Ezekiel Commanded to Eat the Scroll

"But you, son of man, hear what I say to you; be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth, and eat what I give you.' And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and, lo, a written scroll was in it; and he spread it before me; and it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe. And he said to me, 'Son of man, eat what is offered to you; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.' So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. And he said to me, 'Son of man, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.' Then I ate it and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey." (Ezekiel 2:8 - 3:3, RSV)

As part of his inaugural calling and commissioning, Ezekiel was commanded to eat a scroll brought to him by the hand of the Almighty in the vision he saw so intensely.

What would it be like, literally eating the papyrus of a scroll-different from others, for usually scrolls would only be inscribed on one side, but this one had writings-of lamentation, mourning and woe--written on both sides. And Ezekiel was commanded to eat it and afterward to go and speak to the house of Israel. What seemed at first to be a bitter, dry dish for him turned instead into being "sweet as honey" to his taste! God does not give us a job to do that He does not give us the strength to do it!

Bitterness can be turned into sweetness! Tough jobs can be accomplished through the strengh God provides. Let us not forget that Ezekiel's very name was a reminder, meaing "God strengthens."

What are we to make of this command to eat the scroll and of Ezekiel's eating it, whether literally or symbolically? Think about how often a book is used in an inaugural ceremony. Our president is sworn into office with his hand on a Bible. The custom once was (it may now be passing, in our modern age of 'politically correct') of a witness in court placing his hand on the Bible and taking the oath to 'tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.' Since Ezekiel had the commission to take God's word to Israel, it is symbolic that he would be reminded of his mission with the eating of the scroll. Nothing is more powerful that Yahweh's Word, spoken or written. Psalm 19:10 reminds us: "More are they to be desired than gold, even must fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb." So even though God's word delivered through Ezekiel might sometimes be harsh and judgmental, because it was, indeed, Yahweh's Word, it would be "sweet as honey." And the love of God's Word should still be among us like sweet honey to our ears and to our understanding. In the Book of Common Prayer that many Christians quote is the admonition to "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" the Word of God. How do you and I feel about the Word of God? Is it "sweeter than honey," and a "lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path"? Do you like to read it for its instruciton, beauty and admonition? Do you like to teach it for its truths and inspiration? Do you like to apply it for its direction and enlightenment? His Word is for our soul's health and strength. Like Ezekiel, may we symbolically "eat the scroll" - "inwardly digest" the Word of the Lord. Selah!

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Friday, October 1, 2010