biblios magazine // the book of ezekiel

7/29/2019 Biblios magazine // The Book of Ezekiel

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Ezekiel
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Te book of Ezekiel

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3.03.

Introduction

01 What is it about?

02 What are the major themes and ideas?03 Why should I read it?

Voices

Te book of Ezekiel

Te book of Ezekiel

Biblios.org.uk / February 2012
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04.

Introduction

All of the Old Testament prophets spoke radical words, but

Ezekiel in particular is noted for his strange, unorthodox life

which embodied his prophetic messages. Even among its

original Jewish audience, concerned rabbis would sometimesnot allow someone to read Ezekiel until they were thirty years

old because of its unusual content. Perhaps this was because

of the extremes of Ezekiels behaviour recorded throughout the

book? Possibly the sexual references were too provocative for

anyone younger?

Whatever its challenges, Ezekiel is a powerful and important

book for todays church. It originally spoke to a people who

were at a critical turning point in history, a people who facedjudgement but were promised restoration. It still speaks today

to a world that will experience judgement but is promised

restoration.

Hugh Grifths

LifePoint Church

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Te book of Ezekiel

Biblios.org.uk / February 201205.

... a careully craed book that islled with rich meaning, portraying

historical and spiritual realitiesusing antastic and symbolic images

and ideas

Ezekiel is one of the bibles three

major prophets, so called because

of the length of the book. Like Isaiah

and Jeremiah, it is signicantly longer

than the minor prophets recorded in

Scripture.

Its 1,273 verses are set out in 48

chapters that together form an

anthology that describes Ezekiels many

visions, messages and prophetic acts.

It is a carefully crafted book that is lled

with rich meaning, portraying historical

and spiritual realities using fantastic and

symbolic images and ideas.

Author

Although fantastic and visionary there

is no doubt that Ezekiel otherwse led

a normal life and he was certainly not

a reclusive mystic. The bible shows us

that this prophet was a priest who had

both a wife (24: 15-18) and a house

(8: 1). Like the prophet Daniel, he was

writing from exile. Five years previously

(1: 2) Ezekiel had been taken from

Judah and deported to Bablyonia and

resettled within this foreign empire with

with 10,000 of his countrymen (2 Kings

24: 14).

His name means may God strengthen,

an indication of the difcult times he

was called to minister into. He brought

challenging and uncompromising

messages to a people who had already

faced a forced relocation imposed by a

foreign army of pagan invaders.

Background

Ezekiel lived in the sixth-century BC,

a time of international conict when

several great empires clashed and

fought for dominance. The major themeof the book reects that - it speaks of

a nation scattered into exile and then

gathered or restored. This is summed

up in chapter 11 where God is explicit

about what has happened:

Tus says the Lord GOD: Tough Iremoved them ar o among the nations,and though I scattered them among thecountries, yet I have been a sanctuary tothem or a while in the countries where

they have gone. Tereore say, Tus saysthe Lord GOD: I will gather you omthe peoples and assemble you out o thecountries where you have been scattered,and I will give you the land o Israel.

Ezekiel 11: 16-17

Outline

The promised exile and restoration of

the nation is reected in the overall

pattern of the book of Ezekiel that is

structured around this dual-theme.

Part 1

Opening visions and Ezekiels call (1-3)

The present judgement (4-24)

Part 2

The promised restoration (25-39)

Closing visions (40-48)

What is Ezekiel about?

01.


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Te book of Ezekiel


The message of the rst half of the book(chapters 1-24) tells us that although

thousands were already exiled, the full

measure of divine judgement was not

yet complete. Contrary to the false

prophets who were predicting a swift

return to Jerusalem, Ezekiel foresaw

the destruction of the city because of

the sins of the people and its rulers

and priests. Rather than being able

to console those who were in exile

with him with messages of immediate

restoration, instead Ezekiels visions

portrayed the glory of God leaving

both the temple (10: 18) and city of

Jerusalem (11: 23).

This message of judgement peaks in

chapter 24, the major turning point in

Ezekiels ministry and also in the book

that records his message. Here God

reveals to Ezekiel that Nebuchadnezzar,

king of Bablyon, had laid siege to

Jerusalem (24:2). Gods judgement

against Israel was to culminate with the

complete destruction of the city. Thesymbolic importance of this event was

reected in the parable of the cooking

pot shared by Ezekiel (24: 3-14) and,

sadly, by the death of his wife (24: 15ff)

whose loss he could not mourn.

This tragic moment moves us into the

second half of the book (chapters 25 -

48) that speak of restoration and hope

rather than judgement and destruction.

The godless nations that were once

an instrument in the hands of God to

humble Israel, are now themselves

subject to his anger (25-32).

In line with this shift of emphasis,Ezekiel himself is recommissioned as

a prophetic watchman to the nation

(33). Further powerful visions such

as the valley of bones (37: 1-14) that

anticipates Gods power to rebuild a

people, to birth spiritual life from death

and build a new community in whom

there is a new heart and a new spirit

(36: 26). Ezekiels earlier visions of a

temple corrupted by sin and abandoned

by God are replaced by detailed and

inspiring visions of a new temple

overowing with His glory (40-47).

Throughout Ezekiel portrays a powerful

God whose sovereignty stretches over

the whole world. Though focussed on

Israel, we see that His concern is not for

a single geographically dened nation.

Instead, God is looking for a people

who love him, know him and obey him.

Ezekiels time and message

demonstrate that nothing is more

important than faithfulness to God. Eventhe powerful sway of places of worship,

the priority of geographical locations

and the privilege of certain national or

religious identities will be swept away.


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Te book of Ezekiel


Ezekiels visions, propehticmessages and personal history

are intertwined

Because of its length, subject matter

and mixture of styles Ezekiel can be

a challenging book to understand.

Ezekiels visions, prophetic messages

and personal history are all intertwined.

His remarkable use of symbolism andvivid imagery sometimes make things

less than straightforward.

The powerful mix of styles combines to

convey the central theme of judgement

against a sinful people but a promised

restoration. Keeping this idea in mind

as you explore Ezekiels many visions,

allegories and demonstrations will help

you get to grips with one of the most

fascinating books of the Old Testament.

Visions and symbols

Many of the chapters contain writing

lled with unusual pictures and

strange happenings, such as the

one recorded in the opening chapter.

These descriptions reach deep into our

imagination and are intended to carry

rich meaning that cannot otherwise be

put into words. Like much of the book

of Revelation in the New Testament,

Ezekiel uses symbolism rather than

literal descriptions to communicate the

truth he wants to convey.

These include the:

vision of God and the cherubim (1: 4)

vision of the scroll (2:9)

vision of glory (3: 22)

vision of sin in Jerusalem (8:1)

vision of dry bones (37: 1)

vision of a new temple (40: 1)

Symbolic acts

On many occasions, Ezekiels own

life and actions were also symbolic.

God called him to do some very

unusual things in order to more

powerfully communicate the prophetic

word that he carried. Each of these

demonstrations was designed to arrest

the attention and communicate Gods

word with dynamic intensity.

Crafting a brick symbolising Jerusalems

siege and capture (4: 1-3)

Lying down on one side and eating

limited rations to demonstrate the

ordeals of captivity (4: 4-8)

Cutting of his hair and beard with a

razor and a sword to show Jerusalems

destruction (5: 1-17)

Moving out from his home as an exile to

show what would come to those living

in Jerusalem (12: 1-7, 17-20)

Wielding a sharpened sword to show

impending judgement that would fall

through Babylon (21: 1-23)

Not mourning the death of his wife to

show Jerusalems lack of repentance

(24: 15-27)

Writing on and joining of two sticks to

symbolise Gods future restoration of

the nation (37: 15-17)

What are the majorthemes and ideas?02.


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Te book of Ezekiel


Gods glory and holiness

These dramatic words and images

convey one of the most important

themes in the book - that God alone is

absolutely sovereign. This is conveyed

by one of the signature phrases of

Ezekiel - know that I am the Lord

- which occurs more than 60 times

throughout the book.

Appearing consistently alongside

each message of judgement, this

repeated phrase provides a clear and

unambiguous statement of the divine

purpose. As a last resort, judgement

was coming against Jerusalem to

demonstrate that God was sovereign

and that he would not tolerate the sin

and idolatry of an unrepentant people.

Equally, this sovereignty would

be demonstrated by their future

deliverance from their exile and captivity

in Bablyon.

Tey shall know that I am the Lord, wheI break the bars o their yoke, and deliverthem om the hand o those who enslavedthem.

Ezekiel 34: 27

In this context, we see that Gods

purpose in allowing or even sending

trials and challenges is to bring

restoration and hope, to turn people

and ultimately the nations towards him.

The Holy Spirit

The work of the Holy Spirit is perhaps

more evident in Ezekiel than in any other

Old Testament book. He frequently

encounters the of Spirit of God - not

just in providing him with the words to

speak, but also transporting him and

unveiling powerful visions (3: 14, 11: 5).

As well as the example of his personalencounters, Ezekiels prophecy in

chapter 36 together with the vision of

the dry bones in chapter 37 give us

the clearest revelation of the work and

power of the Holy Spirit in the whole

of the Old Testament. It shows the

dramatic life-giving power of the Spirit

and, importantly, that the Spirit would

be within the believer rather than an

external force.

I will give you a new heart, and a new spiritI will put within you. And I will remove the

heart o stone om your fesh and give you

a heart o fesh. And I will put my Spirit

witin you, and cause you to wlak in my

statutes and be careul to obey my rules.

Ezekiel 36: 26-27

The Son o Man

Ezekiel is regularly addressed as son of

man. Out of the 100 or so uses of thephrase in the Old Testament, 93 occur

in this book. Although there is some

debate about the precise signicance of

the title, it is interesting that the gospels

show us that son of man was the main

way that Jesus described himself (more

than 80 times in the gospels).

At a basic level, son of man simply

expresses humanity. However, the

repeated use of this name also

establishes a powerful connection

between Ezekiel and Christ. Both

were prophets and both spoke of

the destruction of Jerusalem and the

coming restoration of the kingdom of

God. The son of man identied Christ

as the last Adam who brings life and

redemption compared to the rst

Adam whose sin brought death into the

world (1 Cor. 15: 45).


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Te book of Ezekiel


I we want to unction in propheticgiing , we rst need to encounter

God privately and personally

Why should I read thebook of Ezekiel?03.Ezekiel is lled with intriguing visions

and symbols and it would be easy to

get caught up in these details. However,

here are some of the bigger themes that

show why the book is important and

how we can apply it today.

Gods mission in and to the nations

Although the focus of Ezekiels message

was Jerusulem, it is clear that Gods

heart is for the world and not just one

ethnic group. The repeated motif that

you/they will know that I am the Lord

signals a clear intention towards Israel

and to the other peoples of the world.

This is most obvious in chapters 25-32

where the phrase is repeated 15 timesin connection with non-Jewish nations.

This was not a new idea since God

had spoken it in the past. However, it

powerfully anticipates Jesus mission:

Go thereore & make disciples o all nations

Matthew 28: 18-19

Ezekiel lets us know that God wants

every nation to acknowledge him as

Lord - this was at the time of exile; it

was also clear at the time of the exodus

(Exodus 14: 18, Joshua 4: 24) and

would be evident at the conclusion of

Christs ministry on earth.

You will receive power when the Holy Spirithas come upon you, and you will be mywitnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judeaand Samaria and to the end o the earth.

Acts 1:8

Prophetic ministry

Ezekiel provides more insight into the

operation of prophetic ministry than

any other writer in the bible. As well as

reading the messages that he spoke,we see the operation of the Holy Spirit

in and through his own life.

Frequently he records that the word

of the Lord came to me (nearly 50

times) and that the hand of the Lord

was upon me (seven times). Both

indicate that his ministry was fuelled

by a powerful spiritual anointing. God

did not just provide him with words to

speak, but empowered him and inspired

him rst. This is so evident in the

opening two chapters when Ezekiels

call to speak as a prophet was initiated

rst with an incredible vision of Gods

glory. Similarly, if we want to function

in prophetic gifting we rst need to

encounter God privately and personally.

Any public ministry can only ow from

our personal knowledge and experience

of God.

We are witnesses to these things, and so isthe Holy Spirit, whom God has given to

those who obey him.

Acts 5:32

Living out the word o God

A key part of that personal knowledge

and experience of God is let Gods word

shape us and change us. Ezekiel didnt

just speak out the word of God, he

was commanded to demonstrate and

embody it in radical obedience. Time

1. The specic references

in these chapters are:

25:5, 7, 11, 14, 17; 26:6;

28:22-23; 29:6, 9, 16,

21; 30:8, 19, 25-26;

32:15.

2. the goal for nations

is specied at three

major nodal points

in salvation history:

exodus, exile, and the

Christ-event

Elmer Martens


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Te book of Ezekiel


and again, before saying anything, heembodied the prophetic message in his

daily life and before the people he was

to speak to.

These were often very dramatic and

confrontational acts but the principle

applies to us too. Our lives should be

characterised by obedience to Gods

word and living out what he has spoken

to us becomes in itself a prophetic act

that can speak to the world around us.

Sometimes this will call for radical

or unusual actions, perhaps making

decisions about lifestyle or choices that

the world will nd surprising or even

shocking. But unless we are the words

we carry, the gospel will seem hollow

and empty.

But the one who loos into the perect law,the law o liberty, and perseveres, being nohearer who orgets but a doer who acts, hewill be blessed in his doing.

James 1: 25

The Scriptures

This principle of embodying the word

of God is pictured with simplicity and

strength in Ezekiel 3. The prophet was

not only to hear the words he was to

live by and speak, he was commanded

to eat this scroll, to take into himself a

written copy of those words.

Eat this scroll and go, speak to the house oIsrael.

Ezekiel 3: 1

This provides another important insight

into prophetic Christian living and

speaking - it depends upon us reading

and studying the bible, our scroll of

Gods word. The image and vision

does not teach us about the format

for the Bible - it could be a scroll, a

book, a Kindle or an iPad - it teachesus to let the written word of God feed

us and ll us. As well as the place ofthe Holy Spirit, we see in Ezekiel our

fundamental need for the Scriptures as

a non-optional part of our daily life.

No compromise

The drama of Ezekiels life, his

unquestioning obedience to Gods

leadings and the directness of his

message all communicate a vital theme

- there can be no compromise with

God. There is only one God and there

is no room for another or for any other

thing to take his place in lives or in our

worship.

This is a valuable reminder, particularly

because we live in a culture that values

pluralism and seeks to make every

religion, lifestyle and worldview of equal

value in society. Idolatry can be subtle

as well as crude - the lure of money,

sex, power or many other things can so

easily displace or diminish our love for

God.

Tus says the Lord God; Go serve every oneo you his idols, now and hereaer, i youwill not listen to me; but my holy name youshall no more proane with your gist andyour idols

Ezekiel 20: 39

In these surprising words Ezekiel lays

down a clear choice - ultimately there

must be a decision in our lives and

hearts. We cannot serve God and..

anything else! (Matthew 6: 24).

In no uncertain terms, the message

of Ezekiel calls us to a life that is

transformed and energised by the

Holy Spirit, shaped and guided by the

Scriptures and stands in uncomprised

commitment to the God.


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Te book of Ezekiel


Voices

(Ezekiel) combined in a unique way the

priests sense of the holiness of God,

the prophets sense of the message

that had been entrusted to him, and the

pastors sense of responsibility for his

people

John B. aylor1

In chapter 1 God has brought together

in one vision the essence of all that was

to occupy Ezekiel, just as is found in

the initial vision of the Apostle John in

Revelation

... This incomparable prophecy began

with a vision of the glory of the Lord in

the gloried city of Jerusalem. Ezekielconcluded, as John in the Revelation,

with Gods dwelling with man in

holiness and glory. Beyond this there

is no greater goal of history and Gods

dealings with man.

Charles L. Feinburg2

(Ezekiel) the prophet is not required

simply to speak the word, but to

embody it. This can be seen from the

fact that the prophet actually swallows

the scroll (2: 8- 3: 3). The word does

not remain external to him, but is

internalised within him

James Robson3

The instruction provided by the

prophets concerning Gods activity in

the world is both rich and complex.

Ezekiel has served as the model teacher

in this regard, for he not only spoke

of the power of the spirit but alsoembodied it in his own person.

Daniel I. Block4

Ezekiels vision of the restoration

included a glorious temple. He foresaw

a time when the presence of God

in the midst of his people was so

overwhelming that under the form of a

vision he could only describe it in terms

of size and splendour.

Ray Dillard5

Ezekiel sees beyond the physical

restoration of the people of Judah to

their little territory round Jerusalem.

Like the other prophets, he saw an even

deeper restoration of the people of

God to himself, and also saw that that

required an even deeper work of grace

in the hearts and wills of the people.

... They needed a heart transplant.

In fact, they needed nothing short of

resurrection. And both would be the

work of the coming Spirit of God.

Christopher J. H. Wright6

6. Knowing the Holy

Spirit through the OldTestament (Monarch

Books, 2006)

1. Ezekiel: An

Introduction and

Commentary

(Intervarsity, 1969)

2. The Prophecy of

Ezekiel: The Glory of

the Lord

(Moody Press, 1969)

3. Word and Spirit in

Ezekiel

(T&T Clark, 2006)

4. The Prophet of

the Spirit (Journal

of the Evangelical

Theological Society,

March , 1989)

5. An Introduction to the

Old Testament

(Apollos, 1995)


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Te book of Ezekiel

Biblios / February 2012

Biblios is produced by Hugh Grifths. He has been active

in a range of church leadership roles for more than 20

years, most recently serving as an elder of LifePoint Church,

Swansea. He has regularly preached and taught here in the

UK as well as ministered overseas in Europe and India.

For more information on how Biblios can be used in your

church contact:[email protected]

Unless stated otherwise, Bible

quotations are from the English

Standard Version (ESV) and are used

by permission of the publishers.

Cover image by Alyssa Jiosa

Bones (used with permission)

http://alyssajiosa.tumblr.com/

can these bones live?

Ezekiel 37: 3

This issue:

WriterHugh Grifths

Editorial reviewers

Mick Walford

David Lavery

Biblios is written, edited and reviewed by a team of church

leaders and bible teachers with proven ministries who work

together to communicate each subject with one voice. We

are passionately committed to providing you with a growing

library of resources to support your bible study or teaching.
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