Ezekiel continues our study of the Babylonian captivity that began in Jeremiah. He was the prophet among the captives, while Daniel was in the royal court. Take time to look at the chart of the chronology of the kings of this period. He was taken captive along with Jehoichin (II Kings 14:14). In the fifth year of his captivity, when he was thirty years old, he received the call to the prophetic office. (Ezekiel 1:1) The first prophecies, comprising almost half the book, were delivered before the final collapse of Jerusalem. Although he spoke his words in the conqueror’s capital, seven hundred miles from Jerusalem, they help us understand what was taking place in the last terrible years of Zedekiah’s reign. His entire ministry took place on the River Chebar and in his own house. The River Chebar was an irrigation canal that brought the water of the Euphrates in a loop southeastwards from Babylon. It was extremely fertile land. Ezekiel is undoubtedly the strangest of prophets. Some liberals labeled him “the mad prophet.” His writings are full of strange visions, accounts of his odd symbolic actions, his dumbness (except for the words that Yahweh gave him), and his trance-like visits to Jerusalem, where he saw what was taking place in the Temple. But from all his writings, there emerges a picture of a man in complete control of his actions, with his whole person zealous for his God — certainly not a madman. In reading Ezekiel, keep in mind all that Jeremiah said, for the two men would undoubtedly have been aware of each other.
OUTLINE OF EZEKIEL
EZEKIEL’S COMMISSION AND FIRST MESSAGES 1:1 – 5L17
Introduction 1:1-3 Vision of the Glory of God 1:4-28 In seeking to understand this vision, the student must put himself in Ezekiel’s position, seeing it as he saw it. Do not try to understand its details, but feel his awe of beholding the Glory of Yahweh, and his struggles to express it in earth language. The captivity had shaken the faith of captive Israelites. “What had happened to Yahweh?” was their question. Among the ancients it was believed that the fate of their god hung on the fate of his worshippers. It looked as if Yahweh had been conquered by Marduk, the god of Babylon, and all His promises fallen to pieces. It was also currently believed that a god resided in the land where he was worshipped. This meant that Yahweh was still in Jerusalem, and the captives separated from Him in Babylon. They believed that the god was “connected” to those who worshipped him. In that context, consider the visions of Daniel and Ezekiel. The Glory of God was present with the captives in Babylon. He was not defeated by the gods of Babylon, nor were His promises forgotten. He sat in His high throne carrying out His purposes and covenant, and in no way put off by the sin of His people. He would achieve His will not because of them, but because of His Name. (36:16-21) If we can feel what Ezekiel saw, we will realize the unutterably splendid Glory of God, a mystery beyond description –superhuman, supernatural, omnipresent, and omniscient. Ezekiel is not expounding the doctrine of Yahweh, but reporting on an overwhelming encounter with Him. Ezekiel is commissioned as Yahweh’s spokesman 2:1 – 3:27 Four enacted messages 4:1 – 5:17 The siege of Jerusalem 4:1-3 The length of punishment 4:4-8 The famine conditions in Jerusalem 4:9-17 The fate of those left in Jerusalem 5:1-17
- The captives will not accept the fact of Jerusalem’s coming fall.
PROPHECIES OF JUDGMENT 6:1 – 7:27
Against mountains of Israel 6:1-14 The mountains are named because it was here that the Baal gods were worshipped. The end has come 7:1-27 Shocking words to captives who believed Jerusalem could not fall.
VISITS TO JERUSALEM 8:1 – 11:25
In spirit Ezekiel is transported to the temple and watches the idolatry taking place. These visions give an idea of the depths to which the people had sunk in the reign of Zedekiah. The idolatry described 8:1-18 Vs. 5,7 The image of jealousy refers to a wooden image of Asherah. Compare II Kings 21:7 Vs. 7-13 Animal worship taken from Egyptian, Canaanite and Babylonian religions. Vs. 12 suggests each leader had a private temple in his own house. Vs. 14,15 Tammuz, one of the rituals derived from Nimrod. It was linked to the Greek Adonis and Aphrodite, and also to the pagan celebration of Easter. The god is said to have died (hence, the weeping), but rises again in the spring. Vs. 16-18 The crowning abomination was sun worship taking place at the door of the Temple. Compare II Kings 23:11. Vs. 17 is better translated, “they put a stink on my nose.” The executioners sent to the city 9:1-11 Glory of the Lord departs the city. 10:1-22 Ezekiel’s prophecy while in the trance. 11:1-13 Messages of hope to the exiles 11:14-25 The captives had been scorned by those left in Jerusalem, as the forsaken of God, now living on heathen soil. Not so, says the prophet; the future of Israel is with the exiles.
PROPHECIES OF THE SINS OF JUDAH AND ISRAEL 12:1 – 24:27
The captives object to Ezekiel — how could the city of God’s covenant people ever fall to a heathen kingdom? In these chapters, Ezekiel answers their objection. Enacted Messages 12:1-20 Going into exile 12:1-16. This was dramatically fulfilled in the final actions of Zedekiah. The terror of the people left in Jerusalem. 12:17-20 THE PROBLEM OF TRUE AND FALSE PROPHECY. 12:21 – 14:11 Slogans that dulled what God said 12:21-28. They said “Talk, talk, but nothing ever happens,” or “Maybe true enough, but not in our lifetime.” Believing the slogans, they avoided God’s word. False prophets condemned 13:1-23. There were scores of self-styled prophets who said what the people wanted to hear. A prophet who gave an alleged word from Yahweh to an idolater declared himself false. 14:1-11. Reasons for Judgment 14:12 – 24:27 A few righteous will not spare the city. 14:12-23 Parable of the vine 15:1-8. Compare Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 2:21; Hosea 10:1. The captives must understand that Judah/Israel is not Yahweh’s indestructible vine. Jerusalem, the faithless 16:1-1-63. Ezekiel told his parable in disgusting, ugly language to shock the people into awareness of their disgusting, ugly sin. Note: Restoration and forgiveness, vs. 53-56. Parable of eagles 17:1-21. Compare Zedekiah’s action with Egypt. Parable of the cedar 17:22-24. Yahweh says He will take the topmost twig of the cedar tree (Israel), i.e., He will take the kingly line of David and replant, and to it shall flock all kinds of birds (nations). This is fulfilled in Jesus, in whom the new Israel, filled with people of all nations, finds its being. Every man is responsible to God for his own sins, not his father’s. 18:1-32 A poem of lament over the last kings of Judah. 19:1-14. The student should read it carefully. vs. 2-4 speaks of Jehoaz, vs. 5-9 of Jehoichin and vs. 10-14 of Zedekiah. Israel’s continual rebellion and God’s future plans speak of the Church. (20:40-44) Judgment by fire and by sword. 20:45 – 21:32. The defiling of Jerusalem 22:1-31. Oholah and Oholiab 23:1-49. The chapter should be read: Vs 1-10, Vs 11-21, vs. 22-35, vs. 36-49. Compare chapter 16 (see 3c. above). The two sisters represent Samaria and Jerusalem. The rusty cauldron 24:1-14. The climax of the last twelve chapters. Ezekiel notes the date, for on that day the siege he has spoken of begins. Spoken seven hundred miles from Jerusalem, this date was not confirmed for months. Compare II Kings 25:1; Jeremiah 52:4; Zechariah 8:19. The death of Ezekiel’s wife 24:15-24. As Ezekiel was forbidden to weep, so when Jerusalem, the dearest love of the captives, would be taken away, they would not weep, but be dumb before a disaster so complete. Note well: vs. 25-27. Their grief would be the vindication of Ezekiel’s words. The second section of Ezekiel has some very difficult parts to understand. It also has some of the most exciting prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the kingdom that would come in Christ.
PROPHECIES AGAINST THE NATIONS 25:1 – 32:28
FALL OF JERUSALEM AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. 33:1 – 37:28
The duties of the watchman restated. 33:1-20 The repeating of this suggests a new phase in Ezekiel’s ministry. Up until now the prophecy has been concerned with Jerusalem’s past and present; now it is concerned with the future. The Fall of Jerusalem. 33:21-33 At last the news of Jerusalem’s fall reaches Babylon. Verses 23-29 are addressed to the few remaining in Judah. (Compare Jeremiah 52:16 for who they were.) Believing the captives to be cast off from Yahweh, they claimed the land for their own. If Abraham was one man and could claim the land, surely we the minority can! Vs. 30-33. The captives now listen to Ezekiel and praise him because his words have come true. Their praise was shallow. The Coming Shepherd. 34:1-31 Leaders of the people were often called shepherds. Isaiah 44:28; 63:11; Jeremiah 2:8; 10:32; 23:1-6; 25:34-38; Micah 5:4,5; Zechariah 11:4-17; Psalm 78:70. The idea is of a king who loves and cares for his people as a shepherd for his sheep. A searing attack on existing leadership (vs. 1-10) prepares for the promises of a good Shepherd (vs. 11-16). Yahweh will be the Shepherd of His people. Note well the enormous significance of Luke 15:4ff, and John 10. The entire section becomes a picture of the Messiah Shepherd and His Church in peace and joy. Vs. 17-22. Attention is turned from the character of the Shepherd to His flock. Not only bad leadership will be banished, but also those Israelites who were not true Israelites. A purified flock is seen without the oppression of greedy shepherds. Vs. 23, 24. The Shepherd, already seen as Yahweh, is now seen as an ideal David — the man in whom God delights. At this time, read Ezekiel 37:24 ff. Vs. 25-31. All enemies of the Shepherd are banished under the Shepherd. Compare Leviticus 26:6. A covenant of peace (Hebrew: Shalom) means the presence of harmony when the covenant relationships are all functioning and its obligations being fulfilled. This again speaks of the Church functioning under the new covenant. Edom’s Downfall 35:1-15. They were Israel’s bitterest enemies. Land Restored and People Transformed 36:1-38 Vs. 1-15 were fulfilled when they returned from captivity. Vs. 16-32 could be the most important verses in the book and should be thoroughly studied. These words must be the most humiliating to the sinner. There is nothing in the sinner that calls forth any action from God. He only deserves judgment. Any action God takes will be because of who He is, revealed in His Name. Only in this context can we understand grace. Compare Romans 5:8. We are God’s enemies, with no claim upon Him and helpless to change. But because of who HE is, He acts in salvation and so declares His Name. Compare Ephesians 3:10,11. This was to be fulfilled in:
- A physical return to the land (vs. 24); and
- A moral and spiritual change, washing them from the defilement of
The Holy Spirit is the mark of the age of Messiah. Isaiah 42:1; 44:3; 59:21; Joel 2:28. Ezekiel sees the restoration of Israel as the giving of the Spirit, i.e. the Messianic kingdom (vs. 28,29), the enjoyment of the new covenant given in terms that Israel could readily understand. Vs. 31,32. Salvation sets forth what kind of God He is. The sight of this grace brings about repentance. Vs. 33-36. The objects of grace are the wonder of the surrounding nations. Reborn Israel 37:1-28 The bones represent Israel in exile. At this time they have been in Babylon for ten years and all hope of return has been extinguished. Ezekiel sees that the Israel finally restored would be al regenerated one, brought again from the dead. Read the interpretation Jesus gives in John 3:1-10, concerning this chapter. The Two Sticks 37:15-28 The future of Israel would not be divided but united under the David-Shepherd-Messiah, enjoying the everlasting covenant with the Glory of God in their midst. This is the Church, one in Christ. See Galatians 3:28, 29.
PROPHECY AGAINST GOG. 38:1 – 39:29
The language of this chapter is highly symbolical, deliberately shadowy and at times cryptic. The details are vague, but its main message is clearly and boldly expressed. We cannot read into this a literal interpretation. Gog is not to be understood as a person, but rather as the personified head of the forces of evil intent upon destroying Israel of God. God gathers them together and destroys them. The presence of the number seven reminds us its symbolism. This chapter has some direct connections to the Book Revelation.
THE PLANS FOR THE NEW TEMPLE 40:1 – 48:35
The vision is of Yahweh returning to dwell in the midst of His covenant people now restored. Compare 43:5 with 8:1 – 11:25. These chapters are to be understood as a set of blueprints given for the rebuilding of the Temple upon their return (43:10). Compare Exodus 25 – 30; I Chronicles 28:11-19. Out from that Temple would one day flow the river of life (47:1-12). Compare John 7:37 and Acts 2:1ff. It was out of the Temple of the Return, further embellished by Herod, that the Spirit of God flowed, bringing Life to the world.