August 8: DINING UPON THE WORD

Then I took the little book out of 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 became bitter. Revelation 10:10

In “eating” the word of God, there is a call and a commission to take the heavenly message to others. Saints of the Lord, because of their wholehearted love for Him, find that dining upon His word is a pleasure and a delight. Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel had similar experiences to that of John the Revelator.

Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. (Jeremiah 15:16) But after Jeremiah preached what he had been learning, he said I am in derision daily. Everyone mocks me . . . the word of the LORD was made to me a reproach and a derision daily. (20:7,8) Jeremiah’s heart was broken over the spiritual condition of his own countrymen. He has been named “the weeping prophet” because he never saw a single convert result from the messages he shared. Discouragement and bitterness nearly overtook him. Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore of His name.” (9a) Of course we all know that Jeremiah chose not to wallow in bitterness. And here’s why: But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not. (9b)

Ezekiel saw the glory of the LORD in a spectacular vision. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking. (Ezekiel 1:28b) Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. (2:9) Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” (3:1) So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness. (3:3) The prophet was then informed by the LORD of the obstinance of the people, preparing him for the bitterness of rejection (3:5-11). So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me. (3:14)

The indescribable sweetness of the Word of God to those who are willing to receive it is a recurring theme in the Scriptures. How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103) We must look upon Jeremiah and Ezekiel as our brothers in Christ. Though they, along with other prophets, were insulted, rejected, and mistreated by their own people, they persevered in faith. In being called to share the good news of salvation, the elements of repentance and judgment were, and are, essential. Repentance must be genuine. There is a standard of judgment. John’s bittersweet experience is a symbolic portrayal of what God’s last-day people will experience. The gospel must go to all the world. It is a message of restoration of the heavenly temple in its context of final judgment.

The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold. Yea, much more than fine gold. Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned. And in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:9b-11