Ezekiel was given a book to eat, telling of the judgment to be executed on Israel, and though there was written therein “lamentations, and mourning, and woe” (verse 10) it was in his mouth as honey for sweetness (chapter 3:3). The believer rejoices that God will put down His enemies; will cleanse the world of evil; but when the fearful end of the wicked is seen, as John saw it in prospect in Revelation 10:9-10,9And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. 10And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. (Revelation 10:9‑10) the sweetness yields place to bitterness.
A solemn responsibility was committed to the prophet (verses 17-21); he must give warning from God to the wicked and to the righteous; if he failed to do it, the blood of the guilty would be required at Ezekiel’s hand. How important is the duty of every professed servant of God, to fulfill the service allotted to him!
Yet was Ezekiel to be wholly directed by his Master, who would cause him to be dumb or to speak, as He chose (verses 26-27). True service for God is not often unceasing labor, and not a little of the religious activity of the present day may not have His approval.