“But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious
like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.”
Ezekiel 2:8
Before we leave Ezekiel 2 we want to explore one more important
thought that is the key to a believer’s success. God tells Ezekiel to feast on what he gives him. We know this is God’s word. The Lord, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3 says, “Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Job knew how
important the word of God is (even as he goes through a difficult trial in his life. “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.” (Job 23:12) Jeremiah tells us that God’s word brings us joy. “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart.” (Jeremiah 23:16) The Lord tells us God’s word is truth which is critical to our growth in Christ (John 17:17). It is critical when we are saved (I Peter 2:2) and it is critical to give us the strength we need as good soldiers of God. (Hebrews 5:12). We cannot exist or be successful without it.
If the word of God is that important to us, how do we get the maximum value from it?
First, we take time to spend reading God’s word. It must be a desire, a priority, in our lives. Ezekiel was sent to the rebellious house of Israel. Their desire was to serve themselves and be like the world. God tells Ezekiel not to be like that. His priority is to feast on God’s word.
Second, we must be willing. God tells Ezekiel to open his mouth. God won’t do this for him so Ezekiel’s willingness to partake of and proclaim God’s word is tested. We have all seen little children who close their mouths tightly when they are offered food they don’t like (or have never had before and do not want to try). They twist and turn their head making it impossible to get the food into their mouths. Many believers are like this. When it is time to open their mouths to receive God’s word they find any and all excuses they can to put it off. The truth is they do not really like God’s word. They are addicted to junk food provided by the world – music, tv, movies, video games cell phones – activities that fill the time that should have been spent reading and meditating on God’s word,
Third, they have to eat God’s word. If food stays in our mouths it might dissolve and create a little value. God gave us the ability to chew our food. Chewing food breaks it down so that it more easily digested in the stomach but chewing also stimulates the production of digestive enzymes in our mouths. Chewing and these enzymes assist the digestion of the food which allows us to gain the nutritional value much quicker. This is what we are told in Psalm 1. “His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Meditation on God’s word is the tearing apart of His word in our minds – chewing on what it means and its application in our lives. Just as this is done with food so that it is digested by and strengthens and transforms the body, so does meditation on God’s word strengthen and transform our hearts and minds. Joshua 1:8 tells us
this is God’s pathway to spiritual growth and success (in God’s sight). “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall
meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, then you will have good success.”
Finally, taking in quality food prevents infections and diseases as it makes us strong. God tells Ezekiel to fill his heart and mind with what
He gives him (as opposed to the unhealthy world system which feeds him food that will create spiritual weakness and sickness). He is also told to eat what God gives him before he takes God’s message to a hostile world system. The time to ingest and meditate on God’s word is well before the battles begin. In that way the person will be stronger during the battle.
What can we learn? God knew what Ezekiel would face and He wants His servant prepared for the battle. Psalm 119 gives us an insight into why God gives this instruction to Ezekiel and us. “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” If Ezekiel is going to go into the midst of evil and is going to remain faithful to God, a steady diet of God’s word is necessary. That truth has not changed over the millennium. “If Your law had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my affliction.” Psalm 119:92