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Survey of Ezekiel

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This survey covers Ezekiel in the Old Testament.

1 – The title of the book

Hebrew text – Ezekiel. His name means either “God strengthens” or “God is strong”.

2 – The author of the book

Ezekiel is a priest (1:3) and he is a prophet. The prophet was a watchman who was to stand up and proclaim coming judgement. The prophet was told to be silent in Ezekiel 3:26, 27 but this was to be a partial dumbness. (CH vs 27) Ezekiel becomes a prophet of signs.

3 – The historical setting

Ezekiel was born in 622 BC and in 621 BC the book of the law was discovered. Ezekiel was a priest. In 597 BC Ezekiel was taken captive to Babylon. In 592 B C Ezekiel started his ministry at the age of thirty and this continued until 570 BC (See Ezekiel 33:21 – The city fell in the year 586 BC).

4 – The theme of the book

It is to demonstrate the sovereign power of the Lord. (See 24:24; 37:13,14).

5 – The structure of the book

  • The denunciation of Judah (Chapters 1 – 24)
    1. The call and commission of the prophet (1-3)
    2. Jerusalem is to be destroyed – 4 signs are shown. (4-7)
    3. The glory departs from Jerusalem. (8 – 11)
    4. The certainty of judgement (12 – 19)
    5. The moral necessity of judgement (20 – 14)
  • Judgments are pronounced upon the nations. (Chapters 25 – 32).
  • The restoration of Israel (Chapters 33 – 40).
    1. Ezekiel is reappointed to be the watchman again (33).
    2. The renewal of Israel (34-37) They are invaded by God and protected (38-39).
    3. Israel enjoys a new life (40-48).

6 – Selected studies from the book

  • Ezekiel chapter one.

In Ezekiel chapter one, Ezekiel sees the glory of God. But in chapter seven the glory of the Lord must depart from Israel and Jerusalem because of the sinfulness of the people. They have worshipped everything except God. In the chapter 9:3 the glory of the Lord removes to the threshold. In chapter 10:18-19 it removes to the east gate the Temple and in chapter 11:22-23 it moves to the Mount of Olives and leaves the land of Palestine altogether.

The glory of the Lord returns only after the regeneration of Israel in chapter 43:2-5. The living creatures in chapter 1 are called cherubim in chapter 10. These beings have four faces; the face of the man pointed forward , the face of an ox and lion pointing to the sides and the face of an eagle pointing back. They had wings with hand underneath. Alongside these beings were wheels. These wheels were like gyroscopes in that they consisted of a wheel within a wheel. The purpose of this wheel was so that it could move rapidly in any direction. Above these beasts (Probably their wing tips) there was a platform (firmament) upon which the throne of God was put. It was made out of every precious stone. On the throne above there sat God. God is depicted here as having fiery lions and fire bursting forth from Him. He is seen as being full of Holiness and judgement.

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Categories: Bible Outline, Ezekiel

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