Ezekiel
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 6th 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?
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