Reading for December 20th

Read Ezekiel 2.8-3.15. In 2.8-3.3: Ezekiel eats the scroll to internalize the divine message. The scroll represents the Torah scroll stored in the ark of the covenant and read to the people (Deut 31.9-13, 24-27; Neh 8-10). Although the scroll is inscribed with words of lamentation and mourning and woe, Ezekiel sates that it was as sweet as honey (compare Jer 15.16). In verses 4-11: Many peoples of obscure speech and difficult language: many peoples were incorporated into the Assyrian and Babylonian empires (Isa 33.19). God stresses that the message is for Israel, not the nations. In verse 12-15: Tel-abib, "hill of barley," may derive from the Babylonian expression "til abubi," "hill of the flood"; Babylonia is prone to flooding in the spring. Comments or Questions..