receive all of His counsel with gratitude and humility.
3. Preparation for Service: Just as Ezekiel was prepared for his prophetic task by internalizing the scroll, God equips us for our calling through His word. The more we consume and live by Scripture, the better prepared we are to serve Him and share His message with the world.