Today’s Devotion
Topic: Eat, Be Filled And Evangelise (Self Assessment)
Background :
The statement our Lord Jesus made in Matthew 4:4 that “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God”, suggests that the Word of God is a kind of food that nourishes the soul in a way that physical food does not. The measure of living therefore is not just in balance dieting but also the feasting of the Word. How is it possible, however, for one to literally eat words and claim satisfaction?
For answers to these and more, let’s zoom straight into our weekly Bible study. Kindly read the passage below carefully and share your thoughts with us.
Text: Ezekiel 3: 1- 4, 7- 9, 14
1 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.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. 3 Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.
4 He then said to me: “Son of man, go now to the people of Israel and speak my words to them. 7 But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for all the Israelites are hardened and obstinate.
8 But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. 9 I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.14 The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD on me. Amen
Questions :
- In your opinion, what is the Word of God and why do many refer to it as “food for the soul”?
- In verses 1- 3, Prophet Ezekiel was given a scroll to eat. Does “eating the word” literally mean chewing the printed pages of the Bible? If not, what does it mean to say we “eat the Word of God”?
- In verse 3, we see that the WORD OF GOD given to Ezekiel to eat was to fill his stomach. Does the Word of God truly satisfy; How? Also, when is one said to be filled with the Word of God?
- In verse 3 again, we see Prophet Ezekiel confirm what David said in Psalm 19: 10 that ‘the Word of God is sweeter than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb.’ What does it mean to say the word of God is sweet; and practically, when does one come to such a conclusion?
- After eating the Word of God, the Spirit of God sent Ezekiel to preach to the house of Israel. What role does knowing God and living by His word play in evangelism?
- According to verses 7- 9, the Lord cautioned Ezekiel that the house of Israel will be very stubborn and adamant to his messages but He (God) would make him as hardened as they are. What does this mean to all the excuses we give just to quit evangelism, simply because we met stubborn people whose hearts are hardened against the gospel?
- What have you learnt from today’s Bible study?
Kindly reply through this same social media platform ( Facebook & WhatsApp ). We learn a great deal from the answers you share with us.
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