EZEKIEL

Write one paragraph explaining the historical background and purpose of the prophet
Ezekiel was a prophet to the southern Kingdom and the Jews in exile. He probably wrote the book around 597 BC – right after he was carried off to exile together with the others. It is one of the easiest books to date the prophecies because Ezekiel dates them. In the subtitles in SVB it says that a number of dates in Ezekiel, can be cross-checked with dates in surviving Babylonian records, and also are related to our modern calendar. He ministered for about twenty years. He was like Jeremiah also a priest – and he shows concern of priestly matters as temple, priesthood, sacrifices and the glory of God manifested in the temple (NB p.219) He was prophesying at the same time as Jeremiah and Daniel, the latter is mentioned three times. (14:14, 20, 28:3)

The book can be divided into 4 sections:

Ch. 1-3: the call and commission
Ch. 4-24: the judgment on Judah
Ch.25-32: the judgment on the Gentiles
Ch.33-48 warning and urging Judah and the other nation to repent, and a message of hope, encouragement and restoration to the people in exile (NB.p 220, introduction SVB)

He gives a very detailed plan for the new temple – impressive detailed – but most important for Ezekiel was to express that “ The Lord is there” – and for the temple being a pure and vital place of worship. (43:1-4, 41:22)

 

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

2:1:  God wants to speak to His people
5:13: He has a jealous anger
11:18-21 and 36:26: He has a desire to save His people and now us, by giving a new and tender heart
18:    He wants to show His forgiveness
20:12: He has given the sign of Sabbath days of rest to remind His people that: “I am the Lord, who have set them apart to be holy”
22:30: He is looking for someone to stand in the gap - so He can show mercy

What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

In ch.34 Ezekiel gets the prophecy against the shepherds – the leaders of Israel. We read how they wrongly care for their sheeps – and how God as the divine shepherd cares for His flock, He also points forward to Jesus as the Good shepherd (John 10:11-16)

The restored sanctuary in the midst of the gathering people foreshadows the tabernacle of David and then the church. (Amos 9:11, Act 15:16)

There are prophetic images of Christ speaking in this book: “ as a man in linen” (9:11).

“A man whose face shone like bronze” (starting in 39:3).

The book uses the title “son of man” over 90 times, and it has a clear foreshadowing to Jesus. Speaking about “my servant David as King” is probably also foreshadowing to Jesus in 37:24, Ef 2.                            

The story about the dry bones coming alive, may be a picture of Gods redeemed plan for His people (37). He wants to restore, he will save, cleanse, He will pour out His spirit – all to show that He is their God and they are His People (37:27). The way he breathed life into these bones – reminds about Jesus word in John 10:10: “so you should have life, and life everlasting. “

Personal Application:

The last 2-3 days – and especially after the teaching of Ezekiel in class on Thursday I felt so sad and filled with a kind of grief. I assume that this was because of the repeating focus on Gods terrible anger against sin and how He had to punish His beloved people because of their disobeying and wrong choices – by worshiping false Gods and turning away from Him.

I am really grateful for God’s grace in my life, and I am so happy for belonging to a church back home which has a big focus on God’s grace. But in the lunchtime this day The Lord showed me that I had to go through a depressing time like this because He wanted to give me a deeper e wants understanding of His grace and what Jesus has done for me on the cross. I simply have to feel a little bit of that enormous pain and sorrow God has because of sin and that so many people – both in the time we are reading about in the Bible and also today – turn their back to Him.

Through this experience I think I have learned something of great value concerning His wonderful grace – which is not cheap!

 

Point of passion:

My point of passion during my DBS is the Shan-people in Thailand:

By reading the prophets .- also Ezekiel - I am again reminded that God is concerned about nations – and specific people. This is also true when it comes to the Shan people. God wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth (1 Tim. 2:4).

So the work and praying about revival among the Shan-people must go on!