Ezekiel Celebrates Easter
Notes
Transcript
The Best of Times-The Worst of Times
The Best of Times-The Worst of Times
Ezekiel was a prophet during some of the darkest days Israel had ever faced
Ezekiel was a prophet during some of the darkest days Israel had ever faced
Judah was the only territory left and they had been led by nearly a century of useless kings
Judah was the only territory left and they had been led by nearly a century of useless kings
The Babylonians had become the power nation and they didn’t just kill and pillage, they took into captivity the brightest and the best from the nations they conquered.
The Babylonians had become the power nation and they didn’t just kill and pillage, they took into captivity the brightest and the best from the nations they conquered.
Ezekiel was one of those taken into captivity. He became the lone voice of God both to those in captivity in Babylon but also a voice for those left in Judah under the rule of the Babylonians.
Ezekiel was one of those taken into captivity. He became the lone voice of God both to those in captivity in Babylon but also a voice for those left in Judah under the rule of the Babylonians.
The Message of Ezekiel was unique among the prophets.
The Message of Ezekiel was unique among the prophets.
At times he was kind of historical
At times he was kind of historical
Other times he was almost architectural
Other times he was almost architectural
Then there was the story telling narratives
Then there was the story telling narratives
But the most recognizable were the prophetic visions and that is where we see the a vision in which Ezekiel celebrates Easter.
But the most recognizable were the prophetic visions and that is where we see the a vision in which Ezekiel celebrates Easter.
The valley of Dry Bones
The valley of Dry Bones
Read Ezekiel 37:1
Read Ezekiel 37:1
The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones.
The hand of the Lord was on Ezekiel and brought him to a disturbing place
The hand of the Lord was on Ezekiel and brought him to a disturbing place
Read Ezekiel 37:2
Read Ezekiel 37:2
He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out.
The playful quality of God comes out
The playful quality of God comes out
Read Ezekiel 37:3
Read Ezekiel 37:3
Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?”
“O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.”
Ezekiel puts the ball back in God’s court
Ezekiel puts the ball back in God’s court
Read Ezekiel 37:4-6
Read Ezekiel 37:4-6
Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ”
This had to be the deadest church anyone ever preached to
This had to be the deadest church anyone ever preached to
Read Ezekiel 37:7-9
Read Ezekiel 37:7-9
So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them.
Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’ ”
The dry bones come to life
The dry bones come to life
Ezekiel would have been smarter if he just settled in and adjusted to the life style the Babylonians offered
Ezekiel would have been smarter if he just settled in and adjusted to the life style the Babylonians offered
We find out from sources like Daniel that the captives were treated pretty well.
We find out from sources like Daniel that the captives were treated pretty well.
Ezekiel would have been considered a high profile captive and probably offered a fairly comfortable life.
Ezekiel would have been considered a high profile captive and probably offered a fairly comfortable life.
But he couldn’t settle. He was driven by a higher purpose, following the directions of God and sharing these with the the Israel remnant.
But he couldn’t settle. He was driven by a higher purpose, following the directions of God and sharing these with the the Israel remnant.
How about us? How often do we settle and become comfortable with the captivity which the world has surrounded us with?
How about us? How often do we settle and become comfortable with the captivity which the world has surrounded us with?
Why should we buck the system when we can fit in with those around us and learn to be a new kind of comfortable?
Why should we buck the system when we can fit in with those around us and learn to be a new kind of comfortable?
Leadership that we feel we can’t change or go up against
Leadership that we feel we can’t change or go up against
Events like COVID-19 changes our focus and why resist it.
Events like COVID-19 changes our focus and why resist it.
It seems that we are getting along just fine without God.
It seems that we are getting along just fine without God.
Ezekiel chose to follow God and we need to make that choice also.
Ezekiel chose to follow God and we need to make that choice also.
Ezekiel was mocked, persecuted, resented for protesting against false prophets and corrupt leaders
Ezekiel was mocked, persecuted, resented for protesting against false prophets and corrupt leaders
When we chose to follow Christ over the world’s lures, we may face similar obstacles.
When we chose to follow Christ over the world’s lures, we may face similar obstacles.
We must remember this what the world gives us may seem great but only Jesus Christ gives us the “true light”
We must remember this what the world gives us may seem great but only Jesus Christ gives us the “true light”
God’s message is for the hopeless and the churches that may seem dead but can be brought back to life
God’s message is for the hopeless and the churches that may seem dead but can be brought back to life
Read Ezekiel 37:10-13
Read Ezekiel 37:10-13
So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.
Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.’ Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the Lord.
Read John 1:9
Read John 1:9
The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
Easter is the promise that through our Lord’s resurrection, death hast lost its sting and its victory.
Easter is the promise that through our Lord’s resurrection, death hast lost its sting and its victory.
This applies to all those areas of our experience where death makes its claims.
This applies to all those areas of our experience where death makes its claims.
At any such place faith fills our souls with unconquerable conviction that Christ has won.
At any such place faith fills our souls with unconquerable conviction that Christ has won.
It allows us to participate in His life and to become His ally, in the unceasing battle, against death, whatever form it takes.
It allows us to participate in His life and to become His ally, in the unceasing battle, against death, whatever form it takes.
As we struggle, search God’s word, and pray we can be certain the the valley is never so dark and the bones never so dry that the battle is lost.
As we struggle, search God’s word, and pray we can be certain the the valley is never so dark and the bones never so dry that the battle is lost.
God’s Easter is always winning.
God’s Easter is always winning.
