Ezekiel 1-3: An Introduction to Ezekiel and the
Prophet’s Call
Introduction
1. Ezekiel may be the least familiar of the
major prophets, but its message is as powerful and
practical as any.
2. Ezekiel helps us understand true faith, devotion to
duty, and the personal responsibility God demands of men.
3. Warning: Studying Ezekiel will force you to
confront the pettiness of our usual complaints and hardships.
I.
An Introduction to the Prophet Ezekiel
A.
The Book
1.
The book of Ezekiel is the third longest book in the Bible after Psalms
and Jeremiah.
a)
The book begins in 593 B.C.; the latest date found in the book is 22
years later in 571 B.C.
b)
By comparison, Daniel began prophesying 12 years earlier and lasted 35
years longer.
2.
Ezekiel is regarded as a difficult book to master; hence it is frequently
neglected in Bible classes.
a)
Ezekiel’s difficulty is rooted in its literary genre; Ezekiel is largely
apocalyptic.
(1)
Apocalyptic literature uses vivid imagery conveyed in visions to deliver
a message.
(2)
Not every element is necessarily intended to represent an aspect of the
lesson.
(3)
The complex and awesome nature of these visions can be discouraging to
students.
b)
Rather than getting bogged down in details, the reader should visualize,
imagine, and focus.
(1)
Visualize what is being described including the sight, sound and taste.
(2)
Imagine what the experience would be like, putting yourself in Ezekiel’s
shoes.
(3)
Focus on the main idea; the book interprets the symbols, revealing the
actual lesson.
3.
The book divides naturally into three main sections:
a)
Ch.1-24: The Judgment of Judah and Jerusalem (Prior to Jerusalem’s
Fall)
b)
Ch.25-32: The Judgment of the Nations (During Jerusalem’s Siege)
c)
Ch.33-48: The Restoration of Israel (After Jerusalem’s
Fall)
B.
The Background
1.
Ezekiel was among the captives carried to Babylon with King Jehoiachin in
597 B.C.
a)
This was the second wave of prisoners that were taken from Judah to
Babylon.
b)
Jerusalem was finally destroyed eleven years later in 586 B.C.
2.
The background to Ezekiel is similar to that of Jeremiah and Daniel who
were contemporaries.
a)
Jeremiah preached to the residents of Jerusalem during Judah’s final days
as a nation.
b)
Ezekiel preached to the captives in Babylon before and after Jerusalem’s
fall.
c)
Daniel prophesied primarily to royalty in Babylon, serving as an
administrative official.
3.
The writings of these prophets bear a number of similarities and
differences.
a)
Ezekiel and Jeremiah are similar in message; Babylon would win; Jerusalem
would fall.
b)
Ezekiel and Daniel are similar in genre; both books contain apocalyptic
language.
C.
The Man
1.
If we understand 1:1-3 correctly, Ezekiel was thirty years old when
called to prophesy. 1:1-3
a)
He would have been captured at 25 and born in 621, about the time the
law-book was found.
b)
Ezekiel was a priest, but he would be remembered for his contributions as
a prophet.
2.
Ezekiel was married, but there is no indication that his marriage
produced any children.
a)
Perhaps the most powerful scene in the book concerns the death of
Ezekiel’s wife.
(24:15-27)
b)
As you study the book, consider the impact the prophet’s duty would have
had on his wife.
3.
Ezekiel was a man of tremendous faith, courage, and responsibility.
a)
His duty required him to endure many unpleasant things; he was hated; he
was dismissed.
b)
Ezekiel never wavered; even when his pain must have been crushing, he
spoke God’s word.
D.
The Message
1.
His message was two-fold: prior to Jerusalem’s fall – Condemnation;
afterwards – Restoration.
a)
Like Jeremiah, Ezekiel had the unenviable task of convincing hostile
people of God’s intent.
b)
Both prophets preached the causes for Judah’s judgment and affirmed it
would be intense.
2.
Ezekiel performed more action prophecy than any other prophet; he was a
sign to the people.
II.
Ezekiel’s Call to Ministry (1-3)
A.
The Chariot of God (1:1-28)
1.
The Cloud (1:4)
a)
Remember that we must allow the book to interpret itself: Visualize,
Imagine, Focus. 1:1
b)
As the “vision of God” begins, Ezekiel sees an awesome, fiery, flashing
cloud. 1:4
2.
The Cherubim (1:5-14)
a)
The living creatures are later identified in the book as cherubim.
1:5-12; 10:20
b)
These beings may represent creation as masters of earth, wildlife, sky,
and domestic beasts.
3.
The Wheels (1:15-21)
a)
The wheels were enormous; their rims full of eyes; a wheel beside each
creature. 1:15-21
b)
The wheel within a wheel design enabled them to move in any direction
without turning.
4.
The Expanse (1:22-25)
a)
The expanse or firmament described was a platform of some sort, like
crystal. 1:22-25
b)
The platform was above the creatures’ wings, and a voice spoke from the
platform.
5.
The Throne (1:26-28)
a)
Something like a throne rested on the platform with someone like a man on
it. 1:26-28
b)
His upper body was amber with fire around and within; his lower body was
all fire.
B.
The Call of God (2:1-3:3)
1.
The Mission (2:1-5)
a)
Ezekiel fell on his face, but he was commanded to rise and strengthened
by the Spirit. 2:1-5
b)
God told Ezekiel the nature of his audience: they were persistently
stubborn and rebellious.
c)
God told Ezekiel the nature of his mission: to preach God’s word
regardless of the response.
d)
The word was not preached for the sake of conversion, it was preached for
the sake of truth.
2.
The Message (2:5-3:3)
a)
Though Ezekiel ministered among thorns and scorpions, he was not to be
afraid. 2:6
b)
His audience would not listen, but the prophet was to receive God’s word.
2:7-10
c)
The preacher had to consume God’s word and be filled with it before he
could preach. 3:1-3
d)
It was not an optimistic start to a preaching ministry, but it was the
task God gave Ezekiel.
C.
The Commission of God (3:4-27)
1.
The Preacher (3:4-11)
a)
If Ezekiel had been sent to foreigners, they would have listened to his
message. 3:4-11
b)
But Israel would not listen; Jehovah’s people rejected God and His
servants. Mt. 12:38-42
c)
God would harden Ezekiel as Israel hardened
their hearts. (Ezekiel=God
hardens/strengthens)
2.
The Observer (3:12-15)
a)
Was Ezekiel unhappy because of his task or angry and indignant at
Israel’s sin? 3:12-15
b)
Ezekiel was overwhelmed by what he had seen and heard; he sat astonished
seven days.
c)
This may be astonishment at his task or an effort to empathize with his
audience.
3.
The Watchman (3:16-21)
a)
Ezekiel’s task was to warn the wicked and the righteous man that erred.
3:16-21
b)
This passage clearly refutes the doctrine of “once saved, always saved.”
3:20
c)
Guilt is not removed by a preacher’s negligence, but the preacher will
answer for his silence.
4.
The Prisoner (3:22-27)
a)
Ezekiel left Tel-Abib and went to the plain
where he again saw the vision of God. 3:22-27
b)
Ezekiel would be constrained by the demands of his preaching ministry.
c)
He would be cut off from his people, bound as if by ropes, and made mute
by Jehovah.
d)
Until Jerusalem fell, Ezekiel could only speak the oracles of Jehovah.
24:24-27; 33:21-22
e)
Imagine being unable to speak except for inspired preaching for seven
years.
Conclusion
1. Ezekiel did not experience Jeremiah’s physical
persecution, but the hardships of his ministry were no less.
2. Imagine receiving such a task. How would you handle it?
Can we be less faithful than Ezekiel and be saved?
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