Overview of the Bible: Ezekiel

 

Ezekiel  

video lesson

Title: Ezekiel – God strengthens (makes harder), cp. 3:8-9. The name is used only twice in the book (1:3 and 24:24).  

Date of writing: see the Date of Narrative (looks like he wrote down each vision right after the experience)

Date of Narrative: 592 BC

Structure: Dorsey, p. 257

I. First collection of messages, 1 - 7

II. Second collection of messages, 8 – 13

III. Third collection of messages, 14 – 19

IV. Fourth collection of messages, 20 – 24

V. Oracles against the nations (7 nations), 25 – 32

VI. Messages about Israel’s punishment and restoration, 33 – 39

VII. New Temple and new land, 40 – 48

Main themes:

Sacred presence of God. Apart from mysterious vision of the chariot of fire (cp. 2 Kings 2:1-14) it is important to notice that God moves using only straight lines. When He changes the direction, it takes a 90 degree turn, no curving. It is worthy to compare it with the structure and furniture set up of the Tabernacle and the Temple. Everything is “cubic” except the bronze ocean in the Temple. Ocean, being round and supported by the 12 bulls, symbolizes the gentiles. When Israel is unfaithful (bulls collapse) and the water of judgement is poured over the face of the earth.     

Son of Man. The term is used 94 times in the Old Testament. 93 out of them are in the Book of Ezekiel. Observing what he is charged to do and how he acts toward his deceased wife, it becomes obvious that he is ordained by God (ch. 1-3) to be the High Priest for the Israel in exile. Therefore, when we read that Jesus is called the Son of Man in the Gospels, we need to see him as the one who carries out the [High] priestly ministry.  

Justice (second and 6^th blocks) in the Book of Ezekiel depends on God’s definition of righteousness. It is closely connected with a sense of LORD’S presence. That’s why the theme is brought up in the block that shows God’s glory moving out of the Temple and then in the block of the promises of the future restoration. 

Main Characters: Ezekiel, elders of Judah/Israel, Ezekiel’s wife, Gog and Magog

Reflection in other parts of the Bible:

Chapters 8 – 11 talk about the glory of the LORD leaving the Temple because of the abomination done by the leaders of Israel. This is what creates desolation (cp. 1 Sam. 2 – 4; Dan. 9:22; 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15).   

The relations of YHWH and Israel are presented in a context of marriage symbolism – ch. 16. This continues the train of thought beginning from the Song of Songs (Solomon) through Lamentations to the Revelation 22.

Lutheran teaching:

Ez. 33:11 (see the memory verse) tells that God does not have a pleasure in the death of the wicked, but wants his repentance. This passage is an important part of the discussion of Repentance [Ap. XXIa (V)], but also the eternal foreknowledge of God about those who going to be saved [FC, Epitome XI].

The article in the Formula of Concord on Foreknowledge of God picks up on the heretical idea that Jesus, knowing who is not going to be saved, did not die for the infidels. Along with 33:11, 18:23 is an important reference point from the Book of Ezekiel to reject this idea [FC, Epitome XI:10]. 

Lutheran hymnody:

LSB 583 – God has spoken by His Prophets (stanza 1 – righteous Lord).

Relevancy of the Book:

Reading the Book of Ezekiel helps to see the value of godly worship in connection with the issues of “social justice”. Social justice without orthodoxy will retain the presence of God, but orthodoxy without care for the less fortunate is an hypocrisy that will result in God’s abandonment of the House of the LORD.   

Memory verses:  

33:11 –  As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?