Is the Word of God Sweet to You?

O. T. #1852  "Is the Word of God Sweet to You? "

January 4, 2021

Ezekiel 3

LET IT GLOW

Do we sometimes feel like we are not having a good effect on others? Like, what is the use? We are not alone, dear one. Ezekiel had a very difficult task in his kingdom work and assignment. God was preparing him ahead of time.

In the first chapter, we read of the vision of God that Ezekiel had-angels surrounding a chariot of fire which Jesus sat upon like a throne. Ezekiel fell face down, and reasonably so, for the glory of the LORD was before him. All of this definitely got this priest's attention, as it would anyone.

Then, Ezekiel, called son of man, was told to stand and the Spirit spoke to him. He was being sent to a rebellious nation of Israel, to a stubborn and hard-hearted people. His was a commission as that of Isaiah and Jeremiah, a difficult task to perform for his Lord. Whether those rebels listened or not to Ezekiel, at least they knew they had a prophet among them. He was told to not be afraid of them, but to deliver the messages the Sovereign LORD said to him.

What unusual command was Ezekiel told in 2:8 and 3:31 before he went to carry out his commission?

• Open his mouth and eat what the LORD gave him.
• A roll of a book was in a hand reaching out to Ezekiel, which the LORD unrolled. Both sides of it were covered with funeral songs, words of sorrow, and pronouncements of doom. (NLT, verse 9)

Here are some explanations which help us better understand what was going on in Ezekiel's vision.

In his vision Ezekiel saw a leather scroll opened so both sides could be seen. The message no doubt dealt with Israel's past history of disobedience, idolatry, bloodshed, chastisement, and woe over her impending judgment. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Scrolls were normally written on one side only, but this judgment message was so full it required all the available space to chronicle the suffering and sorrow that sin had brought, as recorded in chapters 2-32. (The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

So regardless of his people's responses, Ezekiel was to give Israel God's messages. It is for the exiles in Babylon.  Now Ezekiel was a prophet, which means to announce, to proclaim, to bubble up, to pour forth. the Holy Spirit can bubble up in a person who delivers a divine message. The Hebrew prophets spoke for God. That is why they introduced their messages with "thus says the Lord of Hosts."

As a Christian, we have a message to proclaim to a dying world-Jesus Christ is come to be our Savior, Redeemer, and lives in our hearts. Folks, He wants to save our family and friends from the penalty of sin-death. And to give them eternal life in heaven, as well as strength to live here before then. The Holy Spirit will guide us when and where we are to share this Good News. All we do is submit, obey, and enjoy seeing a sinner saved by grace.

LET IT GROW

Did Ezekiel obey what the Spirit told him to do, eat the scroll? We read the answer in chapter 3. 

What other information is mentioned about it?

• First, he ate the scroll. (verse 3) God's messenger must first internalize God's truth for himself, then preach it, MacArthur explains.
• Next, it was sweet like honey. Even though it was a message of judgment, the scroll was sweet because it was God's Word (Ps. 19:10; Ps. 119:103) and because it vindicated God in holiness, righteousness, glory, and faithfulness.
• Cause thy belly to eat and bill thy bowels with this roll, was his instructions.(verse 3) Ezekiel was to digest the Word of God, reading it and making it a part of himself.

Then Ezekiel was told twice to go to the house of Israel and speak God's Words unto them. (3:1,4) He was sent to a people who spoke his language. Had he been sent to a foreign people that did not understand, then they would believe and repent, but it was not so for the surviving Israelites. They did not want to hear what Ezekiel had to say for they did not want to hear what God had to say to them. They were hardheaded and hardhearted people. Therefore, God was going to make Ezekiel just as tough so he could speak to them without being discouraged. (verse 7-9)

Folks, when we get discouraged, eat the sweet Word of God. Find encouragement there. It is filled with His grace, joy, and love that can touch our life. We must be prepared for the worse when only the bad comes. the race is not over. Our lives still count. Although we are not yet perfect, the Master's touch can be just what we need, just what another's soul needs.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2) 

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. (1 John 1:17)

More to be desired are they (statutes of the LORD)than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (Psalm 19:10)

Praise be to You, O Lord; teach me your decrees. (Psalm 119:12)

LET IT GO

Help us let go of our things we hold onto that are not what You desire for us.

Keep us walking by faith and not by sight, Jesus.

Make Your Words a part of our life today.

Use us to speak Your  sweet Words of strength and comfort to others.

As You are faithful, sweet Jesus, keep us faithful to You.