Ezekiel

Growing in Christ

"He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." Luke 24:45

Overview of Old Testament or New Testament

Links to observations drawn from other other books of the Bible

Practical and Pastoral Observations on the Book of Ezekiel (please read each chapter slowly and meditatively before reading observations below):

Introduction: Ezekiel, whose name means "God Strengthens," was of a priestly family (v.3) who was marched away to Babylon with other exiles from Jerusalem at the time of Judah's fall. From Babylon Ezekiel both encouraged and challenged the exiles to know and be faithful to Yahweh in their time of purification.

Ezekiel 1

Ezekiel: at about 30 years of age (v.1), was from a priestly family (v.3) in exile in Babylon, near the river Chebar (often identified as Kebar Canal near Nippur, Iraq) when a Theophany appeared to him.

A vision of God: Ezekiel begins to attempt to describe the indescribable with a description of those who carried God's throne (v.4-21). The four living beings who carried God's throne were within a great storm cloud of fire (v.4). They had human form (v.5) but with four faces and four wings (v.6) and their faces were depictions of strength (i.e. man, the pinnacle of God's creation, lion, bull and eagle, v. 10). The living beings rode on wheels intersecting at right angles so they could move in any direction as the Spriit of God wished to move (v.20).

Over the living beings was an expanse (v.22); a platform above which came the sound of a voice (v.25) like the tumult of many waters (v.24). The voice came from a throne on which was the figure of a man (v.26) glowing as like molten metal and fire, radiant all around (v.27) with a rainbow surrounding all the glory of God.

Our Only Response: Ezekiel fell on his face to the ground in worship, listening intently (v.28) that he might miss nothing and respond fully. When the Lord pulls back the veil for us to experience his holy presence we can do no other.

Ezek 1:28 b: "Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking." 

Personal Response: I will wonder at His majesty and worship Him who reveals His glory. There is no other but Yahweh.

Imagine the glory Ezekiel saw and how easy and fitting it is to pray the Lord's Prayer with awe and reverence. Try it!

My Prayer: Father thank you that you choose us to know you and to speak with us that we may see your heart and purpose and align ourselves with your holy will. More of you, Lord, more of you.

Ezekiel 2

Son of Man: (ben Adam) contrasts the majesty of God with mortal man (v.1). The Spirit of God raises, equips, empowers Ezekiel, a mere man, to fulfil his calling to rightly represent God (v.2).

God's Call: Ezekiel is to go to the children of Israel who have been in rebellion against God (v3) and speak God's word to them (v.4) whether they listen or not (v. 5) without fear despite discomfort and hardship (v.6).

God's Word: was given to Ezekiel on a scroll written on two sides (normally scrolls were written on one side). The message was one of "lamentations, mourning and woe" (v.10). Ezekiel was to eat it, making it a part of himself, so God's Word would be spoken truly. The Word of the Lord is objectively true and authoritative whether the condition of our heart causes us to receive it with joy or trepidation. Our place in either circumstance is to receive and obey.

Eze 2:7  "You shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house."

Personal Response: I will be rooted and anchored in the Word of the Lord, receiving it and doing it whether comfortable or not, whether received by others or not.

My Prayer: Father, thank you for your Holy Spirit in me. Please give more of Your Spirit that I might be empowered to walk before you in joy and strength.

Ezekiel 3

God's Word: God's Word on the scroll to be spoken to Israel was placed into Ezekiel's mouth and it was sweet to his taste (v.1-3). Ezekiel was to take God's Word into himself first, into his own heart (v.10), responding personally and wholeheartedly before declaring them to be the Word of the Lord to others (v.11). God took Ezekiel to a colony of Judean exiles where he sat, overwhelmed, for seven days, the usual period of mourning (v.14-15) without speaking or engaging the population. God then spoke (v.16).

God's foreknowledge: God prepared Ezekiel for the fact that even though foreigners would respond, even through a language barrier (v.6-7, as did the people of Nineveh), Israel would not. Israel would be hard-headed and hard-hearted. God would make Ezekiel hard-headed with equal or greater resolve so that he would not abandon his mission (v.8-9).

Ezekiel's Responsibility: In this situation of hard-hearted hears, Israel had responsibility but Ezekiel also had responsibility, despite God's foreknowledge of Israel's hostility to God's message. Ezekiel was to be like a watchman on a tower, warning of coming danger, whether his hearers took action or not. The warning was to the righteous (v.20-21) and the unrighteous (v.18). If Ezekiel abandoned his mission the punishment of those who did not hear would be on his head (v.18). In this way Ezekiel's life and message was deeply enmeshed with those to whom he was sent (v.19-21).

Further preparation for the confrontation: God then again appeared to Ezekiel in His glory to strengthen him (v.22-23). Further, God gave Ezekiel an experience of not being able to speak so that he would know both when to speak and when not to speak, so that both the message and the release of the message was directed by the Lord.

Even when the Lord knows people will not respond, He give ample opportunity. God always does - from the fall to Christ's return - what is necessary for our salvation, or to leave us without excuse. Throughout, God's messengers must speak when called to speak, regardless of circumstance or consequence. Therefore it is vital that we be in Christ near to the heart of the Father.

Eze 3:17-18 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand."

Personal Response: I take times of silence in the Lord's presence (v.16) so that my heart is ready to hear.

My Prayer: Father, let me know when you are present and have given me authority to speak, that I may do so with clarity in your timing. Father, as I wait on you, in Christ, near to your heart, give me to hear your heartbeat and word, first to me, and then to others to whom you hold me responsible to speak.