So I opened my mouth, and He fed me the scroll. So I opened my mouthThis phrase signifies obedience and readiness to receive God's message. In biblical context, opening one's mouth often symbolizes a willingness to speak or receive divine revelation. Ezekiel's action here parallels the prophetic calling of other prophets, such as Isaiah, who also responded to God's call with readiness (Isaiah 6:8). This act of opening the mouth is a physical manifestation of spiritual receptivity, indicating Ezekiel's submission to God's will. and He fed me the scroll Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites. 2. God The divine being who commissions Ezekiel and provides him with the scroll to consume. 3. The Scroll Represents God's message, filled with words of lamentation, mourning, and woe, which Ezekiel is commanded to eat as a symbol of internalizing God's word. 4. Babylonian Exile The historical context in which Ezekiel prophesied, where the Israelites were in captivity in Babylon. 5. Israelites The audience of Ezekiel's prophecies, who were in need of repentance and return to God. Teaching Points Internalizing God's WordJust as Ezekiel ate the scroll, believers are called to internalize Scripture, allowing it to transform their hearts and minds. Obedience to God's Call Ezekiel's willingness to open his mouth and eat the scroll demonstrates obedience, a key aspect of a faithful life. The Bittersweet Nature of God's Message The scroll contained lamentations and woes, reminding us that God's truth can be both comforting and challenging. Spiritual Nourishment God's word is essential for spiritual growth and sustenance, much like food is for the body. Preparedness for Ministry By consuming the scroll, Ezekiel was prepared to deliver God's message, illustrating the importance of being equipped with Scripture for ministry. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Ezekiel's act of eating the scroll illustrate the importance of internalizing God's word in our daily lives?2. In what ways can we ensure that we are obedient to God's call, even when it involves difficult tasks or messages? 3. How can the bittersweet nature of God's message, as seen in Ezekiel's scroll, be reflected in our own experiences with Scripture? 4. What practical steps can we take to make Scripture a source of spiritual nourishment in our lives? 5. How does Ezekiel's preparation for ministry through consuming the scroll inspire us to be better equipped for our own spiritual callings? Connections to Other Scriptures Revelation 10:9-10John is also instructed to eat a scroll, symbolizing the internalization of God's message, similar to Ezekiel's experience. Jeremiah 15:16 Jeremiah speaks of finding God's words and consuming them, highlighting the joy and sustenance found in God's word. Psalm 119:103 The psalmist describes God's words as sweet to the taste, emphasizing the desirability and nourishment of Scripture. Matthew 4:4 Jesus quotes Deuteronomy, emphasizing that man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of God, underscoring the necessity of God's word for spiritual life.
People EzekielPlaces Chebar, Tel-abibTopics Caused, Causeth, Eat, Fed, Mouth, Open, Opened, Opening, Roll, ScrollDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 3:1-3 4438 eating Library Cæsarius of Arles. He was born in the district of Chalons-sur-Saone, A. D. 470. He seems to have been early awakened, by a pious education, to vital Christianity. When he was between seven and eight years old, it would often happen that he would give a portion of his clothes to the poor whom he met, and would say, when he came home, that he had been, constrained to do so. When yet a youth, he entered the celebrated convent on the island of Lerins, (Lerina,) in Provence, from which a spirit of deep and practical piety … Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places Boniface, Apostle of the Germans. Epistle xxxiv. To Venantius, Ex-Monk, Patrician of Syracuse . The Greatness of the Soul, The Servant's Inflexible Resolve The Iranian Conquest The Prophet Jonah. Ezekiel Links Ezekiel 3:2 NIVEzekiel 3:2 NLT Ezekiel 3:2 ESV Ezekiel 3:2 NASB Ezekiel 3:2 KJV Ezekiel 3:2 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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