Like a good detective, let's examine this book.

🔥 Overview

The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic work written by Ezekiel, a priest and prophet who ministered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. The book is divided into three main sections:

1. Judgment on Judah (Chapters 1-24): Ezekiel warns of Jerusalem’s impending destruction due to Israel’s sin and rebellion.
2. Judgment on the Nations (Chapters 25-32): Prophecies against surrounding nations show God’s sovereignty over all nations.
3. Restoration and Hope (Chapters 33-48): God promises to restore Israel, give His people a new heart, and establish His eternal kingdom.

The book begins with Ezekiel’s dramatic vision of God’s glory, emphasizing God’s holiness and power. It progresses from messages of judgment to powerful promises of spiritual renewal and future restoration.

🔍 Things to Notice

• God’s Glory: The recurring theme of God’s glory departing from and returning to the temple (Chapters 10 and 43).
• Symbolic Actions: Ezekiel acts out many of his prophecies in dramatic ways to capture attention.
• Judgment and Hope: The shift from judgment in the first half to hope and restoration in the second half.
• The Valley of Dry Bones (Chapter 37): A vivid image of God’s power to bring spiritual life to what is dead.
• Detailed Visions: Complex and sometimes mysterious visions, including the chariot-throne and the new temple.
• The Phrase “Son of Man”: Used over 90 times, highlighting Ezekiel’s humanity and God’s authority.

🙏 Jesus in this Book

(Every book reveals the glory of God, displayed in Christ Jesus)

• The Good Shepherd (Ezekiel 34): God promises to shepherd His people personally, a role fulfilled by Jesus, the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-16).
• The New Covenant (Ezekiel 36:26-27): God’s promise to give His people a new heart and spirit foreshadows Jesus’ work of spiritual renewal through the Holy Spirit.
• Resurrection Power (Ezekiel 37): The vision of dry bones coming to life points to Jesus’ resurrection and His power to bring eternal life.
• The Temple (Ezekiel 40-48): The vision of a future temple symbolizes God’s presence with His people, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, who is the true temple (John 2:19-21) and in the New Jerusalem of Revelation 21-22.
• The Glory of God: Ezekiel’s visions of God’s glory foreshadow Jesus as the radiance of God’s glory (Hebrews 1:3).

👀 Themes

1. God’s Holiness: God’s holiness is absolute, and He must judge sin.
2. Judgment and Accountability: Both individuals and nations are accountable to God.
3. The Presence of God: God is present even in exile, offering hope to those who feel distant from Him.
4. Restoration and Renewal: God promises to restore Israel, give them new hearts, and renew their relationship with Him.
5. Sovereignty Over Nations: God is sovereign over all the earth, not just Israel.
6. The Role of a Watchman: Ezekiel’s role as a watchman emphasizes the responsibility to warn others of God’s judgment.
7. Future Hope: Despite judgment, the book concludes with the hope of God’s eternal kingdom.

😀 Who?

Who wrote it? The prophet Ezekiel, a priest and prophet who ministered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, wrote the book of Ezekiel.

Who is the original audience? The book of Ezekiel was written to the Jewish people in exile in Babylon and to those still living in Jerusalem. It addressed both groups, warning of judgment and offering hope for future restoration.

🪧 Where?

Where are we? Ezekiel wrote his prophecies while living in Babylon, among the Jewish exiles taken there during the Babylonian captivity.

⏳ When?

When was it written: Ezekiel was written between 593 B.C. and 571 B.C., during the Jewish exile in Babylon. The book spans about 22 years of Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry.

🤔 What?

What is the big idea? The big idea is that God is sovereign over all nations and will judge sin, but He also promises to restore and renew His people. The book moves from warnings of judgment to visions of hope, emphasizing God’s holiness, justice, and faithfulness to His covenant promises.

🧐 Why?

Why is this book important?

• Understanding God’s Character: It reveals God’s holiness, justice, and mercy, helping us understand His nature more fully.
• Learning from Israel’s Mistakes: Israel’s exile serves as a warning against rebellion and idolatry.
• Seeing God’s Faithfulness: Despite their sin, God remains faithful to His covenant promises, pointing to His grace and forgiveness.
• Foreshadowing Jesus: The book points to Jesus as the Good Shepherd, the source of spiritual renewal, and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises.
• Connecting to Revelation: Understanding Ezekiel helps readers grasp the imagery and themes found in the book of Revelation, particularly regarding God’s final judgment and eternal kingdom.

Why is it important to Study Ezekiel?

• Understanding God’s Holiness: It reveals the absolute holiness of God and His intolerance of sin.
• Learning from Israel’s Mistakes: It teaches the consequences of rebellion and idolatry, urging believers to live in obedience.
• Hope of Restoration: It offers hope that God can renew even the most broken lives, as symbolized by the vision of the dry bones.
• God’s Presence in Hardship: It shows that God is present even in exile, offering comfort to those who feel distant from Him.
• Foreshadowing Jesus: It points to Jesus as the Good Shepherd who gathers His people and gives them new hearts and eternal life.

📝 How?

How can I apply it?

• Recognize God’s Holiness: Acknowledge God’s holiness and strive to live a life that honors Him.
• Take Responsibility for Your Choices: Ezekiel emphasizes individual accountability—examine your life and seek God’s forgiveness where needed.
• Find Hope in God’s Restoration: No situation is beyond God’s power to restore—trust Him to bring new life to broken areas of your life.
• Listen to God’s Warnings: Take God’s warnings about sin seriously, but also cling to His promises of grace and renewal.
• Be a Watchman: Like Ezekiel, share God’s truth with others, warning them of the consequences of sin while offering hope through Jesus.

Resources

Commentaries:

• The Book of Ezekiel by Daniel I. Block (NICOT series) – In-depth and scholarly.
• Ezekiel by John B. Taylor (Tyndale Old Testament Commentary) – Accessible and practical.
• Ezekiel by Iain M. Duguid (NIV Application Commentary) – Combines exegesis with modern application.

Study Bibles:

• ESV Study Bible – Comprehensive notes and theological insights.
• NIV Study Bible – Clear explanations and helpful background information.

Books:

• The Message of Ezekiel by Christopher J. H. Wright (The Bible Speaks Today series) – Insightful and applicable.
• The Prophets by Abraham J. Heschel – A classic study on the role of prophets like Ezekiel.

Online Resources:

• BibleProject (www.bibleproject.com) – Video overviews that visually explain the book’s themes.
• Blue Letter Bible (www.blueletterbible.org) – Free tools for studying the original Hebrew text.
• Desiring God (www.desiringgod.org) – Articles and sermons that apply Ezekiel’s message to modern life.

Sermons and Podcasts:

• Tim Keller Sermons (Gospel in Life) – Practical applications of Old Testament books like Ezekiel.
• The Bible Recap Podcast – Daily summaries that help break down Ezekiel’s complex passages.