Ezekiel Style

Ezekiel's style has caused some modern commentators to question his balance and even his sanity. Chapters 1, 8, 10, 37, and 40 describ

e ecstatic visions seizing the prophet's whole person. Among his prophetic gestures are clapping his hands and stamping his feet (6, 11), digging through the wall of his house at night with a pack on his back to illustrate the exile (12, 5), lying on his side for 390 days, and arranging his cut hair in three piles (5, 1-17). Though some scholars of the previous generation argues that such behavior indicated mental instability, most today recognize that the actions are prophetic gestures, like Isaiah walking naked in Jerusalem for three years to dramatize the Assyrian conquest of Egypt (Is 20). They are a kind of living parable, designed to shock and provoke reflection. They do not provide a glimpse of "the real Ezekiel," whose personality (in the modern sense of personality) is largely hidden from our eyes.

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The Rebuilt Temple (Ezekiel 40-48)

Like the other prophets, Ezekiel's message concluded on a strong note of hope. The prophet looks forward to a time of blessing at history's end, when God's people will live in their land and worshop the Lord at a temple that will be constructed at that time.

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Ezekiel 37:11-14

Many believe this prophecy is be

ing fulfilled in our time. For thousands of years the Jewish people were scattered throughout the world, with no homeland. Then, in 1948, Israel became a nation, but a secular state without spiritual life and vitality, When Jesus, the Messiah of the Old Testament, returns to rule, God's Old Testamnent people will recognize him and be saved (Ezekiel 37:15-28).

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Ezekiel 13:22

We must be very careful how we represent God's message, neither adding to it nor taking away from it. Any true word from the Lord will encourage His people and urge the wicked to turn from evil.

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Ezekiel 25:6and7

For thus says the Lord God: "Because you clapped your hands, stamped your feet, and rejoiced in heart with all your disdain for the land of Israel. "indeed, therefore, I will stretch out My hand against you, and give you as plunder to the nations; I will cut you off from the peoples, and I will cause you to perish from the countries; I will destroy you, and you shall know that I am the Lord."

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Ezekiel

Why do we do the things we do....?

Explaining behavior less abstractly may give you more control over your life. "We are very good at finding reasons for what we do, but not very good at doing what we have reasons for....

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Ezekiel's Gift

God gave Ezekiel a tremendous and ominous calling to confront His people about their sin. "Son of man," He told the prophet, " cause Jerusalem to know her abominations" (Ezek. 16:2; 20:4; 22:2; 23:36). A tough calling! Even so, at times He will call us to do the same thing. So how can we manage it effectively? How can I confront a believer who has fallen spiritually?

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Ezekiel 1:1

1:1-...the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.

   Ezekiel did not choose to see "visions of God"; God took the initiative:"...prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit: (2 Pet. 1:21).

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Ezekiel and some of lifes principles

The awareness of God's presence energizes us for our work. See Ezekiel 2:3-8

To walk in the Spirit is to obey the initial promptings of the Spirit. See Ezekiel 3:24

Whatever you acquire outside of God's will eventually turns to ashes. See Ezekiel 25:6,7

The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us. See Ezekiel 43:6-9

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