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Home , Ezekiel 1

THE CALL OF GOD 1-12 11/8/09 PM

Facts on Ezekiel

z Author: God Strengthens

z Date: 592 - 570 B.C.

z Theme: the Temple and the glory of God 1-12

Three Captivities to Bablyon

605 B.C. Daniel & friends 597 B.C. Ezekiel & 10,000 586 B.C. The Remnant

1. Ezekiel’s Vision Of God Ezekiel 1 1-3 Ezekiel had been taken captive to in 597 BC It is now five years later (592) and he is located halfway between Baghdad and Basra in what is today Iraq when the word of the Lord comes to him. 4-28 It is there that God appears to him in a strange way 4-14 The 4 and the chariot 10:15, 20 The four living creatures are identified as an order of angels known as cherubim Angels are spirit beings) ◊ Hebrews 1:13 But to which of the angels has He ever said, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET "? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? They are not by physical material beings. ◊ Luke 24:39 ". . . spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." Therefore the cherubim here are representing some spiritual reality.

Principles for Apocalyptic Visions

1. Look for the interpretation provided in the text.

2. Don’t add to the interpretation of the divine interpreter.

3. Don’t seek to interpret the minute details.

Perhaps each face represents God as sovereign over the creation, 15-21 The 4 wheels 16-17 Since they intersect at right angles, they can roll in all directions 18 full of eyes- God can see all 22-28 The radiant expanse Ezekiel fell on his face when He saw the glory of God. Cf Genesis 17:3; :23; Daniel 8:17; :17 The fact that God revealed His glory to Ezekiel in Babylon assures him that God had not deserted His people. 2. Ezekiel’s Call And Commissioning -3

2 2:1-3:11 Ezekiel is called to represent God before a rebellious nation Just like Isaiah and Jeremiah This vision and calling took place in Babylon in 592 BC This is prior to the final destruction of in 586 BC Most of those in exile were still rebellious as were those who were left in Judah and Jerusalem Ezekiel is told to speak God’s Word. Not to let fear and rejection cause him to keep quiet 3:18-26

Ezekiel 3:18-21 “His blood will be on his own head”

Do Christians get an unbeliever’s blood on their hands if they fail to witness?

Do Christians deliver themselves from blood guiltiness when they share the message of salvation?

If the warning is delivered the ’s life is saved. Paul felt the same responsibility at when speaking to the Jews at Corinth. Acts 18:6 But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." Note that even the righteous need warned because they are susceptible to sin.

3 Does Ezekiel 3:20 deny the eternal security of believers?

z The context is the Old Covenant. z The one who obeys lives physically. z Breaking the covenant results in physical death. z Ezekiel 3:20 has nothing to do with eternal security.

Ezekiel’s Physical Limitations

z Secluded in his house 3:24

z Bound with ropes 3:25

z Mute until Jerusalem falls except when God speaks through him 3:26

3. Ezekiel’s Prophesies Against Judah And Jerusalem -12 a. Prophetic Symbols 4:1-5:17

The Symbol of the Brick 4:1-3

Jerusalem is going to come Jerusalem under siege!

Symbol of the Prophet’s Lying Down 4:4-8

z Left side: 390 days z Right side: 40 days z Total: 430 days

597 B.C. - 430 = 167 B.C.

4 Symbol of Famine 4:9-17

Meager rations Defiled bread

The Judeans would soon be eating unclean food in a foreign land.

Symbol of the Sword and Razor 5:1-17

Ezekiel’s hair divided into 3 parts: 1/3 burned 1/3 cut 1/3 scattered

Interpretation in v. 12 b. Prophetic Sermons 6:1-7:27 6:1-14 God will judge them because of their idolatry 7:1-27 Their judgment will be severe c. Prophetic Visions 8:1-11:25 8:1-18 A vision of the wickedness in the temple 9:1-11 A vision of the slaughter in Jerusalem 10:1-22 A vision of the burning of Jerusalem 11:1-21 A vision of the wicked princes 11:14-21 God’s promised preservation of a remnant 11:22-25 A vision of the glory of God departing Cf 9:3; 10:4,19

5 Departure of God’s Glory

God will no longer associate his glory with idolatrous Jerusalem.

43:2-5 The glory of God will return to the restored temple. Things We Learn About God 1. God isn’t like us 2. God is all powerful and all wise His eyes look in every direction simultaneously He sees the future as easily as He looks to the past We act as if casualness indicates intimacy with God Just the opposite is true 3. God is not limited to circumstances. He is not limited geographically In losing the land they hadn’t lost God God doesn’t need a temple He is not bound to a place 4. God loves us enough to initiate. Even when we are in sin God has communicated to us. If you care you will spend time seeing what He has to say.

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