The Book of Ezekiel

 Ezekiel became a prophet in Babylon--the first prophet to receive the to prophesy outside the Holy Land. As one of the exiles deported by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 B.C. his first task was to prepare his fellow countrymen in Babylon for the final destruction of Jerusalem, which they believed to inviolable. Accordingly, the firs tpart of his book consists of reproaches for Israel's past and present sins and the confident prediction of yet a further devastation of the land of promise and a more general exile. In 587 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, Ezekiel was vindicated before his unbelieving compatriots.

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The Book of Ezekiel

  His unique contribution to the history of prophetism lies in his manifest interest in the temple and the liturgy, an interest paralleled in no other prophet--not even Jeremiah who, like Ezekiel, was also a priest. Particularly because of this interest, Ezekiel's influence on postexilic religion was enormous, and not without reason has he been call "the father of Judaism." This has resulted in his prophecies reaching us with the evident marks of editi

ng and addition by the postexilic circles that shared his intense interest. However, we may be sure that in this bok we have throughout what is in substance the prophet's own work.

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The Book of Ezekiel

 Ezekiels complex character makes him one of the most interesting figures in Israelite prophecy. In many ways he resembles the more primitive type

of prophet represented by Elijah and Elisha; yet he clearly depends on all his predecessors in prophecy, and his teaching is a developmenmt of theirs.

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Golden Truth about the Golden Age

  The appearance of the Messiah will usher in a glorious future. God will make a covenant of peace. (Read Leviticus 26:6; Jeremiah 31:31; Ezekiel 37:26) Wonderful blessings are promised to His people. They will be assured of absolute protection from heathen nations ("evil beasts") because they are possessed by none other than G

od Himself. (See Ezekiel 34:31)

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Golden Truth about the Golden Age

  Gabriel's prophecy at Jesus' birth in Luke 1:30-33 will be literally fulfilled through David's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This promise of a Messianic King and Kingdom must be carefully distinguished fro

m our Lord's spiritual rule over hearts and lives. The words of Gabriel to Mary still wait complete, literal fulfillment. (See Ezekiel 34: 23-24; 37:24; 1 Kings 14:8; Jeremiah 30:9)

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Golden Truth About the Golden Age

  Back here in the Old Testament, while the Jews were in what seemed hopeless captivity, God declares  constantly that He will restore the Jews to their own land, set up the throne and the kingdom of David through David's greater Son. With His reign will come such earthly and spiritual blessings as have not been known since the world began. This is the golden truth about the golden age which

is coming to pass here on this earth. (Read Ezekiel 34:22-31)

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Predictions after the Siege of Jerusalem--Judah's Restoration (cont.)

  Ezekiel 38 opens with the doom of Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. The reference is to the northern (European) powers, perhaps headed up by Russia. (Read these passages in connection with Zechariah 14: 1-9; 12:1-4; Matthew 24:14-30; Revelation 14:14-20; 19:17-21.) Before the curtain falls we read the description of the kingdom during the coming millennial age. This is what the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth is called when He shall sit  upon the throne of David, in Jerusalem. (See Revelation 20:6.) All there prophets tell us of what a glorious day this will be for both Jew and Gentile. We read of the temple, the worship, and the final possession of the land given to Abraham and to his

seed according to the covenant God gave to him. (See Genesis 12:1-3; 13:14,15; 15:18; 17:3-8.)

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Predictions after the Siege of Jerusalem---Judah's Restoration (cont.)

  Ezekiel sees a vision of all this. There is a valley of dry bones (See Ezekiel 37:1-14) The "bones" are the Jews who shall be alive at the restoration of the nation. The 'Graves" are the nations where they are dwelling but "buried." God first will bring them into their own land. Then they will be converted---a nation shall be born in a day. The Spirit will give them life. The revival of national life is possible! It is not beyond the power of God. Even dry bones, without sinew and flesh, are made to live. The Holy Sprit can bring life. This truth is seen everwhere when the Spirit comes with His quickening power. (See Genesis 2:7; Rev. 11:11) Israel shall multiply as they return to their own land. This restoration of Israel will be a national one. They shall look on Him whom they have pierced and mourn because of Him. And a nation shall be born in a day (See Zechariah 12:10;  John 19:37;  Rom. 11:26) The resurrection in this chapter is not of the individual Jew but of the whole nation.

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Predictions after the Siege of Jerusalem---Judah's Restoration (cont)

  The restoration that Ezekiel tells about does not refer to the feeble remnant that returned to Jerusalem after the seventy years of captivity (see Ezra and Nehemiah) for it is a restoration from all nations (Ezekiel 36:24).

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Predictions after the Siege of Jerusalem--Judah's restoration (cont.)

  Shepherds of Israel had proven faithless to the people, the flock had been scattered; but now Jehovah will set up a Shepherd, "my Servant David." (Read Ezekiel 34:23-24) This, no doubt, refers to the Davidic Covenant and to the seed of David, the Messiah. Look up this series of passages: II Samuel 7:16; Psalm 89:20-36; Isaiah 7:13-14; 9:6-7; 11:1-12; Jeremiah 23:2-7; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Hosea 3:4-5; Luke 1:30-33; Acts 2:29-31; 15:14-17. All this reveals that the future blessing of Israel will come with the Messiah, David's Son. When the Jews rejected Jesus, they did not thwart God's plan or defeat His purpose for in Acts we read that He was raised from the dead to sit on David's throne, and He will return for that prupose (Acts 2:30).

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Predictions after the Siege of Jerusalem---Judah's Restoration (Read Ezekiel 33-48)

  We now can look into the future and see the final restoration and glory of Israel. God will gather together His scattered people. God says over and over, "I will, I will."

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Predictions after the Siege of Jerusalem---Judah's Restoration (Read Ezekiel 33-48)

  We now can look into the future and see the final restoration and glory of Israel. God will gather together His scattered people. God says over and over, "I will, I will."

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Predictions during the Siege of Jerusalem---Judgment against Judah's enemies

  (Read Ezekiel 25-32)

Ezekiel's gloomy predictions are completed. (Ezekiel 1-24) With the news of the fall of Jerusalem he immediately begins to prophesy about the future restoration of Israel. God often reveals a bright picture of Israel's future against the backdrop of divine judgment. (See Ezekiel 33-48.) But before Israel is restored to her land those who are her enemies must be put out of the way. So at this point we hear of the future doom of these foreign powers. First we hear of her near neighbors who have insulted and harassed her anad then of the more distant and more powerful ones. God pronounces His judgment upon Ammon, Moab, Tyre, Sidon and Egypt for their sins against Israel. All of these powers were ancient enemies of Israel. They dated back before the days of the

monarchy. From Israel's petty neighbors with their petty spite, Ezekiel turns to the great empires of Tyre and Egypt. They, too, must go. In a passage of great literary power, Ezekiel describes the brilliance of Tyre, the extent of her commerce, the pity and terror inspired by her fall.

Ezekiel 29-32 tells of the colllapse of Egypt. The mighty Nebuchadnezzar with his terrible army will deal a crushing blow and Egypt will be devastated.

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The Watchman and the Four Symbols (cont.)

 The next chapters reveal the past sins of both Samaria and Jerusalem, and the punishment, and instructions in righteousness for the elders of Israel. (See Ezekiel 11:22-24: 27) God says, I will give them one heart....a new spirit I will put within them....they shall be my people....I will be their God (see Ezekiel 11:19-20). God wants a religious experience of the heart. God will give His people a new spirit. (See Ezekiel 18:31; 36:26)

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The Watchman and the Four Symbols (cont.)

  All of these visions and symbols reveal the method of Ezekiel's prophecy. This is the method used in Daniel and Revelation.

The prophet was shown the way the people had profaned the temple of Jehovah. This justified, to the new generation, the national punishment. ( See Ezekiel 8:1-11: 12)

The prophet pled that Jehovah spare a remnant and Jehovah promised to be a "little sanctuary" to them in the land of their exile. He promised to restore them finally. (See Ezekiel 11:13-21.)

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Four Symbols of Coming Doom of Jerusalem (#4)

  4. The Fate of the Besieged.........Ezekiel 5:1-17

   This last symbol, the knife and razor, is the most terrible of them all. It suggests the completeness of the destruction.

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Four Symbols of Coming Doom of Jerusalem ( #3 )

  3. The Hardships of the Exiles...........Ezekiel 4:9-17

      The horrors of famine due to siege are symbolized here by the prophet's food and drink, carefully measured out---about one-half pound of food a day and a pint of water.

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Four Symbols of Coming Doom of Jerusalem (#2)

  2. The Exile-Its Duration...........Ezekiel 4:4-8

      This section is curious. Remember Ezkiel was a sign. He lay upon his side to symbolize the years of punishment the Jews were to suffer in exile--a day for a year.

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Four Symbols of Coming Doom of Jerusalem (#1)

1. The Siege of Jerusalem......Ezezkiel 4:1-3

    Ezekiel cannot speak, but he is a prophet still and he can preach, if not by word, by symbol. (See Ezekiel 3:22-27)

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The Watchman (cont.)

  God impressed Ezekiel with individual responsibility. Each one must repent. Each one must hear the Word. How true this is today of every person. Each one must accept Christ for himself. No one can do it for another. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12). (See John 3:16; 5:24; 3:36).

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The Watchman (cont.)

Ezekiel 33:7 says, I have set thee a watchman.

  As a watchman Ezekiel must warn individual men of the coming catastrophe which he so clearly sees. It is not enough to warn the crowd. He must deal with individuals, good or bad, who compose the crowd and tell them to turn from their evil ways.

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The Watchman (cont.)

God places a great responsibility on His watchmen. How can we be so careless in the light of such words as these? How can we go to sleep and fail to warn other of their sins? Let us answer this challenge and heed th

is warning.

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The Watchman

At the end of the week he received another message from God. This time it was more explicit. He was called to be a watchman. I have made thee a watchman...give them warning from me...If thou givest him [wicked man] not warning...his blood thou hast saved thyself (see Ezekiel 3:16-21).

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The Call (continued)

Then the whir of the wings and the roar of the wheels was heard when the glory of Jehovah rose from the place and the chariot departed, leaving the prophet in a state of bitterness and heat of spirit. In this mood he found his way to Tel-abib, a colony of his fellow exiles and remained for a week in a state of utter stupefaction.

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The Call (continued)

The prophet's authority is suggested by the symbolic swallowing of a book-roll. He must make the message his own. He must "eat it." (Read Ezekiel 3:3). Bitter as its contents were to his mouth, they were sweet as honey, for it is sweet to do the will of God and to be trus

ted with tasks for Him.

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The Call

Following the vision the awful silence was broken by the Almighty upon the throne. The prophet was receiving his call. God told the prostrate prophet to rise and accept his commission for service. God wants more than inactive submission. He wants loving service. God called Ezekiel "son of man." One hundred times this phrase is used. Ezekiel was called to declare the message of God --a message of doom to the people. (Read Ezekiel 2:1-10). This doom was justified by their rebellion. Ezekiel had every temptation to "rebel" but he went without flinching to

speak the word.

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A Quick Panorama of Ezekiel (continued)

The mysterious whir of the mighty wings was followed by an equally mysterious silence. The wings dropped. The chariots stopped. Above the heads of the creatures was a crystal floor on which rested a sapphire throne, and on the throne Almighty God Himself, a figure of supernatural brilliance and glory. The terror of divine majesty was softened by the sight of a lovely rainbow around the throne. Little wonder that when Ezekiel saw this vision he fell prostrate. The vision was to destroy all self-confidence that the prophet might have.

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A quick panorama of Ezekiel (continued)

The prophet saw a fiery cloud approaching. From out of the glow were four living creatures, suggested by the cherubim of the temple. (See 1 Kings 6:23-28; Genesis 3:24; Psalm 18:10.) Each had four wings and four faces: that of a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle, symbolizing intelligence, dignity, strength and speed. They faced east, west, north and south suggesting that all parts of the universe are open to the gaze of God. The wings showed that there was no spot inaccessible to divine power. There were eyes in the wheels-wheels so equipped cannot miss their wa

y. We see a symbol of the omnipotence (all power). omnipresence (all present), and omniscience (all knowledge) of God.

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A Quick Panorama of Ezekiel

The pivot of the book is the destruction of Jerusalem.

1. Pre-Siege....(1-24)

    Ezekiel began six years before the destruction of Jerusalem with his prophecies and kept prediction its certainly until it occurred.

2. Siege....(25-32)

     After that his prophecies deal with Judah's enemies and the overthrow of these heathen nations.

3. Post-Siege....(33-48)

     Finally the restoration and reestablishment of Judah is pictured.

     Ezekiel gives us a very dramatic picture of his vision and call to service. The Holy Being who appeared to him could go everywhere. He was all powerful, could see everything and could rule the entire universe by His mighty hand.

     The vision which he saw was unusually complicated and elaborate. Notice how many times Ezekiel uses the words "appearance" and "likeness." He knows he is trying to describe things impossible to picture.

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