As peter said of the prophets, they saw the sufferings and they saw the glory that would follow 1 pet. The book of ezekiel proclaims gods uncompromising judgment against his rebellious people but also his promise of of restoration if they repent. Most of the book of ezekiel contains prophecies that were given before the final fall of jerusalem to the babylonians. The glory of god may well be viewed as the theme of the book, because ezekiels ministry begins with a vision of gods glory and emphasizes it throughout the book 1.
The priest ezekiel was the first prophet to be called by the lord outside of israel during the babylonian captivity. He belonged to the family of zadok, who was a famous priest. Jan 10, 2016 gcbi is a one year bible program designed to give students the tools and knowledge required to understand the bible and form a biblical worldview, with the goal of following jesus last. Many of the divine visions that ezekiel shares are relevant to gods plans for reconstructing the present world and restoring his people to our former days in the garden of eden. Exposing the depth of israels disobedience, the prophet ezekiel calls the nation to find forgiveness by turning away from their sin and back to god. Along with ezekiel s declaration of judgment to israel came a message of hope in a future restoration, though the message was veiled by mysterious symbols and events that still generate wonder and debate today. The knowing the bible series is edited by theologian j. But from almost the very beginning of the book, god makes clear that in the midst of suffering and judgment they have misunderstood gods heart. Pastor steve will move through the book in a methodical fashion to unveil the lords message to israel and all believers. The prophets wrote over a period of 250300 years, spanning the decline, the exile, and the return of the children of israel. It was authored by ezekiel who was set as a watchman to the house of israel.
Study the bible online using commentary on ezekiel and more. All articles together with tools, activities, aids and materials and are designed to be used by an individual or a christian bible study group or. Apr 22, 2018 this study walks readers through the prophecies of ezekiel, pointing them to the promises of god to restore his people so they display his glory to the nations. The nwt study bible is complete with cross references, maps, and an accurate bible dictionary. Chapter 8 describes the idol worship by the leaders of israel right in the temple. The book of ezekiel is the third of the books of the. These doubts were strong enough, in those early days, to raise the question of whether ezekiel should be one of the biblical books. He was among the jews exiled to babylon by nebuchadnezzar in 597 b. Free sunday school resources worksheets, stories, more.
Ezekiel describes his vision as an elaborate and complex image that symbolizes the majesty of yahweh and proclaims yahwehs sovereignty over all the nations of the earth. Ezekiel chapters 1 to 24 free bible commentary in easy. A bible study series through the old testament prophet, ezekiel. These 12week studies lead participants through books of the bible and are made up of four basic components. According to dates given in the text, ezekiel received his prophetic call in the fifth year of the first deportation to babylonia 592 bc and was active until about 570. The book has always been named for its author, ezekiel 1.
The book of ezekiel is one of the major prophets in the old testament. For example, compare revelation chapters 1821 with ezekiel chapters 27, 38, and 47. The prophet describes massive visions of gods spiritual forces in action behind the scenes and blueprints for the future. What is known of ezekiel is derived solely from the book that bears his name. This book is basically about the destruction and exile of judah and the promise of its eventual restoration by god. Jul 03, 2016 watch our overview video on the first part of the book of ezekiel, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Key personalities include ezekiel, israels leaders, ezekiel s wife. And nowhere in the bible are gods initiative and control expressed more clearly and pervasively than in the book of ezekiel. The book of ezekiel is narrative history, prophetic and apocalyptic in genre and even contains parables. Ezekiel is not mentioned outside his prophetic work. The book of ezekiel takes its title from the priest of the same name, son to a man named buzi. The departure of the glory of the lord from israel is one of the basic disclosures of this prophetic book, so ezekiel traces it very carefully in its different stages cf. The book of ezekiel is the third of the latter prophets in the tanakh and one of the major prophetic books in the old testament, following isaiah and jeremiah. Ezekiel in babylon in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as i was among the exiles by the chebar canal, the heavens were opened, and i saw visions of god.
Ezekiel chapters 1 to 24 free bible commentary in easy english. A series of studies in the old testament book of ezekiel. Mdiv, gordonconwell theological seminary serves as the lead pastor of hinson baptist church in portland, oregon. He was about 25 years old when he was taken to babylon. He is the author of biblical theology in the life of the church. Book of ezekiel overview insight for living ministries. His name means strengthened by god, which, indeed, he was for the prophetic ministry to which god called him 3. Im not finished with the study, but am very glad with the knowledge i have obtained from kay arthurs writings, so far.
The book of ezekiel can seem vague and confusing for some readers, but with careful observation it contains key details god wants us to know about. No other bible book has as many links to the book of revelation as the book of ezekiel. In contrast to various other prophets ezekiel has not been criticised as much. Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted. The book of revelation, the last of the bible books, especially alludes to ezekiel s prophecies. Watch our overview video on the first part of the book of ezekiel, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Ezekiels mission to the judean exiles in babylon was to prepare them for the greatest crisis in the history of yahwehs covenant people. From the first chapter, which graphically describes the overwhelming invasion of the divine presence into ezekiel s world, to the last phrase of ezekiel s vision the lord is there the book sounds and echoes gods. Ezekiel with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. According to dates given in the text, ezekiel received his prophetic call in the fifth year of the first deportation to babylonia 592 bc and was active until about 570 bc. Ezekiel s mission to the judean exiles in babylon was to prepare them for the greatest crisis in the history of yahwehs covenant people. The ot in general and the prophets in particular presuppose and teach gods sovereignty over all creation, over people and nations and the course of history. Upwards of 75 times god expresses his own concerns in the book as for my names sake or that ye shall know that i am the lord. In the beginning of his book, isaiah described the awful situation of the people of god.
Among the exiles in babylon, ezekiel shows that israel. Ezekiels priestly lineage shines through in his prophetic ministry. A 12week study knowing the bible paperback march 31, 2018 by michael lawrence author, j. According to the book itself, it records six visions of the prophet ezekiel, exiled in babylon, during the 22 years from 593 to 571 bc, although it is the product of a long and complex history and does not necessarily preserve the very. The book of ezekiel he will be strengthened of god. Ezekiel among the captivesnow it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as i was among the captives by the river chebar, that the heavens were opened and i saw visions of god a. Ezekiel study guide for growing christians ministries.
Idols are mentioned more often in the book of ezekiel than any other book of the bible 52 times. This study entitled ezekiel is delivered by david legge, an evangelist and bible teacher from n. The book of ezekiel is the third of the books of the major prophets, coming after the books of isaiah and jeremiah in the christian canon. On the fifth day of the month it was the fifth year of the exile of king jehoiachin, the word of the lord came to ezekiel the priest, the son of buzi, in the land of the chaldeans by the chebar canal. A comprehensive versebyverse exploration of the bible participant book genesis to revelation series linda b. Ezekiel went into exile at the same time as king jehoiachin in the year 597 bc.
In response to the rebellion of jehoiakim of judah in 601 b. Remember, the designation major or minor simply refers to the length of the book, not its importance. There are different ways to look at the divisions in the book of ezekiel. The prophet ezekiel the vision of the valley of dry bones ezekiel 37 ezekiel was carried away captive to babylon at the age of twentyfive one of 10,000 captives. The departure of the glory of the lord from israel is one of the basic disclosures of this prophetic book, so ezekiel traces it very carefully in its different. The prophet is so overcome by the vision that he falls on his face. Ezekiel s visions came mostly from being lifted by the spirit. The book of ezekiel, also called the prophecy of ezechiel, one of the major prophetical books of the old testament. The overall theme of the prophecy of ezekiel is the glory of god.
In the fifth year of his captivity god called the young priest to prophesy to a rebellious nation, impudent and stubborn. 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. When jehoiakims successor, jehoiachin, surrendered in 597, nebuchadnezzar appointed zedekiah king and deported to babylon jehoiachin and the royal family, along with members of the upper class, including ezekiel the priest. The book of ezekiel introduction to the book of ezekiel in the bible. Study the book of ezekiel, and your life will be transformed. In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day. As the book opens, ezekiel was a prophet of a priestly family, which was carried captive to babylon in 597 b. Ezekiel s in babylon, having been exiled there after the first siege of judah by the babylonians. They are presented here in hopes of helping you with your own study of ezekiel. Ezekiel bible study a free christian bible study resource we hope that this ezekiel bible study article will provide useful facts, information and ideas for those following a bible study plan. Ezekiel among the captivesnow it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as i was among the captives by the river chebar, that the heavens were opened and i saw visions of god.
This is a great bible study on the book of ezikiel. Study guide for ezekiel 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. He prophesied about the destruction of jerusalem six or seven years before it happened. God asks the prophet, is it is trivial matter for the house of judah to do detestable things they are doing here. Read the bible contemporary english version ezekiel. Summary of the book of ezekiel the story of the bible. Ezekiel was a priest and was probably the son of a priest, so he would have been well versed in the religious traditions and regulations. From the first chapter, which graphically describes the overwhelming invasion of the divine presence into ezekiels world, to the last phrase of ezekiels vision the lord is there the book sounds and echoes. Ezekiel cliffsnotes study guides book summaries, test. Ezekiel in the picture study bible the book of ezekiel with. He engages in startling symbolic activities to teach gods people. The book of ezekiel, one of the major prophetical books of the old testament. I was always curious about ezekiel, but could understand just a limeted amount of this book.
The book of ezekiel has always been a problem book. Ezekiel looked beyond the sufferings of christ to the glory that should follow. Encounter divine dreams and visions in the book of ezekiel. I think ezekiel saw it better than any of the other prophets. The vision of jehovah ezekiel 1 ezekiel s call to preach ezekiel 23. Intro to ezekiel biblica the international bible society. Bible gateway this site is a great resourcecontaining pretty much every translation of the bible you might desire and in numerous languages, in case you want to read ezekiel in tagalog.
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