Ezekiel

Ezekiel


Explain the historical background and purpose of the prophet: This is the "end" for Judah. Three countries are vying for power and the hour glass of God’s patience is at it’s end–the last grains of sand are falling. Ezekiel is writing to a nation that has been led into captivity and perhaps is still reeling from this fact. It is very dour, but like every prophet we’ve read so far, be it major or minor, there is hope,and there are promises that all is not lost . . . Instead of a priest, God uses Ezekiel as a prophet, and a prophet with many surprises! God trusted this man; "Son of man, let all My words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself." Eze. 3:10. And he did . . .

What does the book show you of the character and nature of God? It was in this time period that God was also demanding a reckoning of the nations surrounding Israel. God is just. He waits, and then He makes decisions that He knows will, in the end, preserve the nation for the future. This book, more than others, has stirred in me the greatest desire to live blamelessly before God. It is all the incomprehensible things mentioned in this book that have a way of showing the nature and character of God. It is a wonderful thing to read of a God so powerful, that while we can quake at these mysterious things that are going on in this book, we also know that we are safe.

What does the book show about God’s redemptive plan? "Ezekiel’s eschatological visions of Israel’s restoration clearly have a messianic dimension." Nelson’s Book of Maps and Charts. And it is fascinating that God calls Ezekiel "son of man." A name Jesus was called. The mention of the Davidic Covenant was another hint of a continuation of the promise made to David 500 years previously. The visions seem very far off in time and seem to tie into those in Revelation, Daniel and the culmination of time. This is a book that is overwhelming! And very exciting and hopeful.