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First, let’s paint a backdrop of what Ezekiel is dealing with here. The people of Israel have continually rejected the Word and the prophets. They are stubborn and obstinant (Eze 3:7). They, like us, needed reminders of God’s righteous judgment along with His amazing grace.
There’s a part of us that desires hard line truth. When we read the latest news and witness the unbearable evil in this world, we cry out for justice. God asks Ezekiel to taste His Word and the sweetness in it. It exemplifies that God is vindicated by His glorious holiness. God knows it will taste sweet to Ezekiel because it is good and perfect.
The task at hand for Ezekiel is not to just taste and see that the Lord is good (Psm 34:8), but to go in the fullness of obedience and proclaim that Word to the people. This process is bitter to the prophet.
So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away; and I went embittered in the rage of my spirit, and the hand of the LORD was strong on me.
Ezekiel 3:14 NASB
It’s fascinating to consider that the apostle John experienced the exact same bittersweet taste when he took in God’s Word along with His coming judgment.
So I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. And he *said to me, “Take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.”
Revelation 10:9 NASB
Bittersweet. This is what we wrestle with every day as believers in a fallen world. Within the message of confronting the rebellious people, the result would be bittersweet. The sweetness would be found in the fact that God has the last word. He is holy and righteous and sovereign over all things. When we are walking alongside Him with complete obedience we will experience a satisfaction like never before. We will fulfill our purpose in life of serving and glorifying Him. There is no greater sweetness than this.
However, we will also experience turmoil, opposition, and the bitter effects of sin as well. We will see people whom we’ve invested in fall by the wayside. We will watch as families are split apart for the sake of Jesus Christ. We ourselves will continue to feel the sting of our own temptations as we fight to walk in the Spirit. And when we are called to deliver a tough message, we will be marginalized, mocked, and ridiculed. The people who hear the voice of the Spirit and never make any progress in repentance will leave a horribly bitter taste in our mouth.
So, is your life full of bittersweet moments? Are you feeling the sweetness of His presence and the bitterness of rejection? Are you, like Ezekiel, feasting on the Word of God?