Topical Bible: Vision of Ezekiel of the Roll

Bible > Topical > Vision of Ezekiel of the Roll

◄ Vision of Ezekiel of the Roll ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Vision of Ezekiel of the Roll is a significant prophetic experience recorded in the Book of Ezekiel, specifically in Ezekiel 2:8–3:3. This vision is a profound moment in the life of the prophet Ezekiel, marking his commissioning by God to deliver His messages to the rebellious house of Israel. The vision is rich in symbolism and theological meaning, reflecting themes of divine authority, judgment, and the transformative power of God's word.

Context and Background

Ezekiel, a priest and prophet, was among the Jewish exiles in Babylon following the first deportation in 597 BC. His prophetic ministry began around 593 BC, during a time of great turmoil and uncertainty for the people of Judah. The vision of the roll occurs early in Ezekiel's ministry, following his inaugural vision of the glory of the LORD by the Kebar River (Ezekiel 1).

The Vision Described

In Ezekiel 2:8–3:3, the prophet is addressed directly by God, who commands him to open his mouth and eat what He gives him. Ezekiel sees a hand stretched out to him, holding a scroll. The Berean Standard Bible describes this moment: "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" (Ezekiel 2:9-10).

The scroll, or roll, is filled with messages of judgment against Israel, reflecting the nation's persistent rebellion and idolatry. The act of eating the scroll symbolizes Ezekiel's internalization of God's word, preparing him to speak with divine authority. As Ezekiel consumes the scroll, he finds it sweet as honey in his mouth, as recorded in Ezekiel 3:3: "So I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth" .

Theological Significance

The vision of the roll underscores several key theological themes:

1. Divine Commissioning: The act of eating the scroll signifies Ezekiel's acceptance of his prophetic mission. By internalizing God's word, Ezekiel is empowered to speak on behalf of the LORD, conveying messages of both judgment and hope.

2. Authority of God's Word: The scroll's contents, filled with lamentation, mourning, and woe, highlight the seriousness of Israel's sin and the certainty of divine judgment. Yet, the sweetness of the scroll in Ezekiel's mouth suggests the ultimate goodness and righteousness of God's word, even when it brings difficult truths.

3. Prophetic Obedience: Ezekiel's willingness to eat the scroll demonstrates his obedience and submission to God's will. This act of obedience is essential for a prophet tasked with delivering challenging messages to a resistant audience.

4. Transformation through God's Word: The vision illustrates the transformative power of God's word. As Ezekiel consumes the scroll, he is spiritually nourished and equipped for his prophetic role. This transformation is a testament to the life-giving and sustaining nature of divine revelation.

Implications for Israel

The vision of the roll serves as a warning to the people of Israel, calling them to repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness. It also foreshadows the coming judgment that will befall Jerusalem and the temple, events that Ezekiel will later prophesy in greater detail. Despite the harshness of the message, the vision ultimately points to the hope of restoration and renewal for a repentant remnant.

In summary, the Vision of Ezekiel of the Roll is a pivotal moment in the prophetic narrative, emphasizing the authority and necessity of God's word in the life of the prophet and the people of Israel. Through this vision, Ezekiel is equipped to fulfill his divine mandate, serving as a conduit for God's messages of judgment and redemption.

Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 2:9
And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent to me; and, see, a roll of a book was therein;
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Ezekiel's vision (Preached Before the Queen at Windsor, June 16 ...
... But where the Chaldaean vision ended, Ezekiel's only began ... the cherubim, like the
tramp of an army, like the noise of great waters, like the roll of thunder ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon ix ezekiels vision preached.htm

The First vision "In Heaven": Chapters 4-5
... "Wherefore shut thou up the vision: for it shall be for many days"
(viii.26). ... The roll given to Ezekiel was of similar import. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision in heaven .htm

Although the Jew, Then, May Offer no Defence for Himself in the ...
... and its physical structure divided, in order that Ezekiel might be ... power, such as
a faculty of vision which can ... to what they describe when eating the roll of a ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlviii although the jew.htm

Ezekiel
... As the first symbolic action in the book"the eating of the roll, iii.1-3 ... Ezekiel's
imaginative power perhaps reaches its climax in his vision of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/ezekiel.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... (17) And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those ... The eating of the book has
its counterpart in Ezekiel 2:9 and iii.3. Ezekiel ate the roll of the ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... of Josiah to that time (36:1-4). When the king had destroyed this roll, he was ... Secondly,
ideal; that is, seen only in vision; like Ezekiel's prophecy upon ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Coming of a Deliverer
... deep humiliation of soul they traced the words in the prophetic roll: ... ready to exclaim,
"The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth." Ezekiel 12:22 ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 58 the coming of.htm

The Seventh (And Last) vision "On Earth"
... The Seventh (and Last) Vision "on Earth ... Compare Psalm 122:5. Ezekiel 43:7. Zechariah
6:13 ... The eight steps roll back upon themselves, until the Primal blessedness ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the seventh and last vision.htm

The Sealed Book.
... In like manner Ezekiel was shown "a roll of a ... A sealed book is one whose contents
are hidden: "The vision of all is become unto you as the words of a ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the sealed book.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... (See Isaiah 30:30. Ezekiel 13:11). ... This is the second of the three great divisions
of the sixth Vision "on Earth." We have shown them as follows:". ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm