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. They had lived for so long in sin and rebellion, confident in their own strength and that of the neighboring nations, that they needed God to remind them of His holy nature and their humble identity in a most dramatic way.
After centuries of warnings, prophetic messages, and invasions, God decided that more significant action was required—He had to remove the people from their promised land.
Can you imagine the feelings of disorientation and confusion that accompanied these people? The book of Ezekiel reminds us to seek out the Lord in those dark times when we feel lost, to examine our own lives, and to align ourselves with the one true God.
Will you consider doing so today? View Chuck Swindoll's chart of Ezekiel , which divides the book into major sections and highlights themes and key verses. Who wrote the book? This will help you understand the timing of Ezekiel's prophecies.
Ezekiel has many references to time and you will want to mark these in a distinctive way e. There are 13 dated references in Ezekiel and they are listed below. I would suggest recording these in the margin next to the respective Scripture. Dating in Ezekiel hold pointer over verse for popup. As you go through these chapters one at a time, interrogate the text with the five W's and an H.
Ask questions such as: What does Ezekiel see? How are they described? Where are they? Where is Ezekiel? What is he told to do? Why is he told to do it? When is Ezekiel to speak? Note what Ezekiel is called to do and how he is to do it. Also note to whom he is sent and why. Record your observations on a separate piece of paper. In summary form list everything you observe from the text about Ezekiel, the people to whom he was sent, and the glory of the Lord.
Record the theme or title of each chapter remembering to try to use words that are actually in the chapter. Although that may be a valid observation, it would hardly distinguish this chapter from others. Read through this segment one chapter at a time. Mark every reference to the time of a vision and key words or phrases. Note in the margin who is going to know and how they will know.
In this section add covenant to your list of key words and list what you learn. Now read through each chapter again. Watch for every reference to the son of man. In the margin note God's instructions to Ezekiel, the son of man.
Note to whom or to what he was to speak and how. Note whether it was by symbolic acts, messages, visions, parables, or signs. Note why he was to speak in that way and the significance of his action. Notice when Ezekiel's mouth is shut and then later opened. Note that Ezekiel is a unit composed of several visions. How did he get there? What happens to the glory of the LORD? Note the progression in your margin. Read through this segment one chapter at a time marking the key words.
When you mark the phrase know that I am the Lord , note in the margin who is going to know and how they will know it. How do your observations in this section compare to God's covenant promise to Abraham that " I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. On the second reading of the chapter, identify and record in the margin the nation to whom the prophecy is given and the ruler if mentioned.
Note what will happen to the nation and why. Seven of the thirteen dates in Ezekiel are in this section Ezek — ; Ezek — ; Ezek — ; Ezek — ; Ezek — ; Ezek — ; Ezek — It is the prophet's response to the despair of the exiles, and it has become a powerful symbol of hope, resurrection, and regeneration. In the early days of his ministry, Ezekiel found it difficult to impress his doctrines upon his people.
Later, particularly after the destruction of Jerusalem, they recognized him as their spiritual leader, and they turned to him for counsel in their religious dilemmas and perplexities. The community elders evidently assembled in his home for instruction and guidance ff, ff , and it is possible that the institution of the synagogue grew out of these gatherings.
One of the primary religious issues raised in these meetings was the problem of God's justice. The exiles thought they were sinless and should not have to suffer for the sins of their ancestors. In his reply Ezekiel laid down a vital principle in Judaism. Before Ezekiel, Jeremiah had asserted that children are not answerable for their parents' sins. Ezekiel proclaimed a new doctrine, which represents an ethical advance.
The individual alone, he said, bears responsibility for his deeds. The belief "If the fathers have eaten sour grapes, the children's teeth should be set on edge" is no longer tenable. The truth is that "the soul that sinneth, it shall die"
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