Ezekiel
The writer of this book is Ezekiel, the prophet-priest of the Babylonian exile. He was exiled along with 10,000 Jews from Judea to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar in 597 B.C. In 586 B.C. there was a final siege on Jerusalem by the Babylonians, at which time the city and the Temple were burned.
Ezekiel wrote this prophesy from Babylonia, preceding the destruction of Jerusalem by 7 years and following it by 15 years. These 22 years of his prophetic activity exceeded a priest's normal service by two years. (Priests served from age 30 to age 50, after which they entered semi-retirement and assisted others in ministry.)
The book of Ezekiel can be outlined in the following way:
Jerusalem and the Temple will fall - Chapters.1 to 24
Seven surrounding nations will be judged - Chapters. 25 to 32
A word of hope given for God's people - Chapters. 33 to 48
The prophecy of Ezekiel proclaims God's sovereignty over creation, people, nations and the course of history.
Listen Now!
Listen Below
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| Ezekiel 1-5Ezekiel has a vision from God, a call from God, and a word from God. Listen! |
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| Ezekiel 6-7The problem was idolatry; the result was God's judgment; the goal is our repentance and acknowledgment of God as Sovereign Lord. |
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| Ezekiel 8-11God is grieved by the sins of his people. His presence departs the Temple. But there is hope of renewal. |
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| Ezekiel 12-24In an enactment-prophecy, Ezekiel packs his bags. There would be no further delay. Jerusalem and Judea would be devastated by the Babylonians. |
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| Ezekiel 25-32God would punish both Israel and the surrounding nations. But, through it all, God means to restore Israel. There is hope! |
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| Ezekiel 33-37God will not abandon his people forever. Israel can begin again - and so can we. A covenant of peace is available. A new heart is possible. |
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| Ezekiel 38-39A prophecy against Gog of the land of Magog - threat! Then the intervention of the Sovereign Lord - deliverance! Finally, the outpouring of God's Spirit- restoration! |
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| Ezekiel 40-48Ezekiel lived to see the utter devastation of Jerusalem. But he also looked ahead to the time when there would be a new temple, a new priesthood and a new flowing river. In Christ, God makes all things new! |
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