Ezekiel, The Book of The Prophet

[He. Yechzqel or Yehezqel “God will strengthen”]

Courtesy of Alexander Scourby(Bible Audio)The Book of Ezekiel

Background: This prophet was exiled to Babylon and his work was among the exile there. He may have been a priest and a key theme of the book is God’s holiness. The book is full of strange symbolism, visions and accounts of how the prophets often presented his message through drama. Roughly, the first33chs covey a similar message to that of Jeremiah and at similar period: Jerusalem will be captured by Babylon and the temple will be destroyed. 

Once this had taken place Ezekiel’s message was one of comfort (33-39): God will bring back his people to their own country one day. Meanwhile, in Babylon they will learn that God can be worshipped even though there is no temple or they cannot offer sacrifice. Ch40-48 are detailed vision of the future which centers on the temple.

Author: Ezekiel (1:1-3) priestly point of view

Date and Location: Tel-Abib(1:1; 3:15,24)

Purpose:
*To explain to the captive Jews in Babylon
*Their captivity is due to lack of true holiness
*God will restore them to true holliness

Unique Features:
*Uses more visions, visual-aid and attention grabbers (like shaving the head) and word pictures than any OT writer. He tells 6 parables (15,16,17:1-22; 22-24; 19:1-9; 23) Like haggai, he give dates for his prophecies, underscoring their accuracy.

Comparison:
2S
*Presents King David and God covenant with him, Ez. Speaks of David’s descendant ruling the millennium (34:23; 37:24)
*David fought to keep all tribes, Ez. During the millennium there will be no disunity
*Both discuss preparations for a temple (Solomon’s) and Ez. (Millennial)

Haggai
*Millennial temple (40-42; Hg2:9)
*Speaks of earthquake (38:19 Hg2:6)

Revelation
^Both Jn and Ez saw future events
^Both Ez (2:8-3:3) and jn (Rv10) instructed to swallow a scroll containing words they were to proclaim
^Gog and Magog (38,39) provides the imagery for John’s description of the final rebellion
^John’s vision of the new Jerusalem and river of life (Re21:1-22:5)has similarities in Ez (47:1-12)

Abbreviations: Ezek./ Ezk./ Eze./ Ez

MV: Scourge of the tongue/ cursing, Jb5:21
Bib1Yr: Lk10, 11Scoldings