The concept of consuming a scroll is a vivid biblical image that appears in both the Old and New Testaments, symbolizing the internalization of God's word and the prophetic message. This act is depicted in the experiences of the prophets Ezekiel and John, serving as a powerful metaphor for the reception and proclamation of divine revelation.

Ezekiel's Experience

In the Old Testament, the prophet Ezekiel is commanded to eat a scroll as part of his commissioning by God. In Ezekiel 2:8-3:3, the Lord instructs Ezekiel:

"But you, son of man, listen to what I tell you: Do not rebel like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I give you." Then I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me, and in it was a scroll, which He unrolled before me. And on both sides were written words of lamentation, mourning, and woe. And He said to me, "Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel." So I opened my mouth, and He fed me the scroll. "Son of man," He said to me, "eat this scroll I am giving you, and fill your stomach with it." So I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.

This passage highlights the dual nature of the prophetic message: though it contains words of judgment and lamentation, it is sweet to the taste of the prophet, symbolizing the delight and satisfaction found in God's word. Ezekiel's consumption of the scroll signifies his acceptance and internalization of the divine message, preparing him to deliver God's words to the rebellious house of Israel.

John's Vision in Revelation

A similar event occurs in the New Testament in the book of Revelation. The Apostle John, in his apocalyptic vision, is instructed to eat a little scroll. Revelation 10:8-10 records:

"Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, 'Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.' So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. 'Take it and eat it,' he said. 'It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.' So I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach turned bitter."

In John's experience, the sweetness of the scroll in his mouth contrasts with the bitterness in his stomach, reflecting the complexity of the prophetic message. The sweetness represents the joy and truth of God's revelation, while the bitterness signifies the difficult and often harsh realities of the prophecy's content, particularly concerning judgment and tribulation.

Theological Significance

The act of consuming the scroll in both Ezekiel and Revelation underscores the intimate and personal nature of receiving God's word. It is not merely an intellectual exercise but a profound spiritual experience that transforms the prophet. The imagery of eating the scroll conveys the necessity for God's messengers to fully absorb and be nourished by His word before they can faithfully proclaim it to others.

This metaphor also emphasizes the responsibility of the prophet to deliver the message as received, regardless of its reception or the personal cost involved. The sweetness and bitterness of the scroll reflect the dual aspects of God's word—comfort and challenge, promise and warning—requiring the prophet to embrace the entirety of God's revelation.

In summary, the consumption of the scroll is a powerful biblical motif that illustrates the deep engagement with and commitment to God's word required of His prophets. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of divine revelation and the weighty responsibility of those called to communicate it.