Perhaps you’ve heard the expression, “I devoured that book,” or someone illustrate the process of assimilating the contents of a book through reflection as “digesting.” Two men in the Bible were told in visions to eat a book, though their historical situations differed.

Ezekiel was commissioned, “But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you. Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. Then He spread it before me; and there was writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe” (2:8-10). When Ezekiel ate the scroll, he said, “it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness” (3:3). Ezekiel was to tell the house of Israel God’s message of impending doom if they did not repent. The lamentations, mourning, and woe he had to deliver to this rebellious house so that they would “know that a prophet has been among them” (2:5; cf. 33:33). Ezekiel took on the task and made God’s message part of him because he wanted to do God’s will, but he was also in bitterness of spirit (3:14).

In Revelation 10:9-11, John wrote, “So I went to the angel and said to him, ‘Give me the little book.’ And he said to me, ‘Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.’ Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. And he said to me, ‘You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.’” John delighted in God avenging His people (Rev. 6:10; 18:20), but he would have to relate this message of doom that was soon to come on those who persecuted God’s people. This would bring about persecution, as John was already experiencing for the word of God; he was exiled to Patmos and was a brother in tribulation to the seven churches of Asia to whom he wrote (1:9).

The Bible is a delight to those who want to draw closer to God; it is “sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10). We can join in with the psalmist and say to God, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psa. 119:103). Yet there are tough words in the Bible that often elicit a bitter response. Whether it is the prophet Ezekiel speaking to unfaithful Israel of old, John giving warning and hope to first-century churches, or the faithful Christian who stands with the Bible today, bitterness is part of proclaiming God’s judgments to a rebellious world.

Though we do not receive inspired visions as Ezekiel and John did—since the Bible is complete (1 Cor. 13:8-10; Eph. 4:7-13; Heb. 2:3-4)—we must still in a sense ingest God’s word. In resisting the devil’s temptation, the Lord Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3 and said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mt. 4:4). If we are to grow as Christians, we must desire the pure milk of the word of God (1 Pet. 2:2). Then we should grow to full age so that we can handle the meat of God’s word (Heb. 5:12-14; 1 Cor. 3:1-2). Consume God’s word. Absorb it. Make it a part of your being, so that you are thoroughly prepared to teach it to others.

-Mark Day

“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). Paul pointed out the selflessness that is to characterize followers of Christ. Christ is the ultimate example of humble, sacrificial service to others (Philippians 2:11). Paul’s one aim was to follow Christ. For him to live was Christ and to die was gain (Philippians 1:21); he was willing to be poured out as a drink offering, as a sacrifice to serve others such as his brothers in Christ at Philippi (Philippians 2:17). Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians from prison and was willing to die if need be in service for Christ. Ultimately, death is a gain to the Christian.

            In this context, Paul commended some of his brothers who were fellow laborers to the Philippians. Timothy would naturally care for their state, unlike most who are self-seeking (Philippians 2:19-21). Epaphroditus served Paul’s needs during the imprisonment. Epaphroditus lived in service to others to the point that he was sick and came close to death for the work of Christ (Philippians 2:30). In imitation of Christ, he did not regard his own life in order to serve others. When Epaphroditus was sick near to death, he was distressed not with selfish thoughts but out of concern for the Philippians because they had heard he was sick (Philippians 2:26-27). What an example!

            Sickness is not the result of a lack of faith, (as health and wealth preachers advocate); instead, many faithful folks have had serious illnesses. Jesus did not say the sick need more faith; the Lord said the sick need a doctor (Luke 5:31). Paul, as an apostle endowed with the miraculous power of God, could heal the sick (Acts 14:8-10; 28:7-9), yet not all of his fellow soldiers in the good fight of faith were without illness (1 Tim. 5:23; 2 Tim. 4:20). Even Paul himself had to suffer with a thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7-10). God did not see fit to safeguard Epaphroditus from sickness, but He did have mercy to save him from death. This man is commended for serving others without regard to his own life.

            We should not be foolish about our health, but wise in how we conduct our lives; being good stewards of our health is part of redeeming the short time we have on this earth (Ephesians 5:15-16). Physical health is crucial to our ability to serve others, but it is not the ultimate end in itself. Bodily exercise does profit in this life, but only a little when contrasted with the benefits of godliness for here and hereafter (1 Timothy 4:8). Paul puts Epaphroditus—his brother, fellow laborer, and fellow soldier—forth as a great example because his service to others in the work of Christ took priority over his own health interests. We pray regularly for the health of our brothers and sisters, and so we should, but we must also remember to pray as John did for Gaius. In 3 John 2, he wrote: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” If your physical health was on par with your soul’s health, would you be better off, like Gaius, or worse? Let us keep the mind of Christ and the great examples of Philippians 2 in mind as we attempt to maintain the perspective God desires us to have in regard to health.

-Mark Day