The text gives no clue to who collected and organized his writings into the book we now find in the Old Testament. And the ruin of Judah was rapidly coming. Timeline of Ezekiel | Precept Austin in biblical and theological studies from Western Seminary and loves sharing her passion for the Bible with others. But in Ezekiel 12:13, Ezekiel said of Zedekiah, My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there (emphasis added). I admit that we have had to ignore much that is of great interest, much that is of great worth. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your . Who Was Ezekiel in the Bible? - Christianity Add an RSC shortcut to this device's Homescreen, In the menu, scroll past any icons and tap. So his first answer to the third question is simply: You have greater light than they; therefore, more is required of you. Chapters 20-23 contain more indictments against Israel for breaking Gods laws. In verse 22 the answer was given: Ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men. And then in verse 24 the Lord explained: Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do. Jerusalem was the bride of Jehovah, but there could be no mourning, for her tragedy was just and fully deserved. River prophesied by Ezekiel accidentally discovered in Jerusalem Article Images Copyright 2021 Jupiter Images Corporation. 3. And while this approach has been somewhat frustrating and incomplete, at least I hope you will return at your own leisure to read the book of Ezekiel and to study him in depth, using this introduction to help you find greater satisfaction and fruitfulness. 5 (and 2 Kings 20:6) to the fourteenth year of his reign, or B.C. Two chapters later, God again showed Ezekiel glimpses of His glory and the spirit world (3:12-14, 22-23). Ezekiel prophesied about the judgment of Jerusalem and other nations in Ezekiel 1-32. 609: Wife dies and the final siege of Jerusalem begins. 16:2), Ezekiel married. Note the following structure: God is God. (Ezekiel 11:1720). They are all interdependent and interwoven, but still can be seen as four ways to view Ezekiel. The answer is yes. Print subscriptions available in U.S., Canada and Europe. [6]. 617: Taken captive to Babylon. Isaiah told Hezekiah not to worry, that not a single arrow would be fired against the city. It is a time when the people of ancient Israel and the people of ancient Judah will all come back to lifewith bones, sinews, skin and breathright here on earth. This Spirit imagery is one of Ezekiels unique contributions to the Hebrew Scriptures. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.. In chapter 9 God makes a sharp distinction between the common citizens of Israelcarried along with the tide of sinand those who revere God and His laws and are deeply saddened by the sins of the nation. In that same chapter, by command of the Lord, he had to lie on his side for so many days, symbolizing the captivity, and then he was told to cook his bread with cow dung to symbolize that the people in Judah would eat defiled bread in coming times. Workers were surprised to find a large volume of water flowing into the excavation. We are not looking forward to the reign of Christ in a future millennial kingdom but that reign has already begun and will increase more and more. Note how clearly Ezekiel responds to this second question: Ezekiel 5:8: It is the Lord specifically who executes these judgments. As long as they were faithful, righteous, and committed to the covenant, Moses promised them blessings. Some scholars have speculated that he may have served in the temple in Jerusalem before he was taken captive into Babylon, because in the later chapters it is obvious that he is intimately familiar with the temple rituals and other things that took place there. Our final area of examination is to look at the organization of Ezekiels book. Instead of being faithful to her marriage to Jehovah, Israel played the part of the harlot (verse 15), whoring after false gods. Because these two prophecies seemed to directly contradict each other, Zedekiah rationalized that the two true prophets couldnt be trusted and went on listening to the false prophets. Included in Gods indictments against Jerusalem historically and Israel today are references in chapter 8 to pagan practices that are now entrenched in mainstream Christianity and practiced by many modern-day descendants of Israel. The chosen people are described as an illegitimate child; the Lord not only took her in (verses 39) but adorned her like a bride (verses 1014) and married her himself. Recently, excavations were undertaken in the basement level of the Frumin building on King George Street in the heart of Jerusalem. Jeremiah said Zedekiah would look into the eyes of the king of Babylon, while Ezekiel said he would be taken into the land of the Chaldeans but would not see it, even though he would die there. The capital city, Jerusalem, is within a region just south of the temple. There are different ways to arrange the prophecies given to Ezekiel over the course of his commission. . Make no mistake; this isnt the declaration of fun-loving hippie Jesus who carries little lambs in his arms. Ezekiel 12:13 - The Blind Ruler | ChristianCourier.com In 609 BC Egypt, preferring a weak Assyria to a strong Babylonia, made an alliance with Assyria. We are going to look at these prophesies and the current conditions in the Middle East and analyze this. Ezekiel 16: This chapter contains a scathing denunciation of Israel. Beginning in verse 15, note what the Lord told him: Also the word of the Lord came unto me, saying. It was destroyed, annihilatedit ceased to exist. Ezekiel | Hebrew Prophet & Biblical Visionary | Britannica 2. [6] See also Josephus, Wars of the Jews, 6.4.4. [3] That he was a boy doesnt seem likely, however, for several reasons. In that future timethe Millenniumthe wild nature of animals will cease, and there will be showers of blessings, and trees will yield their fruit (34:25-27). Ezekiel was contemporary with Lehi and could easily have been one of those prophets. But instead of repenting, the people went deeper into apostasy. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. Ezekiel had said that he should not "see Babylon" Ezekiel 12:13. Provo, UT 84602 In chapter 33, Ezekiel gives one of the most profound and clear expositions of why judgments come upon a people. Though Ezekiel doesnt say the thirtieth year of what, some scholars have assumed that maybe it was the thirtieth year of his own life. Ezekiel 11:13 - A Promise of Restoration - Bible Hub . 2:3; 20:39). As noted above, the fate of Jerusalem then types the fate of national Israel in the days prior to the return of Christ. If God is really God, and we are really his chosen people, why is he allowing this to happen? The book of Ezekiel pronounces judgment on both Israel and surrounding nations, but it also provides a vision of the future millennial kingdom that complements and adds to the vision of other Old and New Testament texts. When Nebuchadnezzar came a third time and conquered Jerusalem in 587 BC, his generals captured all of the nobles, including Zedekiah and his sons (except Mulek, who escaped), and brought them north to the encampment of their king. When Ezekiel sees these angels later, in chapter 10, we learn that they are called cherubim. (And their appearance is much different from popular religious depictions of them!). He laid siege to Jerusalem, killed King Jehoiakim, threw his body off the walls, [7] and took three thousand captives. It was in the fifth year of the First Captivity, which had taken place during the reign of King Jehoiachin (Jechoniah). In Chapter 33, a messenger came and gave the news that Jerusalem had been destroyed. Prophecy Who was Ezekiel in the Old Testament? by Paul Luecke Ezekiel's visions and prophecies have been the basis of numerous discussions and speculations. Jesus, the great God-man, is announcing that the Davidic Messiah, Israels shepherd-king, has arrived in his person. God Rules: Ezekiel, Daniel Author: Ray C. Stedman Read the Scripture: Ezekiel, Daniel The two prophecies of Ezekiel and Daniel are found back to back in our English Bibles, and the men who wrote these prophecies were contemporaries during the days of the exile of Judah and Israel. 607: Receives confirmation that Jerusalem has been . After 11 years, the rule of Jehoiakim ended dreadfully and was followed by his son, Jehoiachin (597 B.C. Then in that same chapter, in equally vivid imagery (see verses 4459), the Lord compared Judah to her spiritual sisters, Samaria (that is, the northern kingdom of Israel, now lost and destroyed) and Sodom (the epitome of spiritual corruption). Then Ezekiel sees all these new humans stand up. In the first 24 chapters of Ezekiel, the primary audience is clearly identified: the city of Jerusalem is named 23 times. 1:1, 2; 33:21). But the book of Ezekiel (along with most of the Old Testament) makes us wonder if humans will ever be the kind of people fit for this king. But whatever the cause, Zedekiah and Judah did not repent. 27 Prophecies of the Restoration Ezekiel 25-48 (27-1) Introduction After the fall of Jerusalem, Ezekiel no longer spoke of God's judgments on his contemporaries but of Israel's redemption in the latter days. From these verses, its clear that God himself will rule over his people. Is Jerusalem really going to be destroyed? Therefore turn and live! (18:4, 32). Here the seeds of hope from chapter 11 fully bloom. Ezekiel prophesied during a time of great confusion following Israels exile to Babylon in 597 B.C. The nation and its royal kingship will be miraculously restored! Then follows a specific prophecy of Israels restorationa prophecy of great hope and tremendous promise: Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. . The Babylonian captivity had already started when, in the 3d year of Jehoiakim (605 B.C. Indeed, the Lord said, she was worse than a harlot, for such a woman is unfaithful because her lovers give her money and gifts. To understand Ezekiels prophecies, some historical background is necessary. Ezekiel, in Babylon, was living among captives of the house of Judah. . Home River prophesied by Ezekiel accidentally discovered in Jerusalem. In two or three places in Ezekiel, we learn that while he was in exile the elders of the Jews came to his home to counsel with him (for example, see Ezekiel 8:1; 14:1; 20:1). The words almost smoke even after twentysix centuries. Jeremiahs call was to stay and bear witness of the destruction of Jerusalem. Christopher Wright helps us understand this mystery, The coming ruler will embody all that the rule of Yahweh himself implies. Second, in chapter 4, verse 14, Ezekiel spoke of his youth as though it was long past. So Nebuchadnezzar virtually took the entire upper and middle classes of Jerusalem captive. Article URL: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/prophets/prophets-of-the-bible/ezekiel-and-his-prophecies/. True He is giving his messages to the Jews in exile where he is also among them. That is Jeremiahs prophecy. All Rights Reserved. Paul Luecke and his wife, Ronda, have three married children and have served congregations in Arizona, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Dakota, South Dakota, Canada,Pennsylvania, Kansas and Oklahoma, currently pastoringcongregations in Alabamaand Georgia. But the house of Israel was deported to Assyria long before Ezekiel was born. A former Judean king was among the exiles (the 18-year-old Jehoiachin), and the Babylonians had appointed a puppet king to the throne in Jerusalem (Jehoiachins uncle, Zedekiah). What does it mean to be reconciled to God. Chapters 38-39 foretell an event early in the Millennium, when inhabitants of Israel are dwelling peacefully. To the north is a region appropriated as land and cities of the Levites. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. Jehoiachins successor, Zedekiah, was not better than his predecessors. [5] There is no mention of him having any offspring. The captives from the nation of Judah who were in Babylon were also Israelites because they were descendants of Israel, their forefather. . . The prophecies of Ezekiel fall naturally into 2 parts: the first 33 chapters represent prophecies before the destruction of Jerusalem. The point is that in this New Covenant Gods Spirit is going to give humans new hearts so that they can be the kind of people (a new creation) who love and obey him. Ezekiel prophesied during a time of great confusion following Israel's exile to Babylon in 597 B.C. Ezekiel named himself the priest, the son of Buzi (ch.r 1:3). prophecy - Who is the "David" in Ezekiel 37:25? - Biblical Hermeneutics Brigham Young University Interestingly, the apostle John was likewise shown a glimpse of the heavenly realm and glory of God before he received great prophecies of the future (Revelation 1 and 4). Ezekiel Bible Timeline After all, it wasnt only the kings that sent Israel into exile. Ezekiel, being a priest, was certainly included. In verses 11-16, Ezekiel paints beautiful imagery of Yahweh reinstating himself as Israels shepherd-king. 801-422-6975. [4] James Hastings, ed., Dictionary of the Bible (New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1909), 251. 124 dedicated to Israel and their Captivity. The "Gospel" of Ezekiel - BibleProject He condemns them in verse 4: The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them.". The apostle Peter affirmed the fulfillment of the divine human rule in Jesus during one of the most important sermons ever preached on the day of Pentecost. Thankfully, God likewise promises to rescue this world and transform it into a kingdom of peace, happiness and beauty, such as the world has never seen. In 612 BC, Babylon began to seriously challenge the might of Assyria. I will feed them in justice.. He was among the second group of captives taken to Babylon along with King Jehoiachin about 597 BC. (Jeremiah also served during this time.). Around the city are fields for growing produce. Israel was subject to its national God. ; 2 Kings 24:1). Is the covenant no longer valid? Ezekiels commission would last for some 22 years and involve some challenging assignments. Do you see the stark contrast between verse 4 and verse 16? When the final battle between those two empires began, Egypt moved north to side with Assyria. Who was Ezekiel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org King David died centuries before Ezekiel and is still dead (Acts 2:29). Outside the Bible, he is mentioned only by Josephus (Antiquities x. This is what v. 13. would certainly seem to suggest, i.e., just like Assyria conquered Chaldea and laid it to waste so will they lay waste to Tyre: Behold the land of the Chaldea! Jehoiachin was appointed as the successor king. Note this prophecy: I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed themMy servant David. 25:1 32:32 which shows Gods judgments on the surrounding nations. And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. Can we be certain this prophecy refers to events in the future? Israel, Ezekiel 38, and the End Time Prophetic Convergence. Basically that signaled the end of the Assyrian Empire.
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