Ezekiel Introduction

Starter Quote

Isaiah–Ezekiel Interpretive Challenges

The church father Jerome commented,

As for Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel, who can fully understand them or adequately explain them?… The beginning and ending of Ezekiel, the third of the four, are involved in so great obscurity that like the commencement of Genesis they are not studied by the Hebrews until they are thirty years old.

Background Information

Author

Ezekiel

Thirty years old when the visions begin

Ezekiel’s name means “Yahweh has strengthened”

Ezekiel is an exiled priest in Babylon taken in 597 BC and sent to the Nippur region with other Jews

Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry occurs during the ages he would have served as a priest - 30-50

Numbers 4:1–3 ESV

The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their clans and their fathers’ houses, from thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who can come on duty, to do the work in the tent of meeting.

Date

593-571 BC

Contemporary Prophets

Jeremiah

Daniel

Obadiah

Audience

Jews in exile

Genre

Visionary

Fantasy writing that is symbolic, but end up being pictures of real life

Oracle

Pronouncements of judgment, salvation, and blessings to a nation, group, or individual people

Apocalyptic

End times or eschatological visions

Outline of Book

Ezekiel 1-24 - Oracles against God’s People

Ezekiel 25-32 - Oracles against all the Nations

Ezekiel 33-48 - Restoration of God’s People

Purpose of Ezekiel

The purpose of Ezekiel is Yahweh rebukes His people for their sinfulness and He promises to restore His glory so all nations will know He is the one true Lord. In short, the purpose of Ezekiel is the glory of God.

Theology

The Glory of God

God’s Holiness

The Depravity of Humanity

Quotes on the book of Ezekiel

ESV Expository Commentary

The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 1–24 A. Ezekiel’s Vision of God

In no other prophet does the wonder and grandeur of God receive such eloquent and sublime expression as in Isaiah. In this book, Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, is not only the one and only God; he is also the omnificent Creator, the omnipotent Sustainer, the omniregent Director, and omniscient Judge of the universe. The universalism and cosmic interest of Isaiah stand in sharpest contrast to the parochialism of Ezekiel. From beginning to end, the God that confronts the reader in this book is first and foremost the God of Israel, not only passionate about his relationship with his people but also willing to stake his reputation on their fate or fortune. He does indeed sit as cosmic king on his throne in the heavens, and through his heavenly chariot his rule extends to the farthest corners of the earth (1:1–28); but his chosen residence is in Jerusalem, in the land of Canaan/Israel (chs. 4–48), among his own people (48:35). Even

New International Commentary on the Old Testament

The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 1–24 A. Ezekiel’s Vision of God

In no other prophet does the wonder and grandeur of God receive such eloquent and sublime expression as in Isaiah. In this book, Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, is not only the one and only God; he is also the omnificent Creator, the omnipotent Sustainer, the omniregent Director, and omniscient Judge of the universe.

Purpose of Ezekiel

The purpose of Ezekiel is Yahweh rebukes His people for their sinfulness and He promises to restore His glory so all nations will know He is the one true Lord. In short, the purpose of Ezekiel is the glory of God.