What is the significance of eating the scroll in the Bible?

In the Bible, the act of eating a scroll is a powerful and symbolic gesture that appears in both the Old and New Testaments, specifically in the prophetic books of Ezekiel and Revelation. This act carries profound theological and spiritual significance, reflecting the intimate and transformative relationship between the Word of God and the prophet who receives it.

The first instance of eating a scroll occurs in the book of Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 2:8-3:3, the prophet Ezekiel is commanded by God to eat a scroll:

"But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you." And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe. And he said to me, 'Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.' So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat. And he said to me, 'Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.' Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey." (Ezekiel 2:8-3:3, ESV)

In this passage, the scroll represents the Word of God, filled with messages of lamentation, mourning, and woe. By eating the scroll, Ezekiel internalizes the divine message, signifying that he must fully absorb and embody God's words before he can effectively communicate them to the people of Israel. The act of eating the scroll symbolizes the prophet's total acceptance and assimilation of God's message, making it an integral part of his being. This internalization is crucial for the prophet's role as a spokesperson for God, as it ensures that the message he delivers is not just heard but deeply understood and felt.

The sweetness of the scroll in Ezekiel's mouth, despite its bitter content, highlights the dual nature of God's Word. While the messages may contain harsh judgments and difficult truths, they are ultimately sweet because they come from God and carry the potential for repentance, redemption, and restoration. This paradox reflects the complexity of the divine message, which can be both challenging and life-giving.

The second instance of eating a scroll occurs in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 10:8-11, the apostle John is instructed to eat a little scroll:

"Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, 'Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.' So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, 'Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.' And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. And I was told, 'You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.'" (Revelation 10:8-11, ESV)

Similar to Ezekiel's experience, John is commanded to eat the scroll, symbolizing the internalization of God's prophetic message. The scroll is sweet in John's mouth but turns bitter in his stomach, emphasizing the bittersweet nature of the prophetic message. The sweetness represents the initial reception of God's Word, which is a delight to those who love and seek truth. However, the bitterness signifies the difficult and often painful realities that come with proclaiming God's judgments and warnings to a rebellious and sinful world.

The act of eating the scroll in both Ezekiel and Revelation underscores the prophet's role as a mediator between God and humanity. By consuming the scroll, the prophet becomes a living vessel of God's Word, fully embodying the message they are called to deliver. This profound act of internalization ensures that the prophet's words are not merely spoken but are deeply rooted in their very being, enhancing the authenticity and authority of their proclamation.

Furthermore, the imagery of eating the scroll highlights the transformative power of God's Word. Just as physical food nourishes and sustains the body, the Word of God nourishes and sustains the soul. When the prophet eats the scroll, it signifies that God's Word is not just external information but a vital and life-giving force that transforms the prophet from within. This transformation equips the prophet to faithfully and effectively fulfill their divine calling.

The significance of eating the scroll also extends to the broader biblical theme of the Word of God as spiritual nourishment. In Deuteronomy 8:3, Moses reminds the Israelites that "man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." Jesus echoes this sentiment in Matthew 4:4 during His temptation in the wilderness. The act of eating the scroll vividly illustrates this truth, emphasizing that the Word of God is essential for spiritual life and growth.

In Christian tradition, the symbolism of eating the scroll has been interpreted as a call for believers to internalize and embody the Word of God in their own lives. Just as the prophets Ezekiel and John were transformed by their encounter with the divine message, Christians are called to let the Word of God dwell richly within them (Colossians 3:16). This internalization leads to a transformed life that reflects the character and purposes of God.

The writings of early Church Fathers and Christian theologians have further explored this theme. For example, St. Augustine in his "Confessions" speaks of the sweetness of God's Word and how it nourished his soul, drawing a parallel to the experience of the prophets. Similarly, John Calvin in his "Institutes of the Christian Religion" emphasizes the importance of meditating on Scripture and allowing it to shape one's thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

In summary, the act of eating the scroll in the Bible is a richly symbolic gesture that signifies the prophet's complete internalization and embodiment of God's Word. It highlights the transformative power of the divine message, the bittersweet nature of prophetic proclamation, and the essential role of God's Word as spiritual nourishment. For believers today, it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of immersing oneself in Scripture, allowing it to shape and transform one's life, and faithfully proclaiming its truths to the world.