The Small Scroll

What a blessing it is to return to Bible study after a long absence! I didn't realize how much I missed my brothers until we gathered last night to discuss chapters 10 and 11 of the Book of Revelation. Our discussions were mentally and spiritually challenging and a lot of iron got sharpened last night! 

As I've mentioned before, I'm a member of Bible Study Fellowship and for the first time ever we are studying the Book of Revelation. I'm so glad I was back in town in time for last night's lesson because it covered one of the verses that has truly perplexed me since I first read the Book of Revelation so long ago:

9 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.” 10 I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter. 11 And they said to me, “You must prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.” (Revelation 10:9-11)

For a very long time this made no sense to me. I thought for a long time that the little scroll contained a secret that was so powerful? terrifying? that it burned in the stomach. Then I thought I could go on about gastro-intestinal issues causing something sweet to go sour in the stomach but that's not it. As we discussed this I noticed a footnote leading back to Ezekiel:

9 Then I looked, and behold, a hand was extended to me; and lo, a scroll was in it. 10 When He spread it out before me, it was written on the front and back, and written on it were lamentations, mourning and woe. 1 Then He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and He fed me this scroll. 3 He said to me, “Son of man, feed your stomach and fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you.” Then I ate it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth. (Ezekiel 2:9 - 3:3)

 It is nearly the exact same situation that John found himself in.

4 Then He said to me, “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them. 5 For you are not being sent to a people of unintelligible speech or difficult language, but to the house of Israel, 6 nor to many peoples of unintelligible speech or difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. But I have sent you to them who should listen to you; 7 yet the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, since they are not willing to listen to Me. Surely the whole house of Israel is stubborn and obstinate. 8 Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. 9 Like emery harder than flint I have made your forehead. Do not be afraid of them or be dismayed before them, though they are a rebellious house.” 10 Moreover, He said to me, “Son of man, take into your heart all My words which I will speak to you and listen closely. 11 Go to the exiles, to the sons of your people, and speak to them and tell them, whether they listen or not, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’” (Ezekiel 3:4-11)

As we discussed this passage it became clear that the scroll contained the word of God and it is indeed sweet when we learn (eat) it. But the word of God is not meant to be held within, that's why it goes bitter in the stomach, it needs to come back out and shared where again it will be sweet as honey. 

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,

Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;

It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

Refrain:

I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory,

To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems

Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.

I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;

And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

Refrain

I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat

What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.

I love to tell the story, for some have never heard

The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.

Refrain

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best

Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.

And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,

’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

Refrain