Ezekiel

1.       First Impressions

Ezekiel son of Buzi was called by God during his exile in Babylon to pronounce judgment and tell of Gods restoration to come. He spoke from Babylon to the exiles about the people left in Jerusalem and spoke God’s judgment on surrounding nations. The traditionally accepted author of this book is Ezekiel, the entire book except for 2 verses is written in 1^st person.  Ezekiel is dated well and his 20 year ministry ranges from around 593 B.C to 571 B.C. Ezekiel sees some incredible visions and his life is unique in the way that God uses him as a metaphor to speak to the people. It is apocalyptic literature which has visions, symbolism, enacted symbols and parables.  Through all this God explains that everything that is happening is because of sin and will have the people know that He is God.

Ezekiel starts speaking after the first deportation but before the fall of Jerusalem and then continues with messages of restoration after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.

2.       Theme Tracing

·         What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

Ezekiel clearly shows a lot of God’s character and I have interpreted some of it for myself as well. In Ezekiel’s very first vision he sees a lot! What he sees and describes to us shows much about who God is. God is glorious (1:27), his glory and holiness (1:28) is overwhelming and cannot be comprehended. I think there is much more meaning to this but the four faces reminded me of four of the attributes of God as I associate them with these animals. The ox made me think of serving and God’s servant heart. The man’s face reminded me of how God created man to bear his image. The lion is a symbol of authority and power and God has ultimate authority and all power. I have always seen the eagle as a symbol of freedom and strength and God‘s strong hand can bring freedom. None of this interpretation is God’s character as shown in these scriptures but it reminded me of those traits of God.

In the vision on the wheels we see that God isn’t limited to a place/ building as the people thought he was. He is omnipresent and takes His glory where He wants it. In Ezekiel one can so clearly see God’s hatred for sin and the judgment that comes because of sin. In the judgment of the surrounding nations in chapters 25-29 we see God’s justice in judgment to all according their sins (33:20).

Then over and over again we see this phrase, “Then you/they will know that I am the Lord.” God wants to be known and worshiped for who he is by every person He has created.

·         What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

Ezekiel can be seen as a type of Christ, Jesus often referred to himself as the “son of man” and this phrase is used around ninety times for Ezekiel. In the last chapters concerning the temple, the gathering of people under the “prince”, the Messiah (37:22-28) foreshadows the restored church. Even just the idea of having one prince rather than all the priests and they people coming through the place where he is gives this idea of salvation through Christ. The idea of the inclusion of the gentiles in worship if they are committed found in 44:9.  Ezekiel 21:27 speaks of the one coming who has the right to judge bringing restoration. Ezekiel’s visions of Israel have a messianic dimension. Then just again God’s heart for restoration of his people and wanting them to turn to Him is seen in what he speaks through this prophet Ezekiel.

3.       Application questions

·         Personal application:

The life of Ezekiel and his relationship with God has spoken to me about obedience. Ezekiel did some crazy and seemingly ridiculous things because God told him to. He even trusted God when God let his wife die and told him not to mourn for her. That is hard! I want to be able to trust God in everything that no matter what God asks me to do that I will do it trusting him to bring about whatever he purposed with it. In going home to university, I don’t yet see God’s purposes in what he has asked me to do. I am challenged though to just do it and he will reveal to me his plan with it as I go along.

Ezekiel 36:26 speaks of God taking out a stony, stubborn heart and replacing it with a tender responsive heart. This is my prayer that I will completely surrender to God allowing him to continually soften my heart. Often times I think I have opened my heart to God but over and over again He shows me the areas in which my heart is hard.

·         Point of Passion: 

The phrase “then you/they will know that I am the Lord” is repeated throughout Ezekiel. Most of these times, God says that because of the judgment they will know that He is the Lord. This reminded me of how often people learn through experience. Sometimes good experiences teach us but more often we find that it is the hard times and the mistakes we make that we learn from.  Discipline is so important in teaching because it is through experience that we remember and learn.