Because God twice tells Ezekiel to eat the scroll (3:1, 3), it may be that there was some reluctance on Ezekiel’s part. If so, he stands in the train of others such as Moses, Gideon, Jonah, and Jeremiah who were not initially euphoric about God’s call. Only Isaiah is eager and receptive from the start (Isaiah 6). It is not enough for Ezekiel to take the scroll into his mouth (3:1); he must ingest it as well (3:3). To his surprise the scroll tastes as sweet as honey. This simile reminds us of Psalms 19:10 and 119:103. Ezekiel may even have borrowed the analogy from Jeremiah (Jer. 15:16). To find the word of the Lord sweet means that it is inherently desirable and attractive and has satisfactory effects.

Ezekiel is reminded that his message is not to foreigners (3:5). This is strange, howe…