Explain the book of ezekiel

In judaism and christianity, he is also viewed as the 6thcentury bce author of the book of ezekiel, which reveals prophecies regarding the. Ezekiel chapters 18 and 33 serve similar thematic and structural functions within the book as a whole. In ezekiel chapters 4048 we read of the visions that god gave to ezekiel of the coming millennial kingdom of the lord jesus christ. For most, ezekiels message is a mystery, but you can understand gods message for. Doughty southside christian church december 2014 introduction. Comparing his vision to babylonian iconography reveals that ezekiel saw a divine throne chariot of the heavenswidely described in the ancient biblical world. The book of ezekiel has always been a problem book.

After ezekiels announcement of jerusalems destruction the book of ezekiel focuses on an entirely different subject, which is one of comfort and encouragement to the heartbroken jews. The prophet ezekiel was one of the captives of the babylonian conquest in 606 b. The book is valuable for understanding the life of the exiles of babylon. The book of ezekiel was likely written between 593 and 565 b. He was at chebar, likely a royal canal of nebuchadnezzar ezekiel 1. The autobiographical style of the book supports ezekiel as the author of the book i, me, my are in almost every chapter of the book. The first reason to study ezekiel is that it will help you see yourself, and especially your sin, more clearly. These doubts were strong enough, in those early days, to raise the question of whether ezekiel should be one of the biblical books. In contrast to various other prophets ezekiel has not been criticised as much. The book of ezekiel is narrative history, prophetic and apocalyptic in genre and even contains parables. To the wretchedness of physical privations there was to be added the consciousness on the part of the sufferers that their privations were caused by their own evil deeds. As the book opens, it is the thirtieth year probably the thirtieth year of his own life and the prophet is in babylon by the river chebar. Jan 30, 2018 ezekiel had his vision in babylon as one of the captive exiles ezek 1. Ezekiel, bible commentary, a message for gods people.

It is intended to help you better understand some of the background and issues in ezekiels prophecy. He subjects ezekiel to all kinds of strange experiences to demonstrate the doom thats going to. The book of revelation disagrees with the dispensational understanding of ezekiels prophecy. Besides clarity of structure, the book of ezekiel reveals symmetry. We are told that he was a priest, the son of buzi, and evidently a member of the zadok family of priests who were in charge of the sanctuary in jerusalem 1. The book of revelation disagrees with the dispensational understanding of ezekiel s prophecy. After a short prologue in which ezekiel describes how god called him, he uses a series of symbols to predict the now inevitable destruction of jerusalem and identify its. The book of ezekiel takes its title from the priest of the same name, son to a man named buzi.

Upwards of 75 times god expresses his own concerns in the book as for my names sake or that ye shall know that i. Ezekiel cliffsnotes study guides book summaries, test. The book of ezekiel is the third in a row of the socalled four major prophets. For those seeking an introductory level commentary on the book of ezekiel, the best place to turn is this commentary by derek thomas. Thousands of years ago, ezekiel recorded warnings and promises of god that are intended for our time, now.

According to dates given in the text, ezekiel received his prophetic call in the fifth year of the first deportation to babylonia 592 bc and was active until about 570 bc. What is the meaning of the valley of dry bones in ezekiel 37. Ezekiel chapter 18 kjv king james version when you are employed to sin your pay check is death. As just mentioned, no such order was ever given relative to the temple shown to ezekiel. Ezekiel describes his vision as an elaborate and complex image that symbolizes the majesty of yahweh and proclaims yahwehs sovereignty over all the nations of the earth. Yahweh brought ezekiel out in his spirit to a valley of dry bones 37. The book of ezekiel he will be strengthened of god. A commentary on the book of ezekiel southside christian. Jan 11, 2016 in ezekiel chapters 4048 we read of the visions that god gave to ezekiel of the coming millennial kingdom of the lord jesus christ. Ezekiel 34 the lord will be israels shepherd bible. Ezekiel 37 is a famous passage that records ezekiels vision of the valley of dry bones.

Ezekiel with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. We have noted the correspondence with revelation 17 and 18 ez26t, which is only a part of the connection. Hill and walton write, the lack of strict chronological ordering of the. The book of ezekiel, one of the major prophetical books of the old testament.

The book has a uniformity of language, style, theme, and message which support the theory of a single author. When we meet ezekiel, as a descendant of jacobs son levi, he is by profession a priest ezek. With this context in mind, let us look again at ezekiel 36. Ezekiel chapters 1 to 24 free bible commentary in easy. Ezekiels in babylon, having been exiled there after the first siege of judah by the babylonians. The book of ezekiel pronounces judgment on both israel and surrounding nations, but it also provides a vision of the future millennial kingdom that complements and adds to the vision of other old and new testament texts. Israel, often symbolized by a vine had become useful for nothing. Ezekiel simply explained welwyn commentary series, 1993. Ezekiel and work bible commentary theology of work. Ezekiel was trying to explain why god was letting this catastrophe happen to his people. The call to warn others ezekiel 33 bible commentary. Ezekiel wants us to know that god is where he always is. Let us begin, as the book of ezekiel does, with gods call to ezekiel to become a prophet.

Apr 12, 2017 ezekiel 37 is a famous passage that records ezekiels vision of the valley of dry bones. Ezekiel is also one of the prophets who lived in exile. Read ezekiel commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. His godofwrath version of the deity is seething with rage over israels cheatin ways. The book of ezekiel is generally divided into five parts. As such, his daytoday work had previously lain in slaughtering, butchering and roasting the sacrificial animals brought by worshipers to the temple in. It is important to elaborate on a few points raised in this article. Israel will be spiritually cleansed by the lord in verse 25.

Ezekiel, bible commentary, a message for gods people, then. This book is basically about the destruction and exile of judah and the promise of its eventual restoration by god. He was taken captive with king jehoiachin in 597 b. Ezekiels prophecies correspond in many aspects to jeremiahs prophecies as regards to the contents. Dry bones and the resurrection of the dead ezekiel 37. The heavens were opened and, the prophet declares, i saw visions of god. Every time the prophets name was mentioned, gods people were assured of his help and reminded of his promise to blind up the injured and strengthen the week. What is the meaning of the valley of dry bones in ezekiel. And he said to me, son of man, stand on your feet, and i will speak to you.

Taylor introduces his readers to the book of ezekiel and the major issues surrounding it, without delving into the world of the professional scholar. After ezekiel s announcement of jerusalems destruction the book. Ezekiels priestly lineage shines through in his prophetic ministry. The three major prophets isaiah, jeremiah, ezekiel and zephaniah all have the same basic sequence of messages. What is known of ezekiel is derived solely from the book that bears his name. Ezekiel develops the picture of the community and its leaders as flock and shepherds used throughout jeremiah. Ezekiel was to tell the bones that god would make breath enter the bones and they would come to life, just as in the creation of man when he breathed life into adam genesis 2. Key personalities include ezekiel, israels leaders, ezekiels wife. The glory of god may well be viewed as the theme of the book, because ezekiels ministry begins with a vision of gods glory and emphasizes it throughout the book 1. The first part of the book, up to chapter 32 inclusive, announces gods judgments against both the people of israel and the idolatrous nations.

The book of ezekiel is the third of the latter prophets in the tanakh and one of the major prophetic books in the old testament, following isaiah and jeremiah. This commentary is based upon my personal devotional notes and reflections on the book of ezekiel. Ezekiel commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Those who remained in jerusalem would go into exile. Verses 811 all the exiles with ezekiel should have understood what he did. Book of ezekiel read, study bible verses online bible study tools. The book of ezekiel introduction to the book of ezekiel in the bible.

Study the bible online using commentary on ezekiel and more. This vision took place while israel was in babylonian captivity so sometime between 586 b. Book of ezekiel overview insight for living ministries. He subjects ezekiel to all kinds of strange experiences to demonstrate the doom thats going to befall israel as punishment for idolatry and immorality. According to the book itself, it records six visions of the prophet ezekiel, exiled in babylon, during the 22 years from 593 to 571 bc, although it is the product of a long and complex history and does not necessarily preserve the very. Then the spirit entered me when he spoke to me, and set me on my feet. Not only does the book present a striking picture of the resurrection and restoration of gods people ezekiel 37, it. Thomas is a reformed scholar with a heart for god, for his word, and for his people that comes through on every page. He was among the jews exiled to babylon by nebuchadnezzar in 597 b. His god of wrath version of the deity is seething with rage over israels cheatin ways. For most people ezekiel is a closed, mysterious and enigmatic book with little relevancy to todays world. As a priest, ezekiel is fundamentally concerned with the kavod yhwh, a technical phrase meaning the presence shekhinah of yhwh i.

In no other book is this pattern clearer than in ezekiel see outline. Ezekiel 17 the parable of the two eagles and the vine from the beauty of its images, the elegance of its composition, the perspicuity of its language, the rich variety of its matter, and the easy transition from one part of the subject to another, this chapter forms one of the most beautiful and perfect pieces of its kind that can possibly be conceived in so small a compass. In the first half of the book of ezekiel ezekiel 3 judah is accused of breaking all of gods commandments, and they are warned by god that they will be destroyed if they persist in their sins. Nov 24, 2016 thousands of years ago, ezekiel recorded warnings and promises of god that are intended for our time, now. Ezekiel overview james burton coffman commentaries on. He belonged to the family of zadok, who was a famous priest. Upwards of 75 times god expresses his own concerns in the book as for my names sake or that ye shall know that i am the lord. Ezekiel went into exile at the same time as king jehoiachin in the year 597 bc. Ezekiel chapters 1 to 24 free bible commentary in easy english. Very few details of ezekiels life are known, since the book of ezekiel contains only a few references of a biographical nature. This is another echo from that book which had entered so largely into ezekiels education leviticus 26. This is not only the concise overview of the book of isaiah, but also of the book of ezekiel, except that ezekiel adds one more principle, the principle of individual responsibility which was also touched by the prophet, jeremiah. According to the book itself, it records six visions of the prophet ezekiel, exiled in babylon, during the 22 years from 593 to 571 bc, although it is the product of a long and complex history and does not necessarily preserve the very words of the prophet. You can find the best commentary on ezekiel for you using the tools on the right side.

Ezekiel 34 new international version niv the lord will be israels shepherd. After a short prologue in which ezekiel describes how god called him, he uses a series of symbols to predict the now inevitable destruction of jerusalem and identify its causes. Ezekiel 4 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Summary the book of ezekiel has the most logical arrangement of any of the. A commentary on the book of ezekiel by pastor galen l. But now, on the morning after, god tells ezekiel to explain it to them. Ezekiel ministered to his generation who were both exceedingly sinful and thoroughly hopeless.

The prophet ezekiel is the author of the book ezekiel 1. In ezekiel, the metaphor is seen only in this chapter and in 37. Ezekiel lived in times of great political turmoil and witnessed the final collapse of judah to the babylonian empire. The major divisions within the book of ezekiel reveal the purpose of this ministry. I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste 3 therefore thus saith the lord god. The problem was the people didnt want to hear his warning 2. Summary of the book of ezekiel the story of the bible. While jeremiah lived judahs downfall in jerusalem daniel and ezekiel had already been deported to babylon. In this nontechnical commentary, geared toward those who have read the book and are ready to proceed further, john b. This is another echo from that book which had entered so largely into ezekiel s education leviticus 26.

Ezekiel 4 commentary james burton coffman commentaries. Ezekiel explained that for each day he lay on his left side, northern israel would. Ezekiel commanded and enabled to stand to receive his call. The prophet ezekiel i love to call him the performance art prophet. Jan 02, 2020 ezekiel was to tell the bones that god would make breath enter the bones and they would come to life, just as in the creation of man when he breathed life into adam genesis 2. Watch our overview video on the first part of the book of ezekiel, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In chapters 4042 he was given a description of the temple that will be built. If so, press like, give a comment, share, subscribe. Having been cut off from jerusalem and its temple where alone yahweh dwelled and. Ezekiel obeyed, the bones came together, flesh developed, skin covered the flesh, breath entered the bodies, and they stood up in a vast army. The prophet is so overcome by the vision that he falls on his face. The voice of god came in the fulness of light and power, by the. Woe to you shepherds of israel who only take care of yourselves. Apr 22, 2018 the first reason to study ezekiel is that it will help you see yourself, and especially your sin, more clearly.