Introduction

The book of Ezekiel is sadly neglected by many Christians who think it is a hard book to understand. That is not the case. Difficult parts there may be, but it’s never a difficult book. The message is very singular, and the method of portrayal is very interesting and exciting.

Sadly, many have used it as a happy hunting ground for the weirdest of doctrines and ideas, from Erich Von Daniken to Hal Lindsay. But Ezekiel was meant neither for ‘space gods’ nor premillennial teaching. It was, as Paul said written for our instruction. This study is not meant to deny false teaching, but to understand the book.

Although mention will be made on the way through of certain millennial ideas. In accordance with most commentators on the subject, I agree that a good knowledge of the Book of Jeremiah is of great benefit to the student of Ezekiel. Let 20th century Christians learn from both Ezekiel and Jeremiah.

Unlike many other books of the prophets, the book of Ezekiel has never been seriously questioned as to its authenticity or authorship. It plays an important part in God’s revelation to Israel and shows clearly once again that God can use the individual characteristics of people to serve His purpose.

The Book of Ezekiel is generally ignored. It is probably not even read by most Christians. This is possibly due to the supposed problems with the first chapter, but we must not let the details of the vision in Ezekiel 1 put us off reading this great book.

AUTHOR

The author is the prophet Ezekiel, a priest and son of Buzi, Ezekiel 1:3. The autobiographical style of the book supports Ezekiel as the author of the book. He uses the words ‘I’, ‘me’ and my throughout the book. The book has a uniformity of language, style, theme, and message which support the theory of a single author.

EZEKIEL, THE MAN

The name, Ezekiel is found nowhere else in the Scriptures except in the book itself, Ezekiel 1:3 / Ezekiel 24:24. Ezekiel means ‘God will strengthen’ or ‘God strengthens’. God tells him that the people will not listen to him. But God will strengthen him.

He will need it because of Ezekiel 2:5, His wife dies. He was a married man, but his wife died when he was about thirty-six years old, Ezekiel 24:15-27. This event played a large part in his message.

He was of a priestly family and destined to become a priest serving in the temple in Jerusalem, Ezekiel 1:3 / Ezekiel 13:21. However, God changed the direction of his life and although called to be a priest, he was to serve God as a prophet.

He was 30 years old when he was called to the prophetic office, Ezekiel 1:1. He was married and lived in his own house, Ezekiel 8:1 / Ezekiel 24:18.

If we understand Ezekiel 1:1, 30th year, as Ezekiel’s age, then he would have been twenty-five when taken captive in 597 B.C. to Babylon, 2 Kings 24:14 / Jeremiah 24.

He would be preparing for that time when he would serve in the temple, but he would never see his homeland again in the flesh. Ezekiel would have been one of the ‘cream of the crop’, the best that can be offered, 2 Kings 24:14-17 / Jeremiah 29:1-23. There were three deportations, Daniel was in the first, Ezekiel was in the second deportation. 597 B.C. into exile.

Ezekiel was one of three prophets in the captivity, Jeremiah and Daniel being the other two, also some minor prophets like Zechariah and Haggai. Ezekiel refers to Daniel in Ezekiel 14:14 / Ezekiel 14:20 / Ezekiel 28:3.

HIS CONTEMPORARIES

1. Jeremiah.

Jeremiah worked in Jerusalem. He was much older than Ezekiel, by some 20 years. Jeremiah had begun his work in the days of King Josiah in 627 B.C, Jeremiah 1:2-3. Josiah died in 609 BC. It is possible that Ezekiel and Jeremiah knew each other, as they were both connected with priests.

2. Daniel.

Daniel was taken into captivity in 606 B.C. 9 years before Ezekiel. He had already made a name for himself in the Babylonian court, Ezekiel 14:14 / Ezekiel 14:20 / Ezekiel 28:3.

DATE

It’s generally accepted that the date which the book was written is somewhere between 593/2 to 562 B.C. Ezekiel’s prophecies seem to be dated around the exile of king Jehoiachin, 597 B.C. Thirteen of Ezekiel’s message are dated precisely to the day, month and year of King Jehoiachin’s exile to Babylon.

THE BOOK AND ITS MESSAGE

Ezekiel was meticulous, careful, accurate in dating his prophecies, Ezekiel 29:17, date 575 B.C. last dated prophecy which indicates that he was about 22/23 years in the business of prophecy. Ezekiel was a vivid character.

He carried a harsh message to his people and was often unable to give it because he identified so much with them. At the same time, he was a bit of an extrovert and used allegory, figures and symbolic actions and language to enhance his message, Ezekiel 4:1-8.

Ezekiel uses the bifid method in constructing his narrative, which is, taking two major parts with a cleft in the middle. The approaching fall of Jerusalem. Ezekiel 1-24, the major part. Prophecies concerning foreign nations, Ezekiel 25-32, the cleft side issue. Israel’s future restoration, Ezekiel 33-48, the major part.

It was Ezekiel’s responsibility to remind Israel of the sins which had brought judgement and exile upon them. At the same time, he encourages and strengthens their faith with prophecies of future restoration and glory. Ezekiel vindicates God’s judgements throughout, Ezekiel 14:23 / Ezekiel 18:5-20 / Ezekiel 33:10-20.

The prophet is called to be a watchman to the house of Israel, Ezekiel 3:17 / Ezekiel 33:7. He is to give a warning to the wicked men and his persistence in it. The only way that this can be achieved is by listening to God and his spokesman and not to the false prophets. Consequently, Ezekiel uses the expression ‘Thus saith the Lord’ at least 117 times in the book.

To get across his message he used several ecstatic and dramatic acts, Ezekiel 3:25-26 / Ezekiel 4:1-15 / Ezekiel 5:1-4 / Ezekiel 12:3-7 / Ezekiel 12:17 Ezekiel 24:3-5 / Ezekiel 24:15-18 / Ezekiel 37:15-17.

THEMES

One of the major themes running through the book is the sovereignty of God. In over 60 places we find the phrase, ‘They shall know that I am the Lord.’ It occurs in 27 of the 48 chapters, Ezekiel 6:7 / Ezekiel 13:9 / Ezekiel 33:29.

Another theme is that of the holiness of God, shown in that he cannot dwell in a temple which is the centre of false worship, Ezekiel 8:6 / Ezekiel 43:10. God will demand holiness of the people when he promises them a future.

Ezekiel compiles the book almost as a journal or diary. Throughout, it is carefully dated and arranged in basically chronological order, Ezekiel 1:1-2 / Ezekiel 8:1 / Ezekiel 20:1 / Ezekiel 24:1 / Ezekiel 35:21. Why does Ezekiel date his book so precisely?

It may be partly due to his own personality, but undoubtedly when a date is normally given in a book of the prophets, it usually speaks of a need to understand the historical background. Generally speaking, the prophets cannot be fully understood without a knowledge of the history of the times.

EZEKIEL AND JOHN

There are many similarities and connections between the books of Ezekiel and Revelation.

COMPARE

Cherubim, Ezekiel 1, and Ezekiel 10:15 with Revelation 4:6-11.
Protect God’s Holiness. Gog and Magog, Ezekiel 38 with Revelation 20:7-15.
Enemy of God’s people Eating a book, Ezekiel 3 with Revelation 10:1-11.
Make my message yours Written on the heart. New Jerusalem, Ezekiel 40-48 with Revelation 21.
River of water of life, Ezekiel 47 with Revelation 22.
Blessing of God overflowing to his people.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Biblical history of the period of Ezekiel’s life is found in 2 Kings 21-25 / 2 Chronicles 33-36 / Jeremiah 21-45. Ezekiel was born during the reign of Josiah, king of Judah in about 622 B.C. But we need to go further back to the reign of Manasseh to understand the full background.

Internationally, there was a power struggle going on between the failing Assyrians who had been world rulers for some time, the Egyptians who would have been happy to continue an alliance with them, and the Chaldeans led by Nabopolassar who eventually came out on top.

OUTLINE

The prophet’s call and commission. Ezekiel 1:1-3:15
Prophecies from Ezekiel’s call until the fall of Jerusalem. Ezekiel 3:16-24:17
Predictions against and lamentations over foreign nations. Ezekiel 25-32
The Responsibilities of a watchman and a shepherd. Ezekiel 33-34
Edom is denounced. Ezekiel 35
The valley of dry bones. Ezekiel 36-37
Gog and Magog are judged. Ezekiel 38-39
The vision of a restored temple. Ezekiel 40-48

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