The Book of Ezekiel
Introduction:
“Ezekiel was carried away to Babylon between the first and final deportation of Judah (2 Kings 24:11-16). Like Daniel and the Apostle John, he prophesied out of the land, and his prophecy, like theirs, follows the method of symbol and vision. Unlike the pre-exilic prophets, whose ministry was primarily to either Judah or the ten-tribe kingdom, Ezekiel is the voice of Jehovah to “the whole house of Israel.”
Speaking broadly, the Purpose of his ministry is to keep before the generation born in exile the national sins which had brought Israel so low (e.g. Ezekiel 14:23);
? To sustain the faith of the exiles by predictions of national restoration,
? Of the execution of justice upon their oppressors,
? And of national glory under the Davidic monarchy.
Ezekiel is in seven great prophetic strains indicated by the expression, “The hand of the Lord was upon me.” Ezekiel 1:3; 3:14, 22; 8:1; 33:22; 37:1; 40:1.” —Scofield.
This prophet was a priest, Ezekiel 1:3, The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.
“The visions he saw are very abstruse and difficult of interpretation, especially the vision of the living creatures and wheels. This book, in general, contains various visions the prophet saw; several threatenings against the people of the Jews; and prophecies against other nations; and an abundance of comfortable promises of the Messiah, and of blessings of grace by him; and of the state and condition of the Gospel church, and the worship of it.” — John Gill’s Expositor.
A Brief Summary of the Book:
I. The preparation and Call of the Prophet, Ezekiel 1:1-3:27.
1) A priest, Ezekiel 1:3.
2) Carried away captive to Babylon, Ezekiel 1:1; 2 Kings 24:11-16.
3) His vision of God, Ezekiel 1.
4) His Call, Ezekiel 1:3.
5) His Commission and Endowment, Ezekiel 2:1–3:27.
6) Spiritual Food, the roll of the Word of God, Ezekiel 3:1-3; cf. Revelation 10:10. The common form of ancient books.
7) His Task, a Spiritual Watchman, Ezekiel 3:4-11, 17-21.
8) Ezekiel claims the highest degree of Inspiration. The words “Thus saith Jehovah” are reiterated over and over again throughout the entire book.
Key Note: “I am Jehovah.”
II. A portrayal of the apostate condition of Judah before the captivity.
1) Largely visions, warnings and predictions concerning the guilt of the people and the coming destruction of Jerusalem, Ezekiel 4:1–24:27.
2) Divine judgments upon the Seven Surrounding Nations, Ezekiel 25:1–32:32.
III. Chiefly Predictions and Promises concerning the means by which the glory of the nations is to be restored, Ezekiel 33:1–48:35.
1) By Heeding the Warnings of the Spiritual Watchmen, and repenting of Sin, Ezekiel 33.
2) By displacing the False Shepherds, and the coming of the Good Shepherd, who will feed the flock, Ezekiel 34.
3) By a National Revival, and a Spiritual Resurrection in the Valley of Dry Bones, Ezekiel 36:1–37:28.
4) By the Overthrow of the Enemies of the Nation, Ezekiel 38:1–39:29.
5) By the Building of a New Sanctuary, Ezekiel 40:1–42:20.
6) By the returning of the Glory of the Lord, Ezekiel 43:4-5; 44:4.
7) By the Ministry of a Loyal Priesthood, Ezekiel 44:9-31.
8) By Life-giving Waters issuing from the Sanctuary, Ezekiel 47; cf. Revelation 22:1-2, And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
IV. Outstanding Events in the book
1) The Departure of the Glory of the Lord from the Temple, Ezekiel 10:16-18; 11:23.
2) The Fall of Jerusalem, Ezekiel 33:21.
3) The Return of the Shekinah Prophesied, Ezekiel 44:4.
Choice Selections:
1) The New Heart, Ezekiel 11:19, “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:” Ezekiel 36:25-28.
2) Personal Responsibility, Ezekiel 18:20-32.
3) Untempered Mortar, Ezekiel 13:10-15. See John Gill’s Expositor.
4) The Search for a Man of Integrity, Ezekiel 22:30, “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Compare Jeremiah 5:1, Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it
5) Sentimental Hearers, Ezekiel 33:30-32.
6) Chapters for Ministers:
a. Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, Ezekiel 13;
b. Warn the people, Ezekiel 33;
c. Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ezekiel 34.
7) Revival Chapter, Ezekiel 37.
NOTE: This chapter contains a prophecy of the Jews’ return from captivity to their own land; of the union of the each tribes with one another; and of the glorious kingdom of Christ among them. Their restoration is represented by a vision of dry bones made alive; the place in which they were; the condition they were in; and the manner in which they were made to live, are described, vv. 1-10.