EZEKIEL 3:3
A man once said, “My doctor has warned me to stop eating sugar for the sake of my health and that is a serious problem.” For him, the truth was bitter.
The Lord commanded Ezekiel to swallow a scroll containing words of lament and woe (Ezekiel 2:10; 3:1–2). He was to fill his stomach with it and share the words with the people of Israel, whom God considered disobedient and stubborn. One would expect a scroll filled with correction to taste like a bitter pill. Yet Ezekiel described it as being as sweet as honey in his mouth (Ezekiel 3:3).
Ezekiel had gained a taste for God’s correction. Rather than viewing His rebuke as something to avoid, he saw it as what is healthy for the soul – sweet.
Some truths are bitter pills to swallow while others taste sweet. If we remember how much God loves us, His truth will taste more like honey. His words are given to us for our good, providing wisdom and strength.
Ezekiel was not the only prophet instructed by God to eat the scroll of judgement. The apostle John was asked to do same on the Island of Patmos (Revelation 10:9-10). Because it was God’s word it was sweet in his mouth. This is the consistent testimony of people who love God: His Word (truth) is sweet to them because they know it is good for them. (Psalm 19:10)
