In our reading today, what is John asked to eat? He testified of this, “Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” (Revelation 10: 8)
John goes to the angel and asks him for the scroll, then the angel said to John, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” (Revelation 10: 9)
So John took the scroll and ate it, just as the angel asked. It tasted as sweet honey in his mouth, but when he swallowed it, in his stomach it turned sour.
Then John was told, “You must prophesy against the many peoples, nations, languages and kings.” (Revelation 10: 11)
John had received this particular instruction from another mighty angel coming down from heaven. This mighty angel was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above its head, with his face looking like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. This scroll he was holding was classified as a little scroll.
This little scroll was set apart from the other scrolls, since it was to be digested, its contents had to be eaten.
- God’s word is sweet to our mouth, as we gain understanding from His precepts.
- Learn to digest God’s Word, even if its content is bitter, it restores.
- Yes, the Word (Jesus) restores.
The prophet Ezekiel was also told to eat a scroll (Ezekiel 3: 1), as well. This is symbolically “Suggesting the feeding of the soul on the Word of God.”
The importance of John being commissioned was speaking to all mankind, not just one nation, it was to all and for all.
(Shared from Revelation 10, Modified)
Feed Your Soul From His Word
The Psalmist is exhorting the goodness of God and describes that goodness in what’s on the earth and what’s inside the redeemed man.
“When you send your Spirit, they are created and you renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure forever, may the Lord rejoice in His works…May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord.”(Psalm 104: 30-31, 34)
(Shared from Psalm 104: 24-35, Modified)
Final Reforms Needed
Nehemiah read aloud the Book of Moses to all the people. He leaves in charge, the priest, Eliashib, while Nehemiah goes away to see the Persian King in his court.
While he’s gone, Eliashib, provides a room for Tobiah. Remember, he was one of two (Sanballat and Tobiah) who were greatly disturbed with Nehemiah building the temple wall. Now he is staying in one of the temple rooms. The room was formerly used to store all the grain offerings and all the temple articles.
Nehemiah comes back to Jerusalem and finds out about Tobiah having the room and said, “I was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiahs’ household goods out of the room.” (Nehemiah 13: 8)
- It’s not a good idea to bring in an enemy to stay under the roof of a house, the place that’s being rebuilt and purified.
After he threw him out, Nehemiah then ordered the room to be purified. He also learns that the Levites and those responsible for the temple went back to their own fields.
Going away wasn’t too favorable for this chap. He came back to chaos and disorder. It’s just like the enemy to throw some annoyances at him. Nehemiah found out and was displeased even more, and said, “Why is the house of God neglected?” (Nehemiah 13: 11)
So Nehemiah puts two men in charge who were considered trustworthy.
- Leaders and reformers need to be going forth with rebuilding the house of the Lord.
- Only trustworthy men should be in charge in the rebuilding process.
We see that Nehemiah was called to build the outside of the temple, and to purify the inside. That only comes by making some reforms.
- Reforming is part of the restructuring going on in the house.
In the restructuring process, he said, “Remember me for this, O my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love.” (Nehemiah 13: 22)
- God always provides a chance for men’s hearts to be turned toward Him.
- God desires to inform, transform and reform.
The word of our testimony is inside of us. There are still many to be informed, so they can be reformed. Let Holy Spirit do that transformation.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as we live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in His eyes.” (Romans 12: 2, TPT)
(Shared from Nehemiah 13, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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