In today’s video we’re going to, survey and briefly summarize the Book of Ezekiel. Then
afterwards, as always, I’ll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.
As for the Author: The Prophet Ezekiel is the author of the book
(Ezekiel 1:3). He was a contemporary of both Jeremiah and Daniel.
As for the Date of Writing: The Book of Ezekiel
was likely written between 593 and 565 B.C. during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews.
Now, as for the Purpose of Writing: Ezekiel ministered to his generation who were both
exceedingly sinful and thoroughly hopeless. By means of his prophetic ministry he attempted
to bring them to immediate repentance and to confidence in the distant future. He taught that:
(1) God works through human messengers; (2) Even in defeat and despair God’s people need to affirm
God’s sovereignty; (3) God’s Word never fails; (4) God is present and can be worshiped anywhere;
(5) People must obey God if they expect to receive blessings; and (6) God’s Kingdom will come.
Here are some Key Verses:
Ezekiel 2:3-6, "He said: ’son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that
has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day.
The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them,
"This is what the Sovereign LORD says." And whether they listen or fail to listen - for
they are a rebellious house - they will know that a prophet has been among them.'"
Ezekiel 18:4, "For every living soul belongs to me,
the father as well as the son - both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die."
Ezekiel 28:12-14, "'You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you:
ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper,
sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold;
on the day you were created they were prepared. You were anointed as a guardian cherub,
for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones."
Ezekiel 33:11, "Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD,
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways
and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?'"
Ezekiel 48:35, "And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE."
As for a Brief Summary: How can you cope with a world gone astray? Ezekiel, destined to begin
his life’s ministry as a priest at age thirty, was uprooted from his homeland and marched off
to Babylon at the age of twenty-five. For five years he languished in despair. At age thirty
a majestic vision of Yahweh’s glory captivated his being in Babylon. The priest/prophet
discovered God was not confined to the narrow strictures of Ezekiel’s native land. Instead,
He is a universal God who commands and controls persons and nations. In Babylon,
God imparted to Ezekiel His Word for the people. His call experience transformed Ezekiel. He became
avidly devoted to God’s Word. He realized he had nothing personally to assist the captives
in their bitter situation, but he was convinced God’s Word spoke to their condition and could give
them victory in it. Ezekiel used various methods to convey God’s Word to his people. He used art
in drawing a depiction of Jerusalem, symbolic actions and unusual conduct to secure attention.
He cut his hair and beard to demonstrate what God would do to Jerusalem and its inhabitants.
Ezekiel’s book can be divided into four sections: Chapters 1-24: Prophecies on the ruin
of Jerusalem. Chapters 25-32:
Prophecies of God’s judgment on nearby nations. Chapter 33: A last call for repentance to Israel.
Chapters 34-48: Prophecies concerning the future restoration of Israel.
As for Foreshadowings: Ezekiel 34 is the chapter wherein God denounces the leaders of Israel
as false shepherds for their poor care of His people. Instead of caring for the sheep of Israel,
they cared for themselves. They ate well, were well-clothed and well-cared for by the very
people they had been placed over (Ezekiel 34:1-3). By contrast, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays
down His life for the sheep and who protects them from the wolves who would destroy the flock (John
10:11-12). Verse 4 of Ezekiel chapter 34 describes people whom the shepherds failed to minister to as
weak, sick, injured and lost. Jesus is the Great Physician who heals our spiritual wounds by His
death on the cross. He is the one who seeks and saves that which is lost (Luke 19:10).
Now for some Practical Application: The Book of Ezekiel calls us to join in a fresh and living
encounter with the God of Abraham, Moses and the prophets. We must be overcomers or we will be
overcome. Ezekiel challenged us to experience a life changing vision of God’s power,
knowledge, eternal presence and holiness; to let God direct us;
to comprehend the depth of and commitment to evil that lodges in each human heart; to recognize that
God holds His servants responsible for warning wicked men of their peril; to experience a living
relationship with Jesus Christ, who said that the new covenant is to be found in His blood.
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