Summer Nights 2014 “Profiting from the Prophets” Session 6 - Ezekiel, the Prophet of the Weird The prophet & his visions Ø See the Thompson Chain Reference outline Ø Distinctive reference to God Ø Extensive use of “street theater” style Ø Elaborate visions described 1 The Book of Ezekiel An analysis from J. Sidlow Baxter’s Explore The Book : THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL OPENING VISION AND CALL OF EZEKIEL (Chs. 1-3) 1. THE PRESENT JUDGMENTS ON JERUSALEM (Chs. 4-24) Similes and prophecies of imminent doom (4-7) Vision of temple and city: glory departs (8-11) Further types and messages of judgment (12-24) 2. THE FUTURE DESTINIES OF THE NATIONS (Chs. 25-39) Prospective judgments on Gentile powers (25-32) After present judgments Israel restored (33-37) Gog and Magog destroyed: Israel exalted (38-39) 3. THE FINAL TEMPLE, WORSHIP, AND CITY (Chs. 40-48) The re-erected temple, and new glory (40:1-43:12) The renewed worship, and holy river (43:13-47:12) The redivided land, and city of God(47:13-48:35) Ø Some amazing predictions Ø A closer look at Ezekiel’s three main visions ü The first vision (chs 1-3) - God’s __________________________________ __________________ 2 ü The second vision (chs 8-11) - God’s ______________________________ __________________ Deuteronomy 32:16 (HCSB)6 They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with detestable practices. Exodus 20:2-6 (HCSB) “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. 3 Do not have other gods besides Me. 4 Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God…” ü The third vision (chs 40-48) - God’s _______________________________ Ø Considering prophetic perspectives of future glory 3 A quick glimpse at some of the Minor Prophets Optional assignment for next session: Peruse the book of Daniel to get a feel for his unique style and differences of this prophet from the other major prophets before him. 4 The Book of Ezekiel AUTHOR: Ezekiel, whose name means "God strengthens." DATE WRITTEN: Probably recorded over the 22year ministry of the prophet and completed around 565 B.C. PURPOSE: To relate a sovereign, holy God's condemnation of sinful ways and His continuing efforts to restore His people. He wants them to know that He is the Lord. TO WHOM WRITTEN: Jewish exiles in Babylon and God's people everywhere. MAIN THEMES: This prophecy, like Daniel and Revelation, might be termed a mystery book. It contains much imagery that is difficult to interpret. Nevertheless, many of its teachings are clear and of the highest value. Two primary themes stand out: condemnation (Ezekiel 1-32) and consolation (Ezekiel 33-48). Other CHOICE SELECTIONS of the book are the following: 1. The new heart,—Ezekiel 11:19; 36:25-28. 2. Personal responsibility,—Ezekiel 18:20-32. 3. Untempered mortar,—Ezekiel 13:10-15. 4. The search for a man of integrity,—Ezekiel 22:30. See Jeremiah 5:1. 5. Sentimental hearers,—Ezekiel 33:30-32. 6. Chapters for ministers,—Ezekiel 13; 33; 34. 7. Revival chapter,—Ezekiel 37. OUTSTANDING EVENTS: 1. The departure of the glory of the Lord from the temple,—Ezekiel 10:16-18; 11:23. 2. The fall of Jerusalem,—Ezekiel 33:21. 3. The return of the glory of the Lord prophesied,—Ezekiel 44:4. KEY WORDS: "Then they will know that I am the LORD." KEY VERSES: Ezekiel 36:24-26. SYNOPSIS: I. The Preparation and Call of the Prophet,—Ezekiel 1-3. 1. Son of a priest,—Ezekiel 1:3. 2. Carried away captive to Babylon,—Ezekiel 1:1,—2 Kings 24:11-16. 3. His vision of God,—Ezekiel 1. 4. His call,—Ezekiel 1:3. 5. His commission and empowerment,—Ezekiel 2-3. 6. Spiritual food,—Ezekiel 3:1-3. See Revelation 10:10. 7. His task, a spiritual watchman,—Ezekiel 3:4-11,17-21. 8. Ezekiel claims the highest degree of inspiration. The words "Thus says the Lord God" are reiterated throughout the entire book. II. A Portrayal of the Apostate Condition of Judah before the captivity. 1. Largely visions, warnings, and predictions concerning the guilt of the people and the coming destruction of Jerusalem,—Ezekiel 4-24. 2. Divine judgments upon the seven surrounding nations,—Ezekiel 25-32. III. Chiefly Predictions and Promises concerning the means by which the glory of the nation is to be restored,—Ezekiel 33-48. 1. By heeding the warnings of the spiritual watchmen and repenting of sin,— Ezekiel 33. 2. By displacing the false shepherds; the coming of the good shepherd, who will feed the flock,—Ezekiel 34. 3. By a national revival and a spiritual resurrection in the valley of dry bones,— Ezekiel 36,—Ezekiel 37. 4. By the overthrow of the enemies of the nation,—Ezekiel 38,—Ezekiel 39. 5. By the building of a new sanctuary,—Ezekiel 40-42. 6. By the returning of the glory of the Lord,—Ezekiel 43:4-5; 44:4. 7. By the ministry of a loyal priesthood,—Ezekiel 44:9-31. 8. By Life-giving waters issuing from the sanctuary,—Ezekiel 47. See Revelation 22:1-2. PROMINENT PEOPLE: Ezekiel, Israel's leaders, Ezekiel's wife, Nebuchadnezzar, Prince of Tyre. Taken from the Thompson Chain Reference Bible. EZEKIEL’S DATED PROPHECIES Ezekiel’s Groups of Dated Modern Calendar Passages Calendar by Messages Year Year First 1:1-3:15 5 593 Second 3:16-7:27 5 593 Third 8:1-19:14 6 592 Fourth 20:1-23:49 7 591 Fifth 24:1-25:17 9 588 Sixth 26:1-28:26 11 587 or 586 Seventh 29:1-16 10 587 Eighth 29:17-30:19 27 571 Ninth 30:20-26 11 587 Tenth 31:1-18 11 587 Eleventh 32:1-16 12 585 Twelfth 32:17-33:20 12 585 Thirteenth 33:21-39:29 12 585 Fourteenth 40:1-48:35 25 573 Based on calculations by Dr. Thomas Constable .