Meaning of Ezekiel 3:3

The prophet Ezekiel is commanded to consume a scroll, a symbolic act representing the internalization and assimilation of God's message. This "eating" is not literal but a profound spiritual experience where the prophet's very being is infused with the divine word, making it not only understandable but also deeply palatable and even pleasurable. The sweetness of the scroll signifies the inherent goodness and desirability of God's truth, even when the message itself might be difficult or foreboding, as Ezekiel's prophetic commission will involve delivering unwelcome news to a rebellious people. This act prepares Ezekiel for his arduous task, ensuring that the message he is to deliver is not merely spoken but lived and embodied by him.

Context and Background

This directive occurs early in Ezekiel's prophetic ministry, shortly after his initial vision of God's glory (Ezekiel 1). He has been commissioned as a prophet to the exiled community in Babylon, a people who are spiritually and physically distant from their homeland and the Temple. The scroll, described as containing "laments and mourning and woe" (Ezekiel 2:10), represents the message God has given Ezekiel to deliver to Israel. The act of eating it is a necessary step in his consecration and preparation for this difficult prophetic vocation.

Key Themes and Messages

• Internalization of God's Word: The primary theme is the absolute necessity of the prophet internalizing God's message before proclaiming it. It is not enough to hear or read; one must digest and make it a part of oneself.
• The Nature of Prophetic Calling: The experience highlights the intimate and transformative nature of a prophet's calling. The divine word becomes an integral part of the prophet's identity.
• The Sweetness of Truth: Despite the potentially bitter content of the message (judgment and exile), the divine word itself is presented as inherently good and desirable, a source of spiritual nourishment and delight.
• Preparation for Ministry: This symbolic act serves as a crucial step in equipping Ezekiel for his challenging mission, ensuring he speaks with divine authority and conviction.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers today, this passage underscores the importance of actively engaging with and internalizing Scripture. It calls for a prayerful and obedient approach to God's word, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to a deep spiritual digestion that shapes our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. When we truly "eat" God's word, allowing it to permeate our being, it becomes a source of strength, wisdom, and even joy, enabling us to live out our faith and, when called, to share God's truth with others, even in difficult circumstances.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This event in Ezekiel's life echoes earlier instances of prophets and individuals receiving and internalizing divine revelation. It is particularly reminiscent of Jeremiah's experience where God states, "Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a great joy and the happiness of my heart" (Jeremiah 15:16). This theme of consuming and embodying God's word continues throughout Scripture, culminating in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who perfectly embodies God's message.

Analogies

The act of eating the scroll can be understood through several analogies:

• Nourishment: Just as food nourishes the body, God's word nourishes the soul.
• Assimilation: Like food being broken down and absorbed by the body, God's word is to be processed and integrated into our spiritual life.
• Embodiment: The prophet is to become a living embodiment of the message he is to deliver.

Relation to Other Verses

• Jeremiah 15:16: "Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a great joy and the happiness of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts." This verse highlights the personal joy and fulfillment found in God's word.
• Psalm 119:103: "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" This psalm expresses the profound delight and value of God's law.
• John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." This verse points to Jesus as the ultimate embodiment of God's word.
• Deuteronomy 8:3: "and he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know nor did your fathers know, to make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD." This emphasizes the spiritual sustenance found in God's word.