And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.”
Ezekiel 3:1 NIV
In Ezekiel chapter 2, we encounter the moment God calls His prophet and commissions him with a solemn task. Ezekiel is to speak to the people of Israel, declaring the word of the Lord regardless of their response. But before he ever utters a word, he must first be feeding on God’s word. This principle is crucial: unless we are first feeding on God’s word, we have nothing of eternal value to say. In fact, Ezekiel’s calling reveals that the authority to speak comes only after feeding on God’s word has taken place.
This divine instruction is not merely about relaying a message. God tells Ezekiel that he must first listen, internalise, and submit. He warns him not to mirror the rebellious spirit of the people but to obey. Before Ezekiel is ever to speak, he must first be fed with the word of God.
This theme deepens in chapter 3, where the Lord says, “Eat what is before you—eat this scroll—then go and speak to the house of Israel” (Ezekiel 3:1). It’s a striking command that reveals an enduring spiritual principle: God prioritises receiving before speaking. Ministry must flow from intimacy. There is no authority in speaking for God if one has not first received from Him.
I am not truly a messenger of God if what I share originates from my own thoughts, preferences, or experiences. Unless my words are from what God has given me, I have nothing of eternal value to say. Just as Ezekiel was commanded to eat the scroll, I too must receive divine truth before I presume to speak on behalf of the Lord.
God’s instruction was not to merely taste the scroll but to consume it fully. He says, “Eat it and fill your stomach with it.” This wasn’t symbolic or shallow; it was deep, thorough, and nourishing. The message had to go beyond Ezekiel’s mouth and reach the core of his being. This reveals God’s intentionality—He desires that His word saturate us completely.
Nothing else should occupy the sacred space from which I speak, counsel, or minister. If I have not fed on the word of God, I am unfit to feed others. The source of spiritual authority is not in charisma or eloquence, but in the depth of our communion with God and the extent to which His word fills our hearts.
How glorious, then, that Ezekiel testifies the scroll tasted as sweet as honey. Such is the nature of God’s word—it is not only essential but also delightful. The Lord offers us something rich, sweet, and life-giving, something that satisfies the soul and strengthens the spirit.
We have been given the privilege of partaking in God’s word, which is ever true, ever living, and deeply personal. It nourishes us for the journey and equips us for our calling. But we must long for it. We must feed on it daily, intentionally, and gratefully.
Without the word, I have no message to share. My focus, then, must always be on receiving before I speak—on hearing before declaring. Just as we hunger for physical nourishment, so must we hunger for the voice of the Lord. As I feast on His word, I fill my heart, my life, my very being with Him.
Living It Out
Take time today to reflect: Are you speaking before feeding? Before you serve, lead, or speak in God’s name, ensure that you have first received from Him. Return to the word. Delight in it. Let it fill your heart and shape your life.
Ask the Lord to give you a renewed hunger for His word. Commit to feasting on it daily. Only then will your life carry the fragrance and authority of one who truly speaks for God.