Ezekiel
Author
The book was written by Ezekiel, who’s name means “God Strengthens.” From the timeframe given in Ezekiel 1:1, it can be deduced that Ezekiel was born in 623 B.C; and would have been a child when the book of the Law was recovered by King Josiah. In his lifetime, he would have witnessed the revival of faith in God’s law by the people of Judah, and then their return to sin and ultimately the nation’s fall to Babylon.
Many have considered Ezekiel’s ministry to be a continuation of the ministry of Jeremiah, who prophesied up to the fall of Jerusalem, although Jeremiah is never mentioned in the book of Ezekiel. To compare their ministry, notice that Jeremiah 29 was written to the Jews in exile to whom Ezekiel was prophesying.
Ezekiel’s ministry was marked by visions. (See 1:4-28, 2:9-3:3, 3:22-23, 8:1-18, 9:1-11, 10:1-22, 11:1-25, 37:1-10, and 40:1-48:35.)
He was also known because of his use of strange symbolic actions to demonstrate his prophecies. (See 4:1-3, 4:4-8, 4:9-17, 5:1-17, 12:1-20, 21:1-17, 21:18-23, 22:17-31, 24:15-27, 37:15-17.)
Date
From about 592 B.C; lasting for at least 22 years.
Ezekiel was taken to Babylong in 597 B.C during Nebuchadnezzar’s second invasion of Jerusalem, at the same time as King Jehoiachin (see 2 Kings 24:10-16). He was called into the prophetic ministry five years later.
Audience and Purpose
Ezekiel is one of two Old Testament prophets who were writing from exile in Babylon. While Daniel, the other of the two, was God’s mouthpiece to the King of Babylon, Ezekiel was speaking to God’s people in their captivity, calling them to repentance and faithfulness.
Many of the Jewish people did return to faith and obedience to God during their captivity. Since Israel’s identity was no longer linked to the promised land or the temple in Jerusalem, this period is considered to be the beginning of Judaism, and giving Ezekiel the nickname, “the father of Judaism.”
Specific to Ezekiel’s audience was the Jewish elders in captivity, who would often visit Ezekiel’s home to seek his wisdom and advise (see 8:1, 14:1, and 20:1).
Major Themes
- Idolatry.
- God’s Sovereignty.
- Prophecy and Visions.
- Hope and Restoration.
Key Scriptures
- Ezekiel 36:22-27 — “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”
- Ezekiel 38:23 — “So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”
Outline
- Ezekiel 1:1-1:3 — Ezekiel’s Call as a Prophet
- Ezekiel 1:4-24:27 — Prophesy of God’s Judgment on Judah and Jerusalem
- Ezekiel 25:1-32:32 — Prophesy of God’s Judgment on the Nations
- Ezekiel 33:1-39:29 — Promise of Restoration for God’s people
- Ezekiel 40:1-48:35 — Vision of a Rebuilt Temple
Gospel Summary
Ezekiel refers to himself as the “son of man,” simply referencing his own humanity. However, this title is the one Jesus took for Himself more than any other, which refers to the fact that Jesus’ humanity was by choice, made in willful obedience to His heavenly Father. Ezekiel was a prophet to people in exile from their homeland. Jesus was the Savior to people in exile from relationship with God.
Throughout the book of Ezekiel, we see the people of God living, once again, in the punishment for their sin, away from God’s Temple (His presence) in Jerusalem. This scene of desperation is the same as Adam and Eve, when they were cast from God’s presence, out of the Garden of Eden. Yet, just as there was hope given to Adam and Eve of a Savior who would come and rescue humanity, Ezekiel’s voice rings out, as well, with hope for salvation and restoration. He calls the people to repent, and even in the midst of their current, unhappy circumstances, to put their faith and hope in God alone.
Many passages in Ezekiel point us forward to the coming Messiah, and give us a picture of who this Messiah would be. This includes, among other things:
- Our Sanctuary (11:16-20)
- Israel’s True King (21:26-27);
- The Faithful Shepherd (34:11-31);
- The One who gives us new hearts and a new spirit (36:26-27);
- Our Resurrection (37:12-14), and
- The Living Water (47:1-12).
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© Anthony Scott Ingram 2020. All Rights Reserved.
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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
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