In the Book of Ezekiel, the prophet is commanded by God to eat a scroll containing words of lamentations, mourning, and woe. This act of consuming the scroll symbolizes internalizing God’s message, making it a part of the prophet’s very being. This symbolic act is described in Ezekiel Chapter 3, verses 1-3.
This event is significant for several reasons. It illustrates the intimate connection between divine revelation and prophetic proclamation. The prophet does not simply recite God’s words; he embodies them. The bittersweet taste of the scrollsweet in the mouth but bitter in the bellyrepresents the mixed nature of prophetic ministry: the privilege of carrying God’s word alongside the burden of delivering challenging pronouncements. This act also emphasizes the prophet’s full acceptance of his commission, regardless of its difficulty. The consumption of the scroll signifies an internalization and acceptance of the divine message.