If someone tells you to “feed your belly” or “fill your stomach,” you may hope to be standing in the buffet line at your favorite restaurant. But after reading Ezekiel 3, you might conclude that someone has just handed you a Bible! The second chapter ended with Ezekiel being handed “a scroll of a book,” with writing on both sides (2:9). Now the prophet is told by God to “eat this scroll.” Since we know it contains “words of lamentation and mourning and woe” (2:10), we may be surprised when Ezekiel reports that it is as “sweet as honey” in his mouth (v 1-3). But as D.A. Carson explains, “The point of the vision is that God’s words become sweet to Ezekiel simply because they are God’s words. God really does know best; He knows what is right. Therefore, even when His words pronounce judgment and calamity, there is a sense in which the prophet must be empathetic to God’s perspective.” If the LORD was sending him to some foreign land, Ezekiel’s first step would be to learn the language, and he might have expected a difficult ministry. But God was sending him to the people of his own heritage—who would prove to be more hardened and unyielding than any pagan culture! Though it doesn’t sound like a fun assignment, with God’s Word filling His mind and soul, Ezekiel will be ready for this head-butting contest. He may not be the most popular guy in town, but he will take God’s side with relentless energy (v 4-11). In Ezekiel’s vision, the Spirit of God next transports him to the place where the exiles are dwelling; and there he sits, “overwhelmed among them seven days” (v 12-15). After this week to process his calling, Ezekiel hears from God once again. There comes a time when we must get to work, regardless of how we are feeling. God compares the prophet’s job to that of a “watchman,” one who warns the city of approaching danger. He won’t be held responsible for how the people respond, but he will answer to God for how he handles his own obligation. God’s message for the wicked is to repent, and His message for the righteous is to persevere, lest they perish with the wicked (v 16-21). Once more Ezekiel returns to the valley and sees the glory of the LORD. Now he is required to do three things: stay home, stay bound, and stay quiet. Unless he is speaking for God, he must not be seen or heard. As God’s slave, he is not allowed to offer his own opinions or do anything that might diminish his prophetic credibility. After six years, when Jerusalem falls, he will resume normal life and conversation (33:21-22). Until then, whenever the people see Ezekiel coming, they’ll know that the LORD has a message for them! (v 22-27). For further meditation: