Which Old Testament prophet was given a book to eat by God?

Isn’t it wild to think about a prophet literally munching on a book? When Ezekiel received this unusual command, it wasn't just for shock value—it was a powerful metaphor. Eating a scroll represented fully absorbing God’s messages so that they became part of his being. It’s like when you’re so excited about a new story or a project that it consumes your thoughts!

Ezekiel’s vision also connects to another famous book-eaters in the Bible—Revelation’s John, who is told to eat a scroll (Revelation 10:9). In both instances, the act of eating symbolized internalizing divine revelation, digesting its incredible truths and bitter consequences, alike! Clever, right?

Ezekiel also dealt with some pretty heavy imagery and complex visions of strange creatures, like the famous wheels within wheels that had fire and brought God's messages to him in dramatic fashion. Fun fact: his name means “God strengthens,” reference note to the empowerment involved in his prophetic mission.

Interestingly, pages of ancient texts weren’t created equal. Many scrolls at the time were made from animal skins and treated papyrus, indicating real effort went into what characters were crafting—the messages were carefully treasured and, now and then, really put to the test. Thus, God showing Ezekiel to consume such writings speaks volumes about commitment and divine relationship in the larger scope of Israel's future. Who knew eating papers could hold such weight!