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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadVernon McGee Thru The Bible: 26 - EZEKIEL
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WRITER: Ezekiel
Ezekiel was a priest (Eze_1:3) but never served in that office, as he was still a young man when he was taken captive during the reign of Jehoiachin (2Ki_24:10-16). Daniel was taken captive in the first captivity during Jehoiakim’s reign, about eight years before Ezekiel was taken captive.
Ezekiel was contemporary with Jeremiah and Daniel. Jeremiah was an old man who spoke to the remnant that remained in the land; Daniel spoke in the court of the king of Babylon; Ezekiel spoke to the captives who had been brought to the rivers of Babylon. While the other captives wept when they remembered Zion, Ezekiel exulted in the greatest visions ever given to any prophet.
HIS MESSAGE:
His message was the most spiritual of the prophets, as he dealt more with the person of God. Someone has said, “Ezekiel is the prophet of the Spirit, as Isaiah is the prophet of the Son, and Jeremiah the prophet of the Father.”
During the first years of the captivity, the false prophets said that the people would be returned to Jerusalem and that the city would not be destroyed. It was not until the final deportation, during Zedekiah’s reign, that the city was destroyed — some eleven years after Ezekiel was taken captive.
Jeremiah had sent a message to Babylon (Jeremiah 29) saying that the city would be destroyed. Ezekiel confirmed this message and warned the people that they must turn to God before they could return to Jerusalem.
Ezekiel began his ministry five years after his captivity, when he was about 30 years old.
HIS METHOD:
In many ways he spoke in the darkest days of the nation. He stood at the bottom of the valley in the darkest corner. He had to meet the false hope given by the false prophets and the indifference and the despondency begotten in the days of sin and disaster. The people would not listen to him or his message. Therefore, he resorted to a new method. Instead of speaking in parables, he acted them out (Eze_24:24). We have had “flagpole sitters” and “walkathons” in our day, which attract the attention of the public. This sort of thing was the method of Ezekiel and is indicative of a day of decay.
HIS MEANING:
Ezekiel was the prophet of the glory of the Lord. Three prophets of Israel spoke when they were out of the land: Ezekiel, Daniel, and John. Each wrote an apocalypse. Although they used highly symbolic language, they saw the brightest light and held the highest hope. Ezekiel saw the Shekinah glory of the Lord leave Solomon’s temple, and he saw the return of the glory of the Lord which was projected into the future during the kingdom.
The meaning of Ezekiel is seen in the coming glory during the kingdom. Ezekiel looked beyond the sufferings of Christ to “the glory that should follow” (1Pe_1:11).
OUTLINE:
I. Glory of the Lord; commission of the prophet, Chapters 1 — 7
A. Display of the glory, Chapter 1
B. Prophet’s call and enduement with power for the office, Chapter 2
C. Prophet’s preparation; office as watchman, Chapter 3
D. Judgment of Jerusalem, Chapter 4
E. Sign of prophet shaving hair, Chapter 5
F. Sword to fall upon Jerusalem; remnant to be saved, Chapter 6
G. Prophecy of final destruction of Jerusalem, Chapter 7
II. Glory of the Lord; complete captivity of Jerusalem and Israel; departure of the glory, Chapters 8 — 24
A. Vision of the glory; temple defilement by idolatry explains its destruction, Chapter 8
B. Shekinah glory prepares to leave temple, Chapter 9
C. Shekinah glory fills holy place; leaves the temple, Chapter 10
D. Prophecy against rulers of Jerusalem, Chapter 11
E. Ezekiel enacts destruction of Jerusalem, Chapter 12
F. Prophecy against pseudo-prophets and prophetesses, Chapter 13
G. Prophecy against idolatry of elders; certain destruction of Jerusalem, Chapter 14
H. Vision of the vine, Chapter 15
I. Jerusalem likened to abandoned baby adopted by God, Chapter 16
J. Riddle of two eagles, Chapter 17
K. Wages of sin is death; Jerusalem is the awful example, Chapter 18
L. Elegy of Jehovah over princes of Israel, Chapter 19
M. Review of Israel’s long history of sins; future judgment and restoration, Chapter 20
N. King of Babylon to remove last king of Davidic line until Messiah comes, Chapter 21
O. Review of abominations of Jerusalem, Chapter 22
P. Parable of two sisters — Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem), Chapter 23
Q. Parable of the boiling pot, Chapter 24
III. Glory of the Lord; judgment of nations, Chapters 25 — 32
A. Against Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Chapter 25
B. Against Tyre, Chapters 26 — 28
C. Against Egypt, Chapters 29 — 32
IV. Glory of the Lord and coming kingdom, Chapters 33 — 48
A. Recommission of the prophet, Chapters 33, 34
B. Restoration of Israel, Chapters 35, 36
C. Resurrection of Israel, Chapter 37
D. Repudiation of Gog and Magog, Chapters 38, 39
E. Rebuilt temple, Chapters 40 — 42
F. Return of the glory of the Lord, Chapters 43 — 48
COMMENT:
I. Glory of the Lord; commission of the prophet, Chapters 1 — 7
A. Display of the glory, Chapter 1
Eze_1:1 — “I saw visions of God” — compare Ezekiel to the other captives who said, “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion” (Psa_137:1). What a contrast — visions and weeping!
Eze_1:3-28 — Ezekiel has the most profound vision of the glory of God. “If anyone asks whether the vision is lucid, I confess its obscurity, and that I can scarcely understand it” (Calvin). It is not a vision of this mechanical age — this is not the airplane or the missile. It is not a vision of the person of God — He is not seen here. It is a vision of the presence of God; it is a theophany. The God of glory is riding triumphantly in His own chariot, unseen by mortal man. Several striking features are observable:
1. Flashing light (Eze_1:4, Eze_1:13-14), brighter than the sun, similar to an atomic explosion: “Our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29); “God is light” (1Jo_1:5); when Christ confronted Paul on the road to Damascus, he saw “a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun” (Act_26:13).
2. The glory of God (Eze_1:28). His presence is there. “No man hath seen God at any time” (Joh_1:18). Ezekiel saw more than did Moses, David, Isaiah, or Daniel.
3. Vision of cherubim (Eze_1:5-12, Eze_1:15-25). These living creatures resemble the description of cherubim.
4. Wheels (Eze_1:15-16) — ceaseless activity and energy of divine power. It is God moving forward; His providence.
5. Intelligent purpose — “face of a man” (Eze_1:10) and “eyes”
Eze_1:18) are anthropomorphic terms, ascribing to God bodily attributes. “Appearance of a man” is prophetic of incarnation (Eze_1:26).
6. Four faces (Eze_1:10, cf. Rev_4:6-8) remind us of the four Gospels in which Christ is revealed in four aspects: in His kingship — symbolized by the lion (Matthew); as a servant — symbolized by the ox (Mark); in His perfect humanity — symbolized by the face of a man (Luke); in His deity — symbolized by the flying eagle (John).
B. Prophet’s call and enduement with power for the office, Chapter 2
Eze_2:1-2 — The Holy Spirit comes upon Ezekiel in preparation for his office.
Eze_2:3-5 — The prophet’s call — he is to speak for God, but will not be heard or obeyed.
C. Prophet’s preparation; office as watchman, Chapter 3
Eze_3:7-8 — God warns of the reaction to and the reception of the message of Ezekiel.
Eze_2:9-14 — God prepares Ezekiel for the resistance of his people.
Eze_2:15 — He is a prophet to the captives.
Eze_2:17-19 — As the watchman on the city walls, Ezekiel is responsible for giving God’s warning.
D. Judgment of Jerusalem, Chapter 4
(Jerusalem is not destroyed at this time.)
Eze_4:1 — Sign of the tile.
Eze_4:4-5 — In symbolic action, the prophet lies 390 days on his left side and eats defiled bread.
Eze_4:6 — The prophet lies forty days on his right side (one day equals one year), depicting the coming siege.
E. Sign of prophet shaving hair, Chapter 5
Eze_5:1-5 — The shaved off hair, divided into three parts, depicts the three judgments of Jerusalem.
Eze_5:12, Eze_5:17 — The judgments are spelled out.
F. Sword to fall upon Jerusalem; remnant to be saved, Chapter 6
Eze_6:8 — The remnant.
G. Prophecy of final destruction of Jerusalem, Chapter 7
Eze_7:12 — “The time is come.”
II. Glory of the Lord; complete captivity of Jerusalem and Israel; departure of the glory, Chapters 8 — 24
A. Vision of the glory; temple defilement by idolatry explains its destruction, Chapter 8
Eze_8:2-4 — The vision transports Ezekiel back to Jerusalem. God’s glory appears in the temple at Jerusalem.
Eze_8:16-18 — The exposure of the idolatry practiced in the temple explains why God will destroy it.
B. Shekinah glory prepares to leave temple, Chapter 9
Eze_9:2 — Six men (angels) execute judgment.
Eze_9:3 — The Shekinah glory leaves the cherubim and moves to the threshold of the temple.
Eze_9:4 — A remnant is to be spared.
Eze_9:5-11 — Frightful judgment is to be executed.
C. Shekinah glory fills holy place; leaves the temple, Chapter 10
Eze_10:4 — The glory fills the temple for the last time.
Eze_10:19-22 — The glory lifts up from the temple and stands at the east gate.
D. Prophecy against rulers of Jerusalem, Chapter 11
Eze_11:1-7 — Sins of the rulers are labeled.
Eze_11:8-13 — Judgment of the rulers.
Eze_11:16-20 — A remnant shall be preserved and returned to the land.
Eze_11:22-23 — Shekinah glory departs from Jerusalem and stands over the Mount of Olives.
E. Ezekiel enacts destruction of Jerusalem, Chapter 12
Eze_12:1-6 — Because the people will not hear the prophet, he is to adopt a sensational and strange method.
Eze_12:7-16 — He locks himself in this house, digs through the wall, and takes his possessions out through the excavation.
Eze_12:17-28 — Then he is to announce the full captivity of Jerusalem.
F. Prophecy against pseudo-prophets and prophetesses, Chapter 13
Eze_13:16 — These false prophets predict peace for Jerusalem. Since Nebuchadnezzar had besieged the city twice and had not destroyed it, they assume he will not.
Eze_13:17-23 — God condemns the lying prophetesses.
G. Prophecy against idolatry of elders; certain destruct- tion of Jerusalem, Chapter 14
Eze_14:1-3 — The elders are idolatrous.
Eze_14:12-20 — Even Noah, Daniel, and Job could not deliver Jerusalem. (Daniel was prime minister at this time in the court of Nebuchadnezzar.)
H. Vision of the vine, Chapter 15
The vine is the symbol of the nation Israel (Isa_5:7).
Eze_15:2-5 — A vine is not good for lumber or for fuel.
Eze_15:6-8 — Neither is Israel in her sin of any value, but is fit only for destruction.
I. Jerusalem likened to abandoned baby adopted by God, Chapter 16
(This is God’s estimate of every sinner that He saves. Read this chapter carefully. )
The origin of Jerusalem is likened to an abandoned baby, deserted, dirty, repulsive, and obviously illegitimate. Jehovah adopted this baby, cleaned her up, raised and trained her with loving care and concern. Then this baby girl grew up to play the harlot and deny the only One who befriended, loved, and nurtured her. Jehovah must judge, discipline, and purify her — but He has not forsaken her. He made a covenant with her and He will yet fulfill it (Eze_16:53).
J. Riddle of two eagles, Chapter 17
Eze_17:12-24 — The answer to the riddle: The king of Babylon will besiege Jerusalem again. He will destroy the city and the temple and will take Zedekiah and all but a small remnant of the people into captivity.
K. Wages of sin is death; Jerusalem is the awful example, Chapter 18
(Read this chapter carefully.)
Life and death are set before Israel. (This is true of every person.) Live or alive occur thirteen times in this chapter. Die, dieth, or death occur fourteen times.
Eze_18:4 — “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” omits no one.
Eze_18:9 — God offers life.
Eze_18:31-32 — God is righteous in all that He does.
L. Elegy of Jehovah over princes of Israel, Chapter 19 This is a sad song depicting the sordid history of the nation.
M. Review of Israel’s long history of sins; future judgment and restoration, Chapter 20
Over the black background of their failure (from Egypt to the Babylonian captivity), God writes in letters of light His redeeming promise and prophecy to judge and restore them to the land in full blessing.
Eze_20:33-38 — Israel, regathered from all nations, will enter into the Great Tribulation. The judgment will determine who of Israel will enter the Millennium.
Eze_20:42-44 — A glorious millennial prophecy.
N. King of Babylon to remove last king of Davidic line until Messiah comes, Chapter 21
Eze_21:2 — Ezekiel is still prophesying against Jerusalem and Israel.
Eze_21:9 — A sword is sharpened to judge the people and the land.
Eze_21:25 — This is a judgment against Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. It also looks forward to the coming of the willful king.
Eze_21:26 — Crown and scepter are removed from the house of David.
Eze_21:27 — Crown and scepter will be returned to the Messiah (see Mat_1:1; Mat_2:2-6). This is a remarkable prophecy.
O. Review of abominations of Jerusalem, Chapter 22
The leaders were involved in apostasy and gross sins — princes (Eze_22:6, Eze_22:27), prophets (Eze_22:25), and priests (Eze_22:26). There was not a man to be found who would stand in the gap (Eze_22:30).
P. Parable of two sisters — Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem), Chapter 23
Both the northern and southern kingdoms were playing the harlot (spiritual adultery is idolatry).
Q. Parable of the boiling pot, Chapter 24
Jerusalem is to be burned. Ezekiel’s wife dies and he is forbidden to mourn. Ezekiel is a sign to the captives in this, as Jerusalem is to be destroyed and there is to be no mourning.
III. Glory of the Lord; judgment of nations, Chapters 25 — 32
A. Against Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Chapter 25
Eze_25:3 — Ammonites applauded the enemy that destroyed Israel. They were allies.
Eze_25:4 — The same enemy destroyed Ammon (see Jer_49:6).
Eze_25:8-11 — The prophecy against Moab (see Jer_48:47).
Eze_25:12-14 — The prophecy against Edom (see Eze_35:9).