Old Testament

The Book Of Ezekiel: The Watchman's Vision of God's Glory

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Summary of Ezekiel

The Book of Ezekiel contains the prophecies of a priest exiled to Babylon before the final destruction of Jerusalem. Through dramatic visions, symbolic actions, and direct oracles, Ezekiel confronts the sins of Judah, explains the reasons for God's judgment, and offers a powerful vision of future restoration, culminating in the return of God's glorious presence to a new temple.

Ezekiel 36:26

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

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Hope for restoration and the enduring presence of the divine amidst judgment and exile.
Hope for restoration and the enduring presence of the divine amidst judgment and exile.

Overview of Ezekiel

Ezekiel's ministry is clearly divided by the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Before the city's fall, he acts as a prosecutor, demonstrating the justice of God's impending judgment. After the city falls, he becomes a shepherd who offers hope that God will restore His people, not only to their land but also to a right relationship with Him through inner transformation.

Embracing divine justice that leads to profound hope and inner renewal.
Embracing divine justice that leads to profound hope and inner renewal.

Structure of Ezekiel

Prophecies of Judgment Against Judah (1 - 24)

Ezekiel's Call & Commission (1 - 3) → Symbolic Acts of Judgment (4 - 7) → Vision of Jerusalem's Sin & Glory's Departure (8 - 11) → Parables of Exile & Judgment (12 - 24)

This section, delivered before Jerusalem's fall, details the depth of Judah's idolatry and injustice. Ezekiel's call is marked by a stunning vision of God's glory, which later is seen departing from the temple, symbolizing the removal of God's protection and the certainty of judgment.

  1. Ezekiel 1 - What Does Ezekiel 1 Teach Us?: The Unstoppable Glory of God
  2. Ezekiel 2 - A Deep Dive into Ezekiel 2: Empowered to Speak Hard Truths
  3. Ezekiel 3 - Insights from Ezekiel 3: The Watchman's Heavy Calling
  4. Ezekiel 4 - What is the Message of Ezekiel 4?: A Living Sign of Judgment
  5. Ezekiel 5 - A Deep Dive into Ezekiel 5: A Warning Written in Hair
  6. Ezekiel 6 - What Happens in Ezekiel 6?: Tearing Down the High Places
  7. Ezekiel 7 - Why Is Ezekiel 7 Important?: The End Has Finally Arrived
  8. Ezekiel 8 - What is the Message of Ezekiel 8?: God Sees Behind Closed Doors
  9. Ezekiel 9 - The Message of Ezekiel 9: God Marks the Faithful
  10. Ezekiel 10 - The Real Meaning of Ezekiel 10: God's Glory Leaves the Temple
  11. Ezekiel 11 - The Real Meaning of Ezekiel 11: New Hearts and Returning Hope
  12. Ezekiel 12 - The Message of Ezekiel 12: No More Delays for Judgment
  13. Ezekiel 13 - What Happens in Ezekiel 13?: Exposing the Lies of False Peace
  14. Ezekiel 14 - The Message of Ezekiel 14: The Heart's Hidden Idols
  15. Ezekiel 15 - What Happens in Ezekiel 15?: The Purpose of the Vine
  16. Ezekiel 16 - The Message of Ezekiel 16: From Abandoned to Beloved
  17. Ezekiel 17 - Insights from Ezekiel 17: Faithfulness in a Breaking World
  18. Ezekiel 18 - What is Ezekiel 18 About?: Your Life, Your Choice
  19. Ezekiel 19 - What is Ezekiel 19 About?: A Funeral Song for Kings
  20. Ezekiel 20 - Understanding Ezekiel 20: Faithfulness for His Name
  21. Ezekiel 21 - The Message of Ezekiel 21: The Sword of Divine Justice
  22. Ezekiel 22 - Insights from Ezekiel 22: Justice for the Bloody City
  23. Ezekiel 24 - What is Ezekiel 24 About?: The Day of No Return

Oracles of Judgment Against the Nations (25 - 32)

Against Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia (25) → Against Tyre (26 - 28) → Against Egypt (29 - 32)

Positioned between the prophecies of Judah's fall and its restoration, these oracles demonstrate God's sovereignty over all nations. They are judged for their pride and their hostile actions against God's people, affirming that the Lord is the God of the whole earth.

  1. Ezekiel 25 - What Happens in Ezekiel 25?: God Judges the Neighboring Nations
  2. Ezekiel 26 - What Does Ezekiel 26 Mean?: The Fall of Prideful Tyre
  3. Ezekiel 27 - The Real Meaning of Ezekiel 27: The Sinking of Pride
  4. Ezekiel 28 - What Happens in Ezekiel 28?: Pride Falls Before God's Glory
  5. Ezekiel 29 - Insights from Ezekiel 29: God Judges Pride and False Security
  6. Ezekiel 30 - The Meaning of Ezekiel 30: The Fall of Earthly Pride
  7. Ezekiel 31 - What is the Message of Ezekiel 31?: The Danger of Prideful Heights
  8. Ezekiel 32 - The Meaning of Ezekiel 32: The Fall of Earthly Pride

Visions of Future Restoration and Hope (33 - 48)

The Watchman's Renewed Call (33) → The Good Shepherd (34) → The Valley of Dry Bones (37) → The New Temple & Return of God's Glory (40 - 48)

After news of Jerusalem's destruction arrives, Ezekiel's message turns to hope. He prophesies that God will regather His scattered people, give them new life, and establish a new covenant. The book culminates in an elaborate vision of a new, perfect temple where God's glory returns to dwell with His people forever.

  1. Ezekiel 33 - What is Ezekiel 33 About?: The Watchman's Call to Life
  2. Ezekiel 34 - A Deep Dive into Ezekiel 34: The Good Shepherd Rescues
  3. Ezekiel 35 - What Can We Learn from Ezekiel 35?: Justice for Ancient Rivalries
  4. Ezekiel 36 - What is the Message of Ezekiel 36?: A New Heart and Home
  5. Ezekiel 37 - A Deep Dive into Ezekiel 37: Hope for the Dry Bones
  6. Ezekiel 38 - Why Is Ezekiel 38 Important?: God's Victory Over Every Enemy
  7. Ezekiel 39 - What is Ezekiel 39 About?: God's Victory and Total Restoration
  8. Ezekiel 40 - The Real Meaning of Ezekiel 40: A Blueprint for Restoration
  9. Ezekiel 41 - What Does Ezekiel 41 Teach Us?: Inside the Holy Sanctuary
  10. Ezekiel 42 - A Deep Dive into Ezekiel 42: Sacred Spaces and Holy Boundaries
  11. Ezekiel 43 - Insights from Ezekiel 43: God's Glory Returns Home
  12. Ezekiel 44 - What is the Message of Ezekiel 44?: Holiness in God's Presence
  13. Ezekiel 45 - What Can We Learn from Ezekiel 45?: Holy Land and Honest Living
  14. Ezekiel 46 - What Does Ezekiel 46 Teach Us?: Orderly Worship and Just Leadership
  15. Ezekiel 47 - Insights from Ezekiel 47: The River of Life Flows
  16. Ezekiel 48 - A Deep Dive into Ezekiel 48: The Lord Is There

How to Read Ezekiel

Read Ezekiel as a book of deep theological vision. Pay attention to the dates provided, as they anchor the prophecies in the historical crisis of the Babylonian exile. Do not get lost in the details of the strange visions. Instead, ask what they reveal about the character of God - His holiness, justice, and faithfulness.

  • The departure and return of God's glory: God's presence leaves the defiled temple (Ch. 10-11) and returns to a purified temple (Ch. 43), framing the entire prophecy.
  • Individual responsibility: The repeated phrase 'the soul who sins shall die' (Ch. 18) emphasizes personal accountability before God.
  • 'They will know that I am the LORD': This phrase occurs over 60 times, highlighting God's ultimate purpose in both judgment and restoration - to reveal His own name and character.

Key Takeaway

Ezekiel reveals a God whose holiness is so absolute that He must judge sin, even among His own people, by removing His glorious presence. His faithfulness is so deep that He promises to restore His people not only to their land but also spiritually, giving them new hearts and dwelling among them forever, so the whole world will know He is the LORD.

Recognizing that divine judgment is a pathway to ultimate restoration and eternal communion.
Recognizing that divine judgment is a pathway to ultimate restoration and eternal communion.

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