One of the most striking and mysterious commands in the Bible comes from the prophet Ezekiel, who lived during a time of great turmoil for Israel. In Ezekiel 3, God speaks directly to Ezekiel and says:
“Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you… then go and speak to the house of Israel.”
This unusual instruction might seem strange at first glance. Why would God ask a prophet to eat a scroll? The answer lies in the profound symbolism behind this act.
The Symbolism of Eating the Scroll
Eating, in biblical symbolism, often represents internalizing or fully embracing something. When Ezekiel ate the scroll, he was not merely consuming a physical object, but fully taking in God’s Word—making it a part of himself. This was a preparation for his prophetic mission. The scroll contained God’s message for Israel, a message Ezekiel was now called to carry in his very being.
Remarkably, the scroll tasted “sweet as honey” in his mouth (Ezekiel 3:3). This sweetness symbolizes the preciousness and delight of God’s Word—how it nourishes and refreshes the soul, much like honey delights the taste buds. For those who love God’s truth, His Word is a source of joy and strength.
The Difficult Message Ezekiel Had to Deliver
Yet the sweetness in Ezekiel’s mouth contrasted with the challenging content of his message. When he spoke the words from the scroll, they “pierced like fire” (Ezekiel 3:14). This fiery imagery shows that God’s Word is also a message of warning and judgment. It exposes sin, calls for repentance, and confronts stubborn hearts.
In Ezekiel’s time, the people of Israel were rebellious and resistant to God’s calls. They had turned away from God’s ways, and the prophet’s words were meant to wake them up before disaster came. This highlights an important spiritual truth: God’s Word is not always easy or comfortable—it can be both sweet to receive and painful to hear.
John’s Vision: Eating the Scroll in Revelation
The theme of “eating a scroll” appears again in the New Testament, in the book of Revelation 10. The Apostle John, while receiving his apocalyptic visions, is instructed by a mighty angel to take a small scroll from his hand and eat it:
“Take the little scroll from the angel’s hand and eat it. It will be sweet as honey in your mouth, but when you eat it, it will turn your stomach sour.” (Revelation 10:9, NIV)
John’s experience echoes Ezekiel’s, emphasizing the dual nature of God’s Word. It is sweet, promising hope and salvation, but it also contains difficult truths that can unsettle and challenge us deeply. This bitterness reflects the heavy burden of prophecy and the sobering realities John was about to reveal about the end times.
The Sweetness and Bitterness of God’s Truth
Why is God’s Word described as both sweet and bitter? Because it embodies divine truth in its fullness:
- Sweetness: God’s promises, love, and mercy nourish the soul. They bring peace, joy, and assurance to believers who trust in Him.
- Bitterness: God’s justice, judgment, and calls for repentance challenge complacency and reveal the seriousness of sin and rebellion.
This contrast reminds us that following God is not always comfortable, but it is always life-giving. The sweetness invites us to trust and delight in God’s ways; the bitterness warns us to take sin seriously and to live holy lives.
Living Out the Word We Have Received
Like Ezekiel and John, Christians today are called to not only receive God’s Word but to live it out boldly. This means embracing both the comforting and confronting aspects of Scripture.
We are invited to:
- Let God’s Word nourish our faith and hope.
- Allow it to challenge and transform our hearts.
- Speak truth with love, even when it is difficult.
God’s Word: A Sword and a Light
The Bible describes God’s Word as a powerful tool:
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
God’s Word pierces, convicts, heals, and guides. Like the scroll Ezekiel ate and the one John tasted, it calls us into a dynamic relationship with God—one that involves both sweetness and struggle.
Embracing the Fullness of God’s Word
Are we willing to receive the whole counsel of God’s Word, not just the parts that feel sweet and comforting? True faith involves embracing God’s truth in its entirety, trusting that even the bitter moments are for our good and His glory.
Discussion Prompt: How do you handle the difficult or challenging parts of the Bible? What helps you stay faithful when God’s Word feels “bitter” but necessary? Share your reflections and encouragements below.
Why This Matters Today
Just like Ezekiel, we are called to not only read and cherish God’s Word but to let it transform us from the inside out. Sometimes, that means facing hard truths about ourselves or our world.
- God’s Word comforts the humble—those who seek Him with an open heart will find nourishment and hope.
- God’s Word challenges the proud—it exposes areas of rebellion and calls for repentance and change.
In our own lives, the Bible can be sweet when it reassures us of God’s love and promises, but it can also feel like fire when it convicts us of sin or calls us to difficult obedience.
The Call to Internalize God’s Word
When we “eat” God’s Word, we do more than just read or listen—we let it become part of our identity, shaping our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. This internalization equips us to be messengers of God’s truth in our own spheres of influence, just as Ezekiel was.
God calls us to carry His Word faithfully, even when it’s hard to deliver or hear. This is the heart of true discipleship—being shaped by God’s truth and living it out courageously.
