The imagery of the scroll and its consumption is a significant motif found in the prophetic literature of the Bible, particularly in the books of Ezekiel and Revelation. This motif symbolizes the reception and internalization of God's message by His chosen prophets, who are then tasked with delivering His word to the people.

Ezekiel's Vision

In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet is called by God to deliver a message to the rebellious house of Israel. In Ezekiel 2:9-10, the prophet describes a vision where he sees a hand stretched out to him, holding a scroll. The scroll is unrolled before him, and it is filled with lamentations, mourning, and woe. The Lord commands Ezekiel to eat the scroll, symbolizing the complete assimilation of God's message into his being. Ezekiel 3:1-3 states:

> "And He said to me, 'Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.' So I opened my mouth, and He fed me the scroll. 'Son of man,' He said to me, 'eat this scroll I am giving you, and fill your stomach with it.' So I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth."

The act of eating the scroll signifies Ezekiel's acceptance of his prophetic mission and the internalization of the divine message, which he must then proclaim to the people of Israel. The sweetness of the scroll in his mouth contrasts with the bitter message of judgment it contains, highlighting the dual nature of God's word as both a source of truth and a call to repentance.

John's Vision in Revelation

A similar scene unfolds in the book of Revelation, where the Apostle John is given a scroll to consume. In Revelation 10:8-10 , John recounts:

> "Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, 'Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.' So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, 'Take it and eat it. It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.' So I took the little scroll from 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 turned bitter."

In this passage, the scroll represents the revelation of God's plans and judgments. The sweetness in John's mouth signifies the joy and privilege of receiving divine revelation, while the bitterness in his stomach reflects the difficult and often distressing nature of the prophetic message he must deliver. This duality underscores the weight of responsibility borne by those who are called to proclaim God's word.

Theological Significance

The consumption of the scroll in both Ezekiel and Revelation serves as a powerful metaphor for the prophetic vocation. It emphasizes the necessity for God's messengers to fully internalize His word before they can faithfully communicate it to others. The sweetness and bitterness experienced by Ezekiel and John illustrate the complex nature of divine revelation, which brings both comfort and challenge to its recipients.

Furthermore, the scroll and its consumption highlight the authority and authenticity of the prophetic message. By ingesting the scroll, the prophets demonstrate their complete submission to God's will and their readiness to speak His truth, regardless of the personal cost. This act of obedience and dedication is a testament to the transformative power of God's word, which equips and empowers His servants to fulfill their divine calling.