What is the purpose of the book of Ezekiel? I am glad you asked.. The whole book covers a 22 year period, 6 years before Jerusalem’s destructions and 16 years after.
- A. “They shall know that I am God” appears 62 times in the book
B. To dispel any hope among the Israelites that the captivity might be short
C. To prove God’s case against Israel, showing the Israelites why they were in captivity.
D. To cause the people to repent of their sins
E. To give hope
Main Outline:
- Ezekiel prepared as a prophet: he was a priest that was called to be a prophet (Ch. 1-3).
Ezekiel predicts Judgment on Kingdom of Judah (Ch. 4-24)
Ezekiel predicts Judgment on Gentile Nations. (Ch. 25-32)
Ezekiel prophecies blessings on the nation of Israel (Ch. 33-48).
Background: After Solomon died then Israel split into two kingdoms (which made them weak and open to attacks-as to why they split that involves more than I can cover here, but think politics):
- 1. Northern Kingdom (10 tribes) known as Israel (even today they are called the 10 lost tribes of Israel, because they never came back together)
2. Southern Kingdom (2 tribes-Judah & Benjamin) known as Judah
Jerusalem---The-Eastern-Gate
First the Northern Kingdom is taken into Assyrian captivity (721 BC). Then Southern tribe (Judah) was the group taken into Babylonian captivity (605 BC). We will get into the “good figs” and “bad figs in Chapter 11, but know the “good figs” are the ones in Babylonian captivity, the “bad figs” are the ones that remained in Israel. The ones in Babylonian captivity are promised a return from exile (Ezekiel 14:22-23). Zedekiah stayed behind to rule over the remnant as the leader of the “bad figs.” (Jeremiah 24:8-10)
Both Kingdoms were not doing right in the site of God and both will be punished, but God in his grace told the people if they go into Babylonian captivity as their punishment then they are promised a return from exile. The ones who remained will be severely punished.
God uses Ezekiel as a prophet to the exiles and the remaining Jews in Jerusalem, although he never actually went there.
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Ezekiel Chapters 1-3
It is a blessing when God speaks to us, but we are responsible to share the good word he does share. We are not to learn and then tuck it away; we need to speak God’s truth.
We begin this study with the Israelites in their 5th year of Babylonian captivity (Ezekiel 1:2). God uses prophet Ezekiel to strike terror into the sinners, and bless the ones who fear God.
FYI: The exiles in Babylonia captivity were not in inhuman conditions. They were able to build houses and live in them. Plant gardens, marry, and have children. While in Babylonia they were relatively free and were not considered slaves. (Jeremiah 29: 5-7)
While in captivity Ezekiel was given a series of visions and was commanded to speak to his fellow captives. Ezekiel was told to speak whether they listened or not (Ezekiel 2:7).
- Ezekiel 1:4–3:15 Vision of four living creatures (Ezekiel 1:10).
1. The first had the face of a man. (possibly representing intelligence)
2. The second had the face of a lion. (possibly representing man as a ruler-strength & boldness)
3. Third the face of an ox. (possibly representing man in his power-diligence & patience)
4. The fourth the face of an eagle. (possibly representing man in his nobility-quickness & piercing sight.)
All four were to represent the Glory of God.
In Ezekiel 2 we see God reached out and handed Ezekiel a scroll (Ezekiel 2:9-10). Here is where he is officially commissioned to deliver God’s message to the House of Israel (currently in Babylonian captivity). In Matthew Henry’s commentary it says, “Gracious souls can receive those truths of God with delight, which speak terror to the wicked.” The same words can have the opposite effect, depending on the state of your heart.
- What the scroll contained:
All four were to represent the Glory of God.
1. “Written words of lament and mourning and woe.”
2. God warned Ezekiel the people would be unyielding and hardened (Ezekiel 3:8).
3. God also said Ezekiel would be held responsible if he did not warn the people of Israel.
God lifted Ezekiel up and took him to the captives near Chebar River, where he sat silent for the next 7 days (Ezekiel 3:15). After God revealed the words of the scroll Ezekiel was so overcome with grief, but also very overwhelmed after seeing the Glory of God.
Has there ever been a time in your life when God spoke a word over you, or blessed you unexpectedly that all you could do was sit there and try to take it all in?
Ezekiel was floored, but he also was deeply grieved because he saw the wrath that was going to come upon the nation he loved.
After the 7 days God told Ezekiel to go out to the valley, where he will speak with him again. God then told Ezekiel that he was going to make him mute until God was ready for him to speak.
What I like about this text was that it was not Ezekiel’s job to make people listen; each individual is responsible for their own response. God only made Ezekiel responsible to say what God told him to say and when he told him to say it.
Have a great Friday and remember you are not responsible for other’s reactions, only responsible to share what God has done in your life.
* In my BlogFrog community I have uploaded a copy of this post along with questions to respond to. This makes it possible to print out this post to read at another time or use it as your devotional. In the BlogFrog community I will try to add some time lines and additional information that you can print out and save. It is my understanding you don’t need to sign-up for the community to be able to print the information out, it is just if you want to leave a comment you need to be signed in (it is free). Feel free to leave comments either here or in the community forum. I look forward to your thoughts.
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