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| EZEKIEL *~*~* THE BOOK OF GLORY LOST AND REGAINED Ezekiel, the writer of this book (1:1-13, means "God Strengthens me": (2:5, 3: 7,8). He was the son of a priest......a parable prophet, and actor prophet. His ministry was calculated to impress children, yet this book is one of the most difficult ones of the Bible to understand. He was addressed by God as "son of man" (2:1 ~And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.) This expression was used of him 90 times; it was used of Christ 80 times. This expression was used to show him his own weakness and his need to depend upon God for strength and success. He was a powerful preacher. His favorite expression was "the hand of the Lord was upon me," showing how strongly he felt the need to go forth and preach God's message. Isaiah was the statesman prophet of faith, Jeremiah the martyr prophet of love, and Ezekiel the exile prophet of hope. Isaiah's prophecies exalt the Son; Jeremiah, the Father; and Ezekiel, the Holy Spirit. He was married, and his wife died in capitivity (24:15 - 18). During captivity he resided northeast of Babylon at Tel-abib with other captives by the river Chebar, a canal branching off from the Euphrates. He lived about 40 miles from Fara, the traditional home of Noah. He also lived about 100 miles from the site of the Garden of Eden, which could explain his use of Noah's name and the Garden of Eden (14:14, 20 ; 28:13; 31:8,9,16,18; 36:35) Ezekiel started his prophecies seven years before the destruction of Jerusalem and concluded about fifteen years after its destruction, yet it should be distinctly noted that during his whole ministry Ezekiel was an exile in Babylon. It covers a period of about 22 years (592-570 B. C. ) He was a prophet along the time of Jeremiah, Daniel, probably Habakkuk and Obadiah, and was the twelfth prophet. ~The key verses in this book are: Chapter 36: 24 - 26 ~ For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Daniel had been in Babylon 9 years when Ezekiel arrived, and had already attained to great fame. Daniel in the palace; Ezekiel in the country. They may have met often. Jeremiah was the older. Ezekiel may have been his pupil. Ezekiel preached among the exiles the same things that Jeremiah was preaching in Jerusalem: certainty of Judah's punishment for her sins. Some of Ezekiel's visions seem to be extended into the book of Revelation: Cherubim (Ezekiel 1, Revelation 4); Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38, Revelation 20); Eating the book (Ezekiel 3, Revelation 10); New Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40 - 48, Revelation 21); River of Water of Life (Ezekiel 47, Revelation 22). The dominant note of the book is "They Shall Know that I am God", It has been counted 62 places in which it occurs. Ezekiel's mission seems to have been to explain the action of God in causing or permitting Israel's captivity. It was because of the unspeakable abominations of which they had been guilty; abominations for which each other nations had been blotted out. But for Israel it was directed. By their punishment they would come to KNOW THAT GOD IS GOD. They did. The Babylonian Captivity Cured the Jews of Idolatry. Up to that time they just would be Idolaters. From that day to this, whatever other sins the Jews have been guilty of, they have not been Idolaters. It would take lots of pages and more time than I could spend to cover every incident and prophecy and vision that Ezekiel had during his years. *~*~* GOD'S HOLINESS Ezekiel saw a vision that revealed God's absolute moral perfection. God was spiritually and morally superior to members of Israel's corrupt and compromising society, Ezekiel wrote to let the people know that God in His holiness was also present in Babylon, not just in Jerusalem. *~*~* SIN Israel had sinned and God's punishment came, The fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile were used by God to correct the rebels and draw them back from their sinful way of life. Ezekiel warned them that not only was the nation responsible for sin but each individual was also accountable to God. *~*~* RESTORATION Ezekiel consoles the people by telling them that the day will come when God will restore those who turn from sin. God will be their King and shepherd. He will give his people a new heart to worship him, and he will establish a new government and a new Temple. *~*~* LEADERS Ezekiel condemned the shepherds (unfaithful priests and leaders), who led the people astray. By contrast, he served as a caring shepherd and a faithful watchman to warn the people about their sin. One day God's perfect shepherd, the Messiah, will lead his people. *~*~* WORSHIP An angel gave Ezekiel a vision of the Temple in great detail. God's holy presence had departed from Israel and the Temple because of sin. The building of a future Temple portrays the return of God's Glory and presence. God will cleanse his people and restore true worship. All of God's promises will be fulfilled under the rule of the Messiah. The faithful followers will be restored to perfect fellowhip with God and with one another. To be prepared for this time, we must focus on God. We do this through regular worship. Through worship we learn about God's holiness and the changes we must make in how we live. EZEKIAL SAW THE WHEEL (AUTHOR UNKNOWN - PUBLISHED IN 1920) Ezekiel saw a wheel Way up in the middle of the air. A wheel within a wheel Way in the middle of the air The little wheel turned by faith And the big wheel turned by the grace of God Ezekiel saw a wheel Way up in the middle of the air. Ezekiel saw a flame Way up in the middle of the air A flame within a flame Way in the middle of the air The little flame burned by faith And the big flame burned by the gracde of God Ezekiel saw a flame Way up in the middle of the air. Compiled by Shirley Barr June 7, 2005 References used: Halley Bible Handbook 1962 Life's Application Bible 1991 |
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