INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL
Ezekiel, whose name means strengthened by God, is called upon by God, along with Daniel and Jeremiah, to prophecy againstIsraelduring the time of exile (Ezekiel 1:1-2). The first two verses of Chapter One give us the historical context of the book. To understand the tone and message of Ezekiel’s message it is essential to understand how Ezekiel fits into the story of the Old Testament.
The Old Testament breaks down into six natural chronological divisions.
1. Genesis (The time of Genesis begins with the creation of the world and ends with Jacob’s sons inEgypt.) 2. Exodus (The time of Exodus begins with Jacob’s sons inEgyptand ends with Joshua leading the nation ofIsraelin to possess the Promised Land.) 3. Judges (The time of Judges covers the period inIsrael’s history when a variety of judges ruled.) 4. Kings (During the time of Kings, different kings ruledIsrael. Division intoNorthern Kingdom(Israel) and Southern Kingdom (Judah) came afterIsraelhad been united under the reign of Saul, David, and Solomon. TheNorthern Kingdomwas then defeated byAssyriaand carried away captive in 722 BC. The Southern Kingdom was defeated byBabylonand carried away captive in 606 BC.) 5. Exile (The time of Exile covers the nation ofIsrael’s seventy years of exile.) 6. Return (The time of The Return covers the time ofIsrael’s return to their homeland and the time when both the temple andJerusalemwere rebuilt under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah.
The exile had been prophesied as far back as Moses (Deuteronomy 28) and as recently as the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12). Israel’s disobedience culminated in the fact they had failed to keep the Sabbath for the land (II Chronicles 36:21). God had kept track ofIsrael’s failure to let the land rest and had decided to exileIsraelfor seventy years in order that the land finally might have its rest. This is a chilling reminder of the consequences of sin. There is no doubt thatIsraelhad grown accustomed to ignoring the Sabbath for the land. However, God had kept track. God will not ignore sin.
Israelhad temporarily turned to God under the reign of Josiah (640-609 BC). After Josiah was killed by the Egyptian armyIsrael(southern kingdom) plunged back into sin under their four remaining kings).
- Jehoahaz (609 BC)
- Jehoiakim (609-598 BC) – Daniel taken captive during his reign
- Jehoiachin (598-597 BC) – Ezekiel taken captive during his reign
- Zedekiah (597-586 BC) – more of a puppet king under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar
The exile had begun in 606 BC and ended in 536 BC. During those seventy years, both Daniel and Ezekiel were taken captive toBabylon. EventuallyBabylon, under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar, would burn the temple and destroyedJerusalem.
722 BC Northern ten tribes are defeated byAssyria
606 BC though 536 BC Southern tribes ofJudahare defeated byBabylon. Three separate conquests lead to deportation of many Jews along with the final destruction ofJerusalem.
605 BC – (Daniel taken captive)
597 BC – (Ezekiel taken captive)
586 BC – (Jerusalemdestroyed)
539 BCPersiainvades and defeatsBabylon
Ezekiel and his wife are among 10,000 Jews taken into captivity along with king Jehoiachin in 597 BC (II Kings 24:11-18). He is 25 years old when he is taken toBabylon. He is thirty years old when his ministry begins; 592 BC (Ezekiel 1:1). He ministers for twenty-two years (570 BC). Ezekiel and his 10,000 fellow countrymen were more of colonist than captives, being permitted to farm tracts of land under somewhat favorable conditions. Ezekiel even had his own house.
It is important to remember that Ezekiel is already in captivity when he is prophesying to the Jews who have not been taken captive.
TODAY’S READING: EZEKIEL 1-5
OVERVIEW:
Ezekiel receives a vision of God’s glory; Ezekiel receives his commission; Ezekiel is instructed to physically typify the siege and judgment ofJerusalem.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
Ezekiel chapter 1 records one of the most incredible visions in the Word of God. The vision includes four living creatures flying through the air like a flash of lightning, a crystal sea, creatures with multiple eyes and faces ushering in a throne, and an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ. Ezekiel is ushered into the presence of the Lord and sees a glimpse of the Second Advent. Just like Isaiah (Isa. 6:1-8) and the Apostle John (Rev. 4-5), Ezekiel is overwhelmed by the revelation of Christ in all of His glory. Ezekiel’s response will be the response of every person when they see Christ in all of His glory. He falls on his face! What a contrast to the nonchalant way much of Christianity approaches the Lord Jesus Christ! There is no room for pride or selfishness in the presence of God Almighty. One day every knee will bow to the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom.14:11).
Chapters two through three record God’s commission for Ezekiel. He is to prophesy to the nation ofIsraelduring the seventy year exile. Ezekiel paints a picture for every Christian of what it really means to be a witness for Christ. The picture begins with an encounter with Christ. In chapter one, Ezekiel comes face to face with Christ (1:28). However, the encounter didn’t just involve what Ezekiel saw, but also what Ezekiel heard. Speaking in the first person, Ezekiel says, “and I heard a voice of one that spake.” Our effectiveness as a witness for Christ must begin with a daily encounter with Christ. How can we encounter Christ if He doesn’t (and won’t) appear to us in a vision like Ezekiel’s? We encounter Christ by listening to His Word. It is God’s written revelation that gives us a glimpse of Christ in all of His glory!
However, it isn’t enough just to hear God’s words. We must also receive that word in our heart. God instructed Ezekiel, “all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart” (3:10). We must receive God’s words into our heart in such a way that they change the way we think, behave, and live. It is interesting that God tells Ezekiel to receive “all” His words. Over the course of this prophecy, God is going to give Ezekiel some very difficult things to do and say. When it comes to God’s written revelation, we can’t be choosey. Sometimes the Word will be sweet. Sometimes it will be bitter. Sometimes it will comfort and sometimes it will sting. We must receive it all regardless. This also serves as a warning to those who would tamper with the Word of God, and preachers who would fail to teach “all the counsel of God” (Acts20:27).
God then instructs Ezekiel to speak His words (2:7,3:23-27). Ezekiel spoke as a prophet of God when he uttered the phrase, “Thus saith the LORD GOD.” Our counsel to others should not be conclusions based on our own life experiences and opinions. We must share what we have received in our heart — God’s words. It is interesting to note that Ezekiel’s actions mirrored his spoken words. God continually asks Ezekiel to demonstrate His truth toIsraelby the way He lives (as seen in the sign of the tile, shaving, burning hair, lying on each side, and imprisonment). Our life must reflect the truth of God. Our actions will speak louder than our words!
You would think that Ezekiel was ready to so speak. However, God gives a couple of other instructions. Ezekiel was to go and identify with the people (3:15). How can we share the love of Christ with people with whom we aren’t willing to identify? Before Ezekiel spoke, he sat quietly with those who would be the recipients of his/God’s message. We must be willing to spend time with people and to listen. Ezekiel waited for God’s direction before he spoke. The cliché is true — “People won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Finally, God gives Ezekiel a warning. Ezekiel will be held accountable. He isn’t accountable for the response of the people, but He is accountable to hear, receive, and speak the words of God (3:15-21). God doesn’t ask us to change the hearts of men, but He does require that we hear the Word of Christ, receive the Word of Christ, and share the Word of Christ (Col. 3:16; I Tim. 4:16).
Are you encountering Christ daily by meeting with Him in His word? Are you listening to His words and receiving them in your heart? Are you identifying with those around you and speaking God’s Word to them, both audibly, and in the way you live?
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
As the APPEARANCE OF A MAN UPON THE THRONE – Ezek.1:26(Rev. 1:13-17).