Highlights from the Book of Ezekiel Treasures from God’s Word WT Library References INDEX Source Material ............................................................................... 1 An Introduction to the Book of Ezekiel......................................... 2 Summary of the Highlights of the Book of Ezekiel ..................... 3 Jehovah commissions Ezekiel (then an exile in Babylonia) as watchman .................................................................................................. 3 Warning prophecies against unfaithful Judah and Jerusalem .............. 3 Prophecies against surrounding nations, a number of which Jehovah foresees as rejoicing over Jerusalem’s downfall ................................... 3 Prophecies of deliverance and restoration of God’s people ................. 4 Ezekiel – Outline of Contents ........................................................ 5 Why Beneficial ................................................................................ 6 Treasures from God’s Word .......................................................... 7 WT Library Highlights .................................................................. 21 Treasures from God’s Word Chapters 1-5 Ezekiel Delighted to Declare God’s Message ....... 7 Chapters 6-10 Will You Be Marked for Survival? ........................ 8 Chapters 11-14 Do You Have a Heart of Flesh? .......................... 9 Chapters 15-17 Do You Keep Your Promises? .......................... 10 Chapters 18-20 When Jehovah Forgives, Does He Forget? ..... 11 Chapters 21-23 The Kingship Belongs to the One with the Legal Right .................................................................................... 12 Chapters 24-27 A Prophecy Against Tyre Strengthens Confidence in Jehovah’s Word ................................................... 13 Chapters 28-31 Jehovah Rewarded a Pagan Nation ................. 14 Chapters 32-34 The Watchman’s Heavy Responsibility ........... 16 Chapters 35-38 Gog of Magog Will Soon Be Destroyed ........... 17 Chapters 39-41 Ezekiel’s Temple Vision and You ..................... 18 Chapters 42-45 Pure Worship Restored! .................................... 19 Chapters 46-48 Blessings That Restored Israel Would Enjoy . 20 WT Library Reference Chapters 1-5 .................................................................................. 21 Chapters 6-10 ................................................................................ 42 Chapters 11-14 .............................................................................. 62 Chapters 15-17 .............................................................................. 72 Chapters 18-20 .............................................................................. 81 Chapters 21-23 .............................................................................. 87 Chapters 24-27 ............................................................................ 105 Chapters 28-31 ............................................................................ 125 Chapters 32-34 ............................................................................ 141 Chapters 35-38 ............................................................................ 149 Chapters 39-41 ............................................................................ 170 Chapters 42-45 ............................................................................ 182 Chapters 46-48 ............................................................................ 192 Highlights from the Book of Ezekiel Source Material This material has been sourced from the 2016 Watchtower Library compact disk. Scriptures Included. Only verses that are explained in some way are included in the Scripture Index. Hence, if the material explains the meaning of the text, gives its background, tells why the text was written, or clarifies an original-language word and its implications, the text would be indexed, since the verse or part of it is explained. Scriptures that are used as proof texts but that are not explained are omitted. For example, Ezekiel 18:4 may be used merely to show that the soul dies. In this instance the scripture would not be indexed, since no explanation of the text is given. Note: In some verses material from the WTLibrary is duplicated. Additional personal research is encouraged. Page 1 Index Ezekiel Highlights from the Book of Ezekiel An Introduction to the Book of Ezekiel Ezekiel was the son of a priest, and served as a prophet of Jehovah. He lived in Judah until 617 B.C.E. when Judean King Jehoiachin was forced to surrender to Babylon. Ezekiel was among the Jewish exiles whom King Nebuchadnezzar took to Babylon at that time. In 613 B.C.E. Jehovah commissioned Ezekiel to prophesy to the exiled Jews living in Babylonian captivity. Ezekiel faithfully fulfilled his assignment for at least 22 years. He completed his book in about 591 B.C.E. Ezekiel's prophetic work overlapped that of Obadiah and Jeremiah, in Judah; and of Daniel in Babylon. The sanctification of Jehovah's name is highlighted throughout the Book of Ezekiel. The expression “Sovereign Lord Jehovah” appears 217 times. The Book of Ezekiel has 48 chapters. In chapters 1 to 3 we read about the awe-inspiring visions Ezekiel sees by the river Chebar. During an intense windstorm, Ezekiel beholds four magnificent living creatures, or cherubs. Each one has four faces; that of a man, a lion, a bull, and an eagle. These faces reflect attributes that Jehovah possesses. Ezekiel is awed by a vision of the heavenly part of Jehovah's organization which is represented by a celestial chariot directed by God's spirit. Chapters 4 to 24 contain Jehovah's judgement against Jerusalem and her rebellious idolatrous people. Ezekiel often communicated Jehovah's prophecies by means of symbolic actions. For example, Jehovah had Ezekiel engrave the city of Jerusalem on a brick and stage a mock siege against it. As a sign of the coming siege he lay on his side for 430 days. In chapters 25 to 32 Jehovah turns his attention to the surrounding nations. They receive an adverse judgment because of their opposition to his people. Through Ezekiel Jehovah foretells destruction for the city of Tyre and her king. Did you know? The prophecy against Tyre was fulfilled in two stages. Years after Nebuchadnezzar devastated the mainland city, Alexander the Great completed the destruction by building a causeway to the island city of Tyre using the rubble remaining from Nebuchadnezzar's conquest. Chapters 33 to 48 contain a message of hope, and of the restoration of pure worship. In chapters 40 to 48 we read of Jehovah giving Ezekiel a vision of a temple. This vision of the temple underscores Jehovah's high standards for true worship. As you study this prophetic book take note of Jehovah's awe-inspiring qualities; Ezekiel's unswerving obedience to his instructions; and Jehovah's promises to unite all mankind in pure worship by means of the Kingdom. Page 2 Index Ezekiel Highlights from the Book of Ezekiel Summary of the Highlights of the Book of Ezekiel Prophecies regarding the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon and the restoration of a faithful remnant. A central theme is that people “will have to know that I am Jehovah” Written in Babylon—most of it during the six years before Jerusalem was destroyed in 607 B.C.E., and some of it as late as about 591 B.C.E. Jehovah commissions Ezekiel (then an exile in Babylonia) as watchman Given awe-inspiring vision of Jehovah’s glory, along with cherubs having four faces and accompanied by wheels having rims full of eyes Serious responsibility as watchman Warning prophecies against unfaithful Judah and Jerusalem Ezekiel is directed to enact Jerusalem’s coming siege by lying before an engraved brick for 390 days on his left side and 40 days on his right, while subsisting on meager amounts of food and water The land, including sites used for idolatry, to be desolated; unfaithful people to perish, with a remnant to survive; neither gold nor silver of value in providing escape Because idolatrous practices are carried on in temple precincts, Jehovah determines to express his rage, showing no compassion; only those marked by secretary clothed with linen to be spared Flight of King Zedekiah and people illustrated by Ezekiel’s carrying out luggage through an opening dug in a wall Jehovah’s judgment against false prophets and prophetesses Eagle-vine riddle indicates bitter consequences because people turn to Egypt for help Judgment of Jehovah to be according to individual action and not, as wrongly claimed, merely for sins of fathers Wicked Zedekiah’s crown to be removed, and royal rule in David’s line to cease until coming of the One having the legal right Unfaithful Samaria and Jerusalem represented as two prostitutes, Oholah and Oholibah; Jerusalem to receive severe treatment from her former lovers Besieged Jerusalem compared to heated cooking pot, and the inhabitants to meat inside Prophecies against surrounding nations, a number of which Jehovah foresees as rejoicing over Jerusalem’s downfall Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia to be desolated Tyre to be besieged by Nebuchadnezzar and, in time, to become a desolated site; destruction likened to the sinking of a fine ship with its cargo; Tyrian dynasty to end because of arrogance and treachery Page 3 Index Ezekiel Highlights from the Book of Ezekiel Egypt to be plundered by Nebuchadnezzar in payment for his services as executioner of divine judgment against Tyre; Pharaoh and his crowd compared to a cedar that would