The Prophet Ezekiel Overview An Exiled Prophet & A Message Of Judgment And Hope.

We now come to an overview of the prophet Ezekiel. Pastor Alvis supplied a thorough outline of this book for our church, on May 21, 2023. 

In addition, I taught a lesson on a name of God only found once in the Bible, from Ezekiel. I will incorporate this with Pastor Alvis' outline.  

I hope that this provides each of you with a valuable study tool for understanding this prophet.

There were three waves of Jews being deported to Babylon. The first wave occurred when Daniel, Shadrach and Abednego were take away. 

In 597 BC, Ezekiel was taken away from his homeland in the second wave, and the last wave was in 586 BC (See Ezekiel 40).

Ezekiel was a priest but when the Temple was destroyed, he never practiced as a priest again. God repurposed Ezekiel as one of His prophets.

In addition, Ezekiel was a widower, whose wife passed away in captivity. Her death was a sign to the Jews that God was going to judge their sins and their loved ones would die (See Ezekiel 24:15-23). 

However, while exiled to Babylonia, Ezekiel encountered Jehovah in most dramatic ways. He faithfully loved and served His God. 

Ezekiel prophesied to a disobedient people who were enduring sins' consequences. He served a faithful remnant of Jews in Babylonia amidst their sufferings. 

The prophet saw dazzling visions that he communicated with compelling details. He used parables to drive home specific spiritual truths. He was granted prophecies of future Messianic glory and Israel's restoration. 

90 times Ezekiel is called "son of man" and this is not without significance. "Son of Man" was the favorite name Jesus applied to Himself (32 times in Matthew; 15 times in Mark and 26 times in Luke's gospel). 

Outline for the book of Ezekiel.

Chapters 1-3 contain Ezekiel's commission from Jehovah as a prophet.

Ezekiel 1:1-3  Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. 2)  In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity, 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. 

Ezekiel is very precise in telling us exactly when Jehovah called him to be a prophet. 

The river "chebar" is not a normal river, but one of the man made irrigation canals used by the Babylonians. 

The Chaldeans were the "wise men" who came to Bethlehem when Jesus was born. They were skilled in math and astrology. 

The Chaldeans were absorbed by the Babylonians, and the name can refer to either group of people. 

The phrase "The hand of the LORD" is used more in the book of Ezekiel, than any other prophet of God. 

It reminds us that God had a purpose for this man, and He empowered Ezekiel to do his work. 

The phrase "The word of the LORD" is used more in the book of Ezekiel than any other book of the Bible. 

It reminds us that the scriptures came from God and are our infallible source for what God says to us. What God said to Ezekiel was to guide what he did as a prophet.

Ezekiel 1:26-28  And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. 27)  And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. 28)  As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. 

Ezekiel saw visions of the glory of God. The prophet used the word "likeness" to describe the heavenly visions that Jehovah gave him. 

He also used phrases such as "the appearance of" to describe a vision of heavenly things in human terms. 

The book of Ezekiel uses the words "appearance of" far more than any other Old Testament writer. 

In three verses above, there are 8 references to likeness or appearance, when trying to describe what he saw.  

It means he compared what he saw to earthly things, to the best of his ability. 

Ezekiel used this word more than any other book of the Old Testament (15 times). When he saw the "likeness" of Jehovah's glory, he fell upon his face. 

Falling down before God's glory, happens to every single person in scripture, who saw the glory of God. That is what we would do if we were given a glimpse of our glorious God. 

It is an act of deep reverence and profound awe, that overwhelms us when we behold our God. 

Chapters 4-24 contain details of Judah's judgment from Jehovah. 

Ezekiel 7:1-4  Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2)  Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land. 3)  Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations. 4)  And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 

This is a sample of Ezekiel's prophecies about impending judgment. 

Jehovah spoke of  "My anger" or "My fury" 100 times in Ezekiel.

Jehovah said "I am against thee" 127 times in Ezekiel. 

Jehovah said "I will bring (or send)" judgment 195 times in Ezekiel. 

Words that describe the impact of God's judgment, like "desolate", "lay waste" or "burn" are used 64 times in Ezekiel. 

God spelled out Judah's specific heart by using words like "wickedness" or "rebellious" 57 times. 

He used words like "profaned" or "polluted" 41 times. 

God described Judah's idolatry by using words like "abominations" or "not walking in truth" 59 times. He also used words like "whoredoms", "harlot" or "idols" 83 times.

Ezekiel saw the glory of God leave His holy temple.

Ezekiel 10:3-4  Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court. 4)  Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory.

Ezekiel 10:18-19  Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. 19)  And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD'S house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. 

Ezekiel 11:22-23  Then did the cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. 23)  And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city. 

How saddened Ezekiel must have been to witness the glory of the LORD depart from His temple. He was in the line of priests and was trained to be a priest. 

Yet, after Jerusalem fell, the sacrifices stopped. In captivity, Ezekiel could teach God's truth to the people, but they were unable to offer sacrifices for their sins. 

Chapters 25-32 contain Jehovah's judgment upon Gentile nations. 

Ezekiel 25:12-14  Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them; 13)  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword. 14)  And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD. 

God will hold all nations to account that persecuted or attacked Israel. He will not let them slide by and He will list out their specific sins as He brings judgment upon them.

Much of this judgment is connected with the future, final Day of the LORD judgment.  

Chapters 33-48 focus on Messiah and Israel's restoration. 

Ezekiel 48:31-35  And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi. 32)  And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan. 33)  And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun. 34)  At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali. 35)  It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there. 

Here are the concluding words of the book of Ezekiel. Chapter 48 contains 316 references to the future borders, sides, portions, tribal names, sanctuary, priests, Levites, various measurements, gates and directional orientation of the New Temple in the New Jerusalem of God's kingdom. 

The name of God only found once in the Bible, is Jehovah Shamma. The name of Jerusalem shall be known as Jehovah Shamma, because the LORD is there, from that day forward. 

This divine name reminds us of God's promises to always be "there" with each believer. He will not leave us and abandon us. He will always be there by the side of each child of God. 

1 Kings 9:3  And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

The word "there" refers to the place where Jehovah will dwell with and meet with His redeemed people (See also 1 Kings 11:26; 21:4; 21:7).

The text above is God speaking to King Solomon after the dedicatory prayer for the Temple. 

Jehovah came "there" into this world in Christ Jesus at His humble birth (Matthew 1:34-35).

The fullness of the Godhead is "there" dwelling in Christ bodily (Colossians 2:6-10).

When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, God was "there" in Christ, accomplishing redemption and reconciliation. 

When we turn to Christ with repentant faith and are regenerated by the Spirit of God, we are "there" in Christ, beginning to walk in newness of life as old things pass away (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

Thoughts to Ponder...

As we study through the book of Ezekiel, there are several applications of God's truth that we must think about.

First, God is holy and He expects His people to live holy lives by obeying His Word.

Second, because God is holy our lives must reflect a clear distinction between the sacred things of God and the profane things of secular culture (See 2 Corinthians 6:17). 

Third, we see that Jehovah wants His people to hear and heed His warnings. He wants us to turn to Him with repentance and confession when we sin. He does not want our sinful acts to profane His holy name.

Fourth, our sins diminish the holiness of God and tarnish His glory. Therefore, we must confess and forsake our sins, and God will cleanse us with the blood of Jesus Christ (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:7 to 2:2).

Fifth, we must embrace and rejoice that we are "there" in Christ through the new birth. 

"There" in Christ, we are being made the righteousness of God. 

"There" in Christ, we are no longer under condemnation. 

"There" in Christ, we can never be separated from the love of God. 

The Christian who is "there" in Jesus Christ is no longer a stranger, but an adopted member of God's family, and a part of the habitation of God (Ephesians 2:19-22).

Questions to think about...

Because I am "there" with God in Christ, do I treat my body as a living stone, in the living temple of God?

Am I joyful for the rich blessings I have "there" in Christ?

Am I living in anticipation of reality of being "there" in Christ for eternity? (Revelation 21:3-5; 9-11; 22-23(.

May the LORD of glory show us where we need to change, that we might live for His glory. 

May the Spirit of God open our eyes when we read and study the book of Ezekiel.

Bob