Ezekiel - Notes Al Macias - BE-441 (3) Year 2 Quarter 4 - Senior

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1 Introduction to Ezekiel Facts about Ezekiel 1. We know very little about Ezekiel apart from the book 2. Ezekiel was the son of Buzi; he was married, his wife died the day the city of Jerusalem was besieged 3. Ezekiel was a contemporary of Jeremiah While Jeremiah preached in Jerusalem, Ezekiel preached in Babylon 4. Ezekiel was a contemporary of Daniel 5. When Ezekiel arrived in Babylon, Daniel had been there about 9 years 6. Ezekiel s work covered a period of about 22 years 7. Ezekiel began to prophesy in the fifth year of Jehoiachin s reign, 592 B.C. 8. Ezekiel prophesied until 570 B.C., he was priest, preacher and a prophet 9. Ezekiel s mission was to show the exiles that their rebellion toward God caused their captivity and the destruction of Jerusalem 10. Ezekiel s prophecies were to show the surrounding nations that they would be subject to God 11. Ezekiel prophesied to God s people that brighter days would come and that they would be able to return home 12. The writer of Ezekiel is Ezekiel 13. The date written: 565 B.C. The book of Ezekiel Chapter Ezekiel was chosen by God to be a prophet 2. Ezekiel was probably chosen when he was 30 years old It was at the age of 30 that the Levites entered full service - Numbers 4.3, 23, 30, John the Baptist and Jesus also began to preach at age Ezekiel went to Babylon in the 2 nd of the 3 of deportations Deportation dates: 606, 597, 586 B.C. 5. The Jews were taken captive because of their wickedness, rebellion and idolatry Wednesday May 3, 2006 A vision of God - Ezekiel Ezekiel saw a whirlwind appear out of the north 2. This was the nation of Babylon 3. The Babylonians would destroy the city and temple in Jerusalem 4. Ezekiel also saw four living creatures with four faces 5. The number four symbolized fullness 6. He also saw wheels full of eyes 7. The explanation of this vision was to show God s majesty and show that God can see all Page 1

2 Ezekiel is called by God - Ezekiel Ezekiel s mission was to go the children of Israel but these were not the 10 tribes that had been scattered, but the southern two tribes: Benjamin and Judah 2. The Lord instructed Ezekiel to prophesy to people whether they would hear him or not II Timothy The message which was a roll of a book it was written from within and without; this book contained lamentations, mourning and woes 4. Ezekiel was told to eat the roll and to go speak to Israel The commission of God to preach - Ezekiel Ezekiel was commissioned by God only to speak the word of the Lord 2. Had Ezekiel gone to others, they would have repented, but this would not be so with Israel The commission of God to observe - Ezekiel Ezekiel was commissioned of God to be an observer 2. As an observer, Ezekiel needed to know two things: a. He needed to know the word of the Lord b. He needed to know the needs of God s people book suggestion: the pulpit commentary Friday May 5, 2006 Monday May 8, 2006 Door Knocking The commission of God to watch - Ezekiel The Lord made Ezekiel a watchman to the house of Israel 2. The watchman was one who was outside the city, who when he saw the enemy coming, he would warn the city of the incoming danger 3. If he failed to warn them (spiritually), he would stand guilty before God This has application to us in the New Testament in the preaching of the Gospel 4. The wicked, if they are not warned, would still die in their iniquity 5. Ezekiel had the responsibility to warn the righteous who could fall into sin for the lack of warning - people can fall from grace The commission of God to be a prisoner - Ezekiel Ezekiel was told to shut himself up in his house 2. Ezekiel was told that some would put ropes on him binding him so he could not prophesy unto them 3. Even God would keep Ezekiel from speaking Page 2

3 Silent demonstrations - Ezekiel Ezekiel - Notes Siege operations - Ezekiel Ezekiel is told to take a tile and lay it before himself and portray upon it the city of Jerusalem 2. Ezekiel was to build a fort against it and cast a mount, a camp, and battering rams Battering rams: - A military engine/weapon - It was a long beam having a head of brass, like a head of a ram - Several stout would pull it back as far as they could and let it go against the city 3. This would represent the siege against Jerusalem Siege duration - Ezekiel Ezekiel was to lie on his left side 390 days to represent Israel s iniquity 2. Ezekiel was to lie on his right side 40 days to represent Judah s iniquity 3. Each day represented a year Siege conditions - Ezekiel Ezekiel was told to take with him: wheat, barley, beans, and various other grains 2. The quantity and quality of food was restrictive 3. Ezekiel was to weight the amount of food that he was to eat This indicated that the food would be limited 4. All of this would happen to the children of Israel 5. The Lord wanted Ezekiel to know the condition of Jerusalem prior to the fall of the city 6. When the city would be besieged, outside food sources would be cut off, and they would be forced to ration their food Wednesday May 10, 2006 Out ill - notes from G. Derouin Siege Description - Ezekiel Ezekiel was told to take a razor sharp knife and shave his head and beard 2. He was told to take balances, and divide the hair into 3 equal piles and weigh them 3. He was to take the first pile of hair and burn it at the center of the city. This meant death by famine 4. He was to take the second pile of hair and smite it with a knife. This meant death by the sword 5. He was to take the last pile and scatter it in the wind. This meant exile 6. He was to take a few of the hairs and bind them in his skirt. This would be the remnant that would survive Page 3

4 The reasons for the siege - Ezekiel God s people had rejected divine guidance. The people in Jerusalem were guilty of rebelling and rejecting God s ordinances. Also, Judah was accused of being more evil than the nations around them. 2. They were guilty of Idolatrous worship and defiling the sanctuary. The results of the siege - Ezekiel God s wrath would be satisfied 2. The Destruction of Jerusalem would have an impact among the other nations 3. Other nations would learn from this that God was in control 4. God would use famine, depopulation, wild beasts, plagues, violent death, and the Babylonians to punish Jerusalem Discourse on disobedience and desolation - Ezekiel Ezekiel is instructed to prophecy against the mountains of Israel 2. This meant that he would prophecy to all those who were guilty of idolatry in those mountains 3. Even though the nation as whole would be punished, there would still be a remnant 4. Ezekiel would now be directed to dramatize an antagonizing lament 5. The Lord told Ezekiel to smite with his hand and stamp with his feet, and say why Israel would be destroyed Discourse on chaos and calamity - Ezekiel The destruction would extend to the four corners of the land and it would be complete Friday May 12, This disaster facing Israel would be no accident of history, but a fulfillment of punishment that God had predicted 3. Social disruption would take place a. None would remain in the land b. National wealth would be confiscated c. Every economic institution would be shaken d. Real estate transactions would cease e. Those who bought property, would never return to their property, because they would die in captivity 4. Military dismay would take place a. They would not be able to resist (beat) the enemy b. Outside the city, they would die by the sword c. Inside the city, they would die by famine and pestilence Page 4

5 5. Economic distress would take place a. All their wealth could not save them from the judgment of God b. Food could not found at any price The defilement of the temple - Ezekiel The leading citizens of Jerusalem were practicing abominations in and around the temple 2. North of the altar gate was the image of jealousy 3. At the inner temple s entrance, Ezekiel (through a hole-in-the-wall) saw: a. Idolatrous carvings of creeping things, beasts, and detestable things b. 70 elders of the house of Israel before the carvings offering incense of warriors 4. The elders tried to justify their actions with two arguments, they said: a. The Lord was not able to see them b. The Lord had forsaken the land 5. Ezekiel is taken to the temple s north gate door and sees women weeping over the god Tammuz 6. Ezekiel is taken to the temple s inner court were he notices 25 men (very likely the priests along with the high priest) worshipping the sun 7. Those dwelling in Judah were guilty of violence, social chaos and injustice The doom of the city - Ezekiel Ezekiel saw six executioners enter into the northern gates of the city 2. These executioners symbolized the Babylonian army 3. But among the executioners was a scribe 4. The Lord instructed the scribe to go through Jerusalem s midst and to put a mark on the forehead of all those who were concerned about the city s abominations 5. These would survive Jerusalem s destruction 6. But the executioners were to spare none of the others 7. The slaughter was to begin in the temple with the religious leaders who had fallen away 8. The elders fell first and the corpses of the slain defiled the temple courts 9. When Ezekiel saw of those being killed he tried to intercede for the people 10. But the Lord explained to Ezekiel why these people had to be destroyed; because the iniquity of Israel was very great: a. The land was full of blood b. There was violent bloodshed of the innocent c. The cities were filled with perversions and injustices d. There were some who were denying the omniscience of God e. There were some who were blaming God for abandoning the land Page 5

6 Monday May 15, 2006 The denouncement of leaders - Ezekiel Ezekiel is transported to the inner court of the temple; there he saw 25 leaders of Israel 2. These most likely were not the same 25 men Ezekiel saw worshipping the sun 3. These men were described as devising iniquity and giving evil advice to the city 4. They were saying that their Judah would shortly go back to normal 5. He explains that many will die in the streets of Jerusalem because they believed the false teachers 6. Many who would die in the city during the siege of Nebuchadnezzar were symbolized by the meat in the pot 7. Many would die in the borders of Israel 8. The wall of Jerusalem would not protect from their enemiess 9. While Ezekiel gave his lesson, one of the 25 men that he saw dropped dead 10. The Jews in Jerusalem thought they were better people than those taken captive in 597 B.C. 11. They thought of themselves of being chosen of God because they were allowed to stay back in Jerusalem 12. They were glad that the others were taken for this gave them more land to divide amongst themselves 13. God had a plan for those who were in exile, and that was to bring them back into Israel s land 14. All of those who would repent would return to cleanse the land of all its abominations The parable of the fugitive - Ezekiel Ezekiel is told to prepare for himself a baggage for exile a. He is to take with him only those things that one would take into exile b. He was to do this in the presence of his daily visitors c. He was to take the meager items of exile and move from his house to another place d. Perhaps this was done to show that those who were left in Jerusalem that they would soon join those who had been deported e. He was also to dig through the clay courtyard, a wall and carry his baggage through a hole in the wall f. He was to do all of this as sign to house of Israel g. In the morning Ezekiel received a divine revelation explaining his actions from the previous night; the actions applied to the prince of Jerusalem and his subjects 2. The prince of Jerusalem would try to escape from the city of Jerusalem through a hole in the wall 3. That prince was Zedekiah 4. He was captured in the plains of Jordan and taken to Riblah; there his eyes were blinded and he was deported to Babylon in chains - II Kings God directed Ezekiel to eat his bread trembling and to drink his water quivering to show what would happen to the citizens of Jerusalem 6. An unspeakable disaster (the armies of Nebuchadnezzar) would come upon their land and the people of Jerusalem would eat and drink in anxiety and horror Page 6

7 Wednesday May 17, 2006 dismissed early for a funeral Condemnation of the prophets - Ezekiel Ezekiel was told to prophesy against the prophets of Israel 2. These prophets prophesied that they had seen things they had never seen 3. There were several reasons why these prophets were warned: a. They were undermining the nation b. They showed no courage in battle - They did not cry out against sin - They did not call the people to repentance c. They were making false claims by promising peace with there is no peace - I Thessalonians 5.1ff Condemnation of the prophetesses - Ezekiel These were guilty of sewing magic of bands full of incantations and charms 2. They made veils of various sizes to put over the head of their clients Four objections answered - Ezekiel The elders argued saying, they were seeking the Lord s will The Lord responded saying, they were hypocrites 2. The people said/complained asking, how could the Lord be so hard on them? The Lord responded that He was going to destroy the false teacher and those who believed the false teachings 3. Some argued that there were some righteous people living in the midst of their nation The Lord responded, Even if Noah, Job, and Daniel were here, He would still destroy the nation 4. They asked, How could God forsake His covenant? The Lord responded, He could because the people had forsaken Him Page 7

8 The parable of the wayward wife - Ezekiel In vv. 1-2 Ezekiel was told to show Jerusalem the greatness of her abominations and unfaithfulness 2. Jerusalem is pictured as a baby born in the land of Canaan The idea is that the beginning of Israel was a hopeless circumstance Friday May 19, The father was an Ammorite and the mother a Hittite This was in reference to how the Israelites were influenced by the Canaanites The Ammorites and the Hittites were 2 of the inferior heathen people that inhabited Canaan 4. The birth of Jerusalem was like the birth of an unwanted child 5. Jerusalem was accused of seven faults against God: a. She came to trust in her beauty and her material prosperity b. She played the harlot by associating with other nations c. She misused all that was given to her by the Lord d. She took her sons and daughters and sacrificed them to her idols e. She was guilty of forgetting all that the Lord had done for her f. She was guilty of building platforms (idol worship) in high places and in every street g. She made herself available to every suitor that passed by The punishment of the harlot - Ezekiel God would bring against Jerusalem all those with whom she had confided She would be as harshly punished as a woman who committed adultery or shed blood 2. Jerusalem s former associates would destroy her high places and confiscate her property and possessions The parable of the three sisters - Ezekiel As is the mother so is her daughter 2. Samaria is listed as Jerusalem s older sister and Sodom as her younger 3. Jerusalem is accused of being worse than her sisters 4. The sins of Sodom: a. Pride b. Prosperity c. Abundance of idleness d. Lack of hospitality e. Haughtiness f. Abominations 5. Samaria did not commit half of the sins Judah was committing 6. All abominations committed in Jerusalem made Sodom and Samaria appear righteous Page 8

9 Political parables - Ezekiel Ezekiel - Notes Introduction - Ezekiel Ezekiel is told to tell a parable to the house of Israel 2. He compares the royal family of Judah to a cedar tree in Lebanon A parable of eagles - Ezekiel Ezekiel used two eagles to represent two great powers of his day: Babylon and Egypt 2. This parable describes what happened in 597 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar deported the king of Judah and 10,000 captives 3. This parable also predicted what would happen when Jerusalem would be destroyed and the Davidic ruler deported to Babylon in 586 B.C. Monday May 22, Two great eagles a. Ezekiel begins by describing a great eagle b. The first eagle was the king of Babylon c. He came to Jerusalem and took Jehoiachin to Babylon d. He made a covenant with another of the royal family, that being Zedekiah e. Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar by sending ambassadors to the second great eagle, which was Egypt f. Pharaoh would not be able to help Zedekiah from the siege g. Zedekiah would then be deported to Babylon and die in the very land of him that had Zedekiah as king, that being Nebuchadnezzar The proverb of sour grapes - Ezekiel The doctrine of personal responsibility - Ezekiel Each person is a separate soul before God 2. The soul that sins will die 3. We are all accountable to God 4. The things the righteous would not do (in the days of Ezekiel) a. They would not eat (participate) on the mountain of pagan rituals (ceremonies) b. They would not to lift of their eyes unto idols c. They would not defile their neighbor s wife d. A man would not approach a monstrous woman e. They would not oppress anyone through fraudulent dealings f. They would not commit robbery g. They would not charge interest on loans to another Jew continued Page 9

10 5. The things the righteous would do (in the days of Ezekiel) a. They would execute justice (do what was right) b. They would restore the debtor their collateral c. They would feed the hungry d. They would clothe the naked e. They would keep their hands from iniquity The doctrine of free will - Ezekiel A wicked man can turn from his sins and he will be forgiven 2. A righteous man can turn from his righteousness and be lost eternally Wednesday May 24, 2006 Friday May 26, 2006 Monday May 29, 2006 Wednesday May 31, 2006 class dismissed macias out for dr s appt. Memorial Day holiday The lamentation parable - Ezekiel The parable of the lion s cub - Ezekiel The first parabolic lamentation was for the princes of Israel 2. Ezekiel compares the royal of Judah to a lioness, which reared her cubs in the midst of lions 3. One of the cubs became a lion and the nations took him with chains to Egypt, this would be Jehoahaz - II Kings 23.33; Jeremiah The lioness then reared a second cub named Jehoiachin The parable of the vine - Ezekiel The royal house is compared to a vine full of blood 2. This vine was plucked in fury and cast to the ground, this was in reference to the heavy taxation that Nebuchadnezzar imposed on Zedekiah 3. The strong branch (Zedekiah) and the vine (Judah) were planted in the wilderness and taken into Babylonian exile God s grace in the past - Ezekiel Ezekiel reviews Israel s spiritual history from the nation s birth to their present day 2. The Lord took Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land 3. The Lord led Israel to Sinai and gave them the Law of Moses 4. The Lord exhorted Israel not to contaminat themselves with the idols of Egypt, yet they rebelled 5. The Lord gave Israel the Sabbath as a sign between Himself and His people Deuteronomy As a second generation grew up on the wilderness, they also became rebellious and disobedient 7. When they came into the Promised Land, they began to worship pagan shrines in high places Page 10

11 God s plan for present - Ezekiel Ezekiel s generation had defiled themselves just like previous generations 2. They were playing with detestable things like idols 3. They were making their sons pass through the fire 4. Because of their sins God would bring destruction to Jerusalem in 586 B.C. to purge sinful practices from them God s plan for the future Ezekiel saw Israel faithfully serving the Lord again 2. Ezekiel saw the people going back to Israel after their captivity and being faithful to the Lord as never before 3. As Israel would look back at their evil conduct, prior to their captivity, they would loathe themselves 4. And Israel would see how the Lord did not punish them as much as they deserved Israel s judgment - Ezekiel The parable of the fire - Ezekiel The Lord directed Ezekiel to prophesy against Judah 2. The Lord was about to kindle a fire against Judah 3. Both the righteous and the wicked would suffer from this destruction brought by the Chaldean (Babylonian) army 4. Ezekiel asked the Lord if he could plainly preach to the people 5. Ezekiel was allowed to explain the parable of the fire to the people 6. The teaching regarding the cutting off of both the righteous and the wicked, does not contradict the teaching of Ezekiel 18 Ezekiel 18 deals with the final punishment, the teaching here is regarding a temporal punishment Friday June 2, 2006 The parable of the sigh - Ezekiel The Lord told Ezekiel to give vent to his emotions and to mourn as a mourner might mourn 2. Ezekiel was to do this to promote inquiry from the captives 3. When the people would ask, Ezekiel was to say that his behavior would be like the captives behavior when they were to hear of how the temple had been detroyed The parable of the sword - Ezekiel The sword Ezekiel described here would be coming destruction on Israel 2. When the sword came, the princes would fall alongside the people Page 11

12 The parable of the cross roads - Ezekiel Ezekiel is directed by the Lord to sketch a road with a fork in it 2. This road represented the road the Babylonian king would travel 3. One road led to Rabbath, the capital of Ammon the other led to Jerusalem 4. At the fork in the road, the Babylonian king would resort to pagan divination to determine which direction to take 5. The king s divination pointed to Jerusalem The sword and Ammon - Ezekiel The Ammonites were taunting the Jews because of all that fallen upon them 2. But the same sword that would come upon Jerusalem would come upon Ammon 3. Ammon s soothsayers promised peace but that is not what the Lord had in mind for Ammon 4. The Ammonites would be judged on their own soil 5. Ammon s destroyers would be ruthless and skillful Israel s defilement - Ezekiel The bloody city - Ezekiel Ezekiel makes known to Jerusalem her abominations 2. Jerusalem was a city shedding blood in her midst 3. Some were dying because of a corrupt judicial system and others from child sacrifice 4. Jerusalem made idols that caused her to be defiled before the Lord 5. Jerusalem was indicited with the following sins: a. Political leaders abused their power even to the point of blood shed b. Children treated their parents with contempt c. The alien, the widow, and the orphan were mistreated d. The city showed no respect for sacred things e. Sabbaths were consistently profaned f. Slanderers sent many to their death g. Some frequented the pagan shrines in the mountains h. They committed acts of lewdness i. They were guilty of bribery h. They oppressed their neighbors 6. The reason for all this was Jerusalem had forgotten the Lord 7. The punishment would cleanse Israel of all these sins Page 12

13 Monday June 5, 2006 Wednesday June 7, 2006 Exam The blessed furnace - Ezekiel At one time Israel was like precious silver to the Lord, but was now like worthless dross 2. The house of Israel would be gathered in Jerusalem and would be placed in a smelting furnace 3. The Lord would then pour on them the fire of God s judgment to cleanse them of their impurities The corrupt land - Ezekiel The prophets were preaching only promises of peace 2. The priests had: a. Profaned holy things b. Failed at teaching the people the difference between the clean and the unclean c. Ignored the Sabbath 3. The princes were wolfs tearing the prey to get dishonest gain 4. The people engaged in oppression and theft Israel s debasement - Ezekiel Ezekiel speaks of two sisters and how the played the harlot in their youth 2. One sister was Jerusalem (Aholibah) the other Samaria (Aholah) Lewdness of Jerusalem - Ezekiel Jerusalem s political entanglements got her involved with idolatry 2. Jerusalem became even more corrupt than Samaria 3. Jerusalem began to make open alliances with other nations attempting to protect herself from Babylon Jerusalem s punishment - Ezekiel The Lord would bring the Chaldeans (Babylonians) to attack Jerusalem 2. They would confiscate all of their properties and leave Jerusalem with nothing Lewdness of Samaria - Ezekiel Samaria committed idolatry 2. They stained themselves with the blood of their own children 3. Hypocritically they would enter God s sanctuary Page 13

14 Samaria s punishment - Ezekiel Their sons and daughters would die and their houses would be burned 2. They would be given over to terror and plunder Focus on the prophets - Ezekiel The parable begins with the command to put water in a pot 2. Ezekiel tells the listeners to place choice pieces of meat in the pot and build a fire under it 3. Ezekiel pronounces two woes unto the people a. The covered pot represented Jerusalem the bloody city The citizens of Jerusalem would be carried into captivity b. God assures His people that He would heat up the fuel for the burning of Jerusalem Friday June 9, 2006 Parabolic actions - Ezekiel The day the city of Jerusalem came under siege Ezekiel suffered personal loss 2. The Lord told Ezekiel that his wife would be suddenly taken from him 3. Ezekiel was to use this occasion of personal grief to those in captivity another truth 4. When Ezekiel was to hear of his wife s death, he was not to express any sign of mourning 5. Ezekiel was not to publicly weep or shed tears 6. Ezekiel was not to change is normal dress or let his hair hang down 7. Ezekiel was not to eat the traditional bread offered by friends to those in mourning 8. When Ezekiel s wife died, he did exactly what the Lord told him 9. When captives saw this, they asked Ezekiel to explain his actions 10. Ezekiel told them just as he reacted to his wife s death, they also would react in the same way to the temple s destruction in Jerusalem 11. Their sons and daughters that were still in Judah would fall by the sword A focus on neighboring nations - Ezekiel Ammon is charged with mocking the plight of God s people when destruction came upon them 2. Ammon also mocked when the temple was profaned and the land was made desolate 3. Because of this Ammon would be given to the sons of the east 4. God does not accept the gloting of one people over the misfortunes of others, especially if they are God s people 5. The Ammonites clapped their hands, and stamped their feet rejoicing at Jerusalem s destruction Page 14

15 God s word to Moab - Ezekiel Moab failed to recognized Israel s distinctiveness 2. Because of this Moab would be invaded by a dessert tribe from the east God s word to Edom - Ezekiel Edom s sin was taking vengeance on the children of Judah 2. Because of this both man and beast of Edom would be cut off from the land 3. The land would be laid waste by an invader God s word to Philistia - Ezekiel Philistia s sin was taking advantage of God s people 2. Because of this, God would destroy all the remnant of the sea coast Ezekiel This section contains four messages 1. Two messages concerning the city of Tyre 2. Two messages concerning the ruler of Tyre The destruction of Tyre - Ezekiel The destruction began around 586 B.C. a little after the fall of Jerusalem 2. The Lord gave a reason for the destruction - the reason: Tyre rejoiced over Jerusalem s fall because she would reap the profits of Judah s fall 3. The Lord indicates the extent of Tyre s destruction a. Many nations would come against Tyre b. Tyre would be made a bare rock c. Fishermen would spread their net at Tyre d. They would become spoil for the nations e. Tyre s satellite villages would be slain by the sword f. This would teach that Jehovah is the only God 4. The destructive agents: a. God would bring Nebuchadnezzar against Tyre b. Nebuchadnezzar would come with horses, chariots, horsemen and a might company c. When Nebuchadnezzar came, he besieged Tyre 13 years from 598 to 585 B.C. 5. The reaction to the destruction: a. Because Tyre presided over a network of trading colonies throughout the Mediterranian world, these colonies would shake and tremble when they found out about Tyre s fall b. The princes of these colonies sat stupefied and astonished c. All of Tyre s former allies took up lamentations over Tyre s demise Page 15

16 Monday June 12, 2006 Tuesday June 14, 2006 Friday June 16, 2006 Monday June 19, 2006 Wednesday June 21, 2006 Hensel Camp Hensel Camp Hensel Camp Post Hensel Camp Break 6. The result of Tyre s destruction a. It would become an uninhabited desolation b. The ruins of Tyre would be washed away c. Her sea wall would be destroyed The parable of the sinking ship - Ezekiel Ezekiel uses an allegory to underscore the predictions of the ultimate fall of Tyre 2. Tyre was the merchant of the people 3. Ezekiel compared the city of Tyre to a beautiful ship 4. This overloaded ship encountered a storm and the crew and cargo were lost at sea a. Tyre s clients were confused b. Commerce was disrupted c. The kings were afraid and troubled d. Merchants were astonished The death of the prince - Ezekiel Ezekiel condemns the pride of the prince of Tyre 2. The ruler considered himself deity and regarded himself completely safe in his island fortress 3. This prince would be punished by ruthless strangers 4. This prince would die in battle 5. This prince would die in his fortress The parable of the garden dweller - Ezekiel Privileges of the king a. He had the seal of perfection b. He was perfect in physical form c. He lived in a paradise which the prophet called Eden 2. This king was guilty of several sins a. He went on trading ventures lead by violence b. He took goods by violent means c. He was guilty of pride d. He corrupted his wisdom by using his business abilities to take advantage of others e. He profaned sanctuaries with his ill-gotten gains Page 16

17 Judgment of Zidon - Ezekiel The city would be besieged and suffer pestilence 2. All sources of danger and opposition to Israel would be removed from Canaan The future of Egypt - Ezekiel Ezekiel was told to declare God s hostility toward the land of Egypt and its ruler 2. Pharaoh is compared to a giant crocodile in the midst of rivers 3. He regarded himself as responsible for Egypt s wealth 4. However, the crocodile was about to be captured 5. The judgment on Pharaoh would bring him to the knowledge that Jehovah was God 6. For 40 years the cities of Egypt would be abandoned 7. The Egyptians would be scattered among the nations 8. At the end of the 40 years, he would gather the scattered Egyptians 9. They would return to Pathros in southern Egypt 10. Never again would Egypt lift itself above other nations 11. Never again would the Israelites repeat their past iniquities by trusting in Egypt The judgment of Egypt - Ezekiel The prize of Egypt - Ezekiel For 13 years Nebuchadnezzar besieged the island of Tyre 2. Nebuchadnezzar and his army had never been rewarded with the spoils of war 3. Because Nebuchadnezzar did do the Lord s work at Tyre he would be rewarded by receiving the wealth of Egypt The woes of Egypt - Ezekiel A sword would come upon Egypt and her allies 2. An army would take away the wealth of the land 3. Egypt s allies would also fall in that day 4. Egypt and her cities would be desolate 5. Evil men would fill Egypt with slain Egyptians 6. Egypt would be ruled by succession of foreign rulers 7. The cities of Egypt would go into captivity 8. All of Egypt s helpers would fall by the sword Friday June 23, 2006 The fall of Egypt - Ezekiel Pharaoh is defeated 2. Pharaoh was compared to the mighty Assyrian Empire 3. The Assyrian Empire was compared to a great cedar tree Page 17

18 The parable of the crocodile - Ezekiel Pharaoh is compared to clumsy crocodile 2. The blood of this beast would saturate the ground and the rivers 3. The fall of Egypt would be a dark day 4. When others nations saw Egypt fall, they realized their situations were hopeless The parable of sheol - Ezekiel Ezekiel would predict that the Egyptians would be cast down and that the land of Egypt was destined to go down in shame 2. The ultimate reason why Egypt would be brought down was so that the Egyptians would know that Jehovah is Lord Prophetic commission renewed - Ezekiel The mission of the watchman - Ezekiel He was to warn of approaching dangers 2. If the people failed to heed the warning, they were responsible for their own destruction 3. If the watchman failed to warn the people, he would also be responsible The message of the watchman - Ezekiel He was to be responsive to the needs of his audience 2. Those in Babylonian captivity were in depths of despair after they heard of the siege of Jerusalem 3. They blamed their present circumstances on the sins they had committed against God 4. They had lost all hope of surviving as a distinct people 5. Ezekiel s message was to focus on the people coming to repentance 6. His message also spoke of responsibility a. A man s past does not determine his future relationship with the Lord b. A man who had been righteous all of his life and suddenly turned to a life of iniquity, all of his prior righteousness would not be remembered c. In God s view, it is what we are doing present time that means the most The watchman - Ezekiel The fugitive had arrived from Jerusalem with sad news 2. This happened about 18 months after the fall of Jerusalem The ministry of the watchman - Ezekiel The Lord revealed to Ezekiel the kind of people he would be preaching to 2. Some would be just hearers of the word and not doers of it Page 18

19 3. The survivors in Palestine who survived the destruction of Jerusalem were unrealistic regarding their future 4. These survivors did not understand that God s promises were always conditional The captives in Babylon - Ezekiel Now that Jerusalem had fallen, Ezekiel became very popular among the exiles 2. The captives were anxious to hear new revelations from God 3. The set before Ezekiel as God s people seeking instruction 4. But with all of this, the captives would not repent because their hearts were bent towards covetousness 5. It would not be until Ezekiel s prophesies of them would come to pass that the attitude of these captives would change The corrupt leaders are replaced - Ezekiel The shepherds of Israel were guilty of four crimes - Ezekiel They used the flock of God for their own purposes 2. They showed no concern for the flock of God. They did not: a. Strengthen the weak b. Heal the sick c. Bind up the broken d. Go after those who strayed 3. They ruled their flock with force and vigor 4. They were responsible for the scattering of the flock Monday June 26, 2006 The divine shepherd - Ezekiel God would take eight actions as shepherd 1. He would seek out the sheep 2. He would deliver from places were they scattered 3. He would bring them out from among the people 4. He would restore them to the land of Israel 5. He would feed them 6. He would lead them to rest and safety 7. He would give special attention to the weak 8. He would pronounce judgment upon their oppressors The future shepherd - Ezekiel God would, at some point, set up one shepherd over His people 2. The shepherd is identified as the Lord s servant 3. He would be from the line of David Page 19

20 Enemies removed - Ezekiel Ezekiel - Notes The desolation of Edom - Ezekiel Ezekiel is told to prophesy against Edom 2. Edom would become desolate 3. Edom would be punished for having been hostile toward Judah when they helped Babylon besiege Jerusalem 4. Edom turned over to the enemy fugitives they had found 5. Since, the Edomites liked bloodshed they would be punished by the same 6. Edom s cities would be uninhabited The condemnation of Edom - Ezekiel Edom would be punished for coveting the land once occupied by Israel 2. Edom had intentions of taking over the abandoned land 3. There was one problem with this, God was protected the land for the day His people would return to it 4. Edom was guilty of rejoicing of the desolation of Israel, so now all nations would rejoice over the desolation of Edom The restoration of the land - Ezekiel The redemption of the land - Ezekiel Ezekiel describes the plight of the land after Jerusalem s fall 2. The land was desolate and the cities forsaken 3. The Lord took note that the nations that rejoiced over Judah s downfall, they would suffer the same reproach 4. The would experience the same fate of that of Judah The repopulation of the land - Ezekiel God s people would return to their land 2. The cities would be inhabited and rebuilt; the cattle and the men would be multiplied 3. The Lord promised to treat the land before than before 4. The land would be inheritance 5. The nation of Israel would never stumble into idolatry again The purification of the land - Ezekiel Before their captivity the land had been defiled with their idolatry 2. Because of this the Lord had scattered them among the nations 3. But now He would gather the people back to the land 4. The people coming back would aware of observing all the ordinances of God 5. Ezekiel lists several blessings of a repented Israel: Page 20

21 a. Israel would dwell in the land God had given to their fathers b. Israel would enjoy a special with the Lord c. God would help them overcome the unclean things d. God would restore fertility to the land e. The redeemed would loath their former life of sin f. The desolate land of Canaan would be repopulated g. The cities would be fortified and strengthened Wednesday June 28, 2006 Introduction to chapter This chapter deals with the revitalization of Israel and bringing them out of captivity 2. The resurrection of the dry bones represented the bringing back of God s people from captivity to their homeland 3. This vision was given to give hope to Israelites in Babylonian captivity by letting them know that they will be allowed to go back to their land The vision of dry bones - Ezekiel Ezekiel is taken in the vision to the edge of a valley 2. He sees a valley full of bones, unburied and open to public view 3. The bones were very dry and in an advanced state of decomposition 4. The Lord asked Ezekiel if these bones could live 5. Ezekiel answered yes 6. The Lord commanded Ezekiel to prophesy upon those bones 7. The Lord promised these bones a spirit to live again 8. The spirit came into the corpses and they lived 9. Ezekiel could see that they were an exceeding great army An explanation of the vision - Ezekiel God explains to Ezekiel that the bones were the whole house of Israel 2. As a nation in captivity, Israel described itself as dead and disjointed 3. Even though Ezekiel had prophesied to them that they would be restored to Jerusalem, they were not convinced 4. We know that when Ezekiel s prophecy came to pass they would know that Jehovah is God and faithful to His Word The parable of the sticks - Ezekiel The Lord instructs Ezekiel to perform his last action parable 2. This involved two sticks that had been appropriately labeled 3. On one stick he was to write Judah and this stick stood for Judah and all the children of Israel which was the southern kingdoml. On the other stick he was to write Joseph and this stick was for Ephraim and all the house of Israel which was the northern kingdom Page 21

22 4. He was to join one stick to the other, this was the reuniting the kingdom which would find its fulfillment in the church 5. This would cause curiosity with the captives so they would want to know the meaning of what he had done 6. Ezekiel would tell them how both nations would become one again and this would be under the Messiah The final triumph and deliverance of Israel - Ezekiel There are three theories for chapters 38 and The Historical View This prophecy was future to Ezekiel but in our past, perhaps it was the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes (sp) that was under consideration 2. The Literal Futuristic View This prophecy is yet in the future 3. The Prophetic Parable View Satan will continuously come against God s people, but regardless of all this God s people will be victorious, this is the theory we (?) accept The vision and prophecy concerning Gog - Ezekiel Ezekiel is told by the Lord to prophesy against Gog 1. Scoffield wrote that Gog was the primary reference to the northern European powers headed by Russia 2. Al Lindsey said this prophecy was in reference to Russia 3. These men believed that Russia would attack Israel when Christ returned for His Millennial Reign - the battle of Armaggedon would be a result of this 4. Others believe that Gog is in reference to Antiochus Epiph. who during his reign ( B.C.), tried to helinize the Jews 5. The most logical explanation for Gog is that it represents all forces of evil Friday June 30, 2006 Gog s plot - Ezekiel The plan was to rush in swiftly and violently to a people of no protection 2. They would loot, steal, and bring destruction to innocent people 3. They would take their cattle, their goods, silver and gold The great battle - Ezekiel Gog will come to battle, but God s people will be ready 2. God will attack Gog with earthquakes 3. God will cause so much confusion that Gog s army will turn and attack each other 4. God will also bring judgment on Gog with pestilence and blood 5. With Gog overthrown, all nations will know that God is indeed the True and Living God Page 22

23 The overthrow of Gog - Ezekiel Gog s entire army would fall upon the mountains and fields 2. Not only the army would be destroyed, but all those who lived in the land of Magog 3. Their corpses would be left to the birds of prey and the beasts of the field for consumption The burial of Gog s army - Ezekiel Gog would be buried on the east side of the sea, in the valley of passengers 2. Some say that this is the Mediterranean Sea, while others say it was the Dead Sea 3. Still others say that it was literally the Jezreel Valley, they say this because this fits their teachings (although erroneous) regarding the Battle of Armageddon and the 1000-year reign 4. The burial of Gog would take place over a period of seven months, the seven months being a symbol of completeness Ezekiel s last vision was 25 years after the city was destroyed - Ezekiel Ezekiel is carried from Babylon back to Jerusalem 2. In Jerusalem a special messenger of God appeared at the gate 3. Ezekiel is told to declare to the house of Israel everything that he sees and hears The measuring of the temple - Ezekiel Instructions are given regarding measuring the temple The Lord returns to the temple - Ezekiel The glory of the Lord enters into the new temple as it had departed from the old 2. The measurements of the burnt offering altar are described 3. The specifications are given relative to the offerings placed on the altar 4. Under the Law of Moses, the priestly descendants of Aaron, ministered at the altar on behalf of the people 5. Zedock (sp) here mentioned was a priest during the time of David 6. Certain animals were specified to be offered on certain days and how they sacrificed Priests reproved and priests accepted - Ezekiel The defilement of the holy sanctuary - Ezekiel Ezekiel is told to mark well and behold with his eyes and hear all concerning the ordinances of the temple, the laws, and the entering into the house of God 2. He was told of the defilements of that the ungodly brought into the holy sanctuary 3. Some had brought strangers, uncircumcized in heart and flesh, polluting the temple 4. Priests who had digressed into sinful practices were demoted and punished Page 23

24 5. These priests were given lower jobs and had to bear the iniquity of their shameful abominations 6. The priestly sons of Zadock were praised and commended for keeping the charge of the Lord Monday July 3, 2006 Out of town - notes from Brother Derouin The priestly appearance - Ezekiel Appropriate garments were demanded while the priests officiated in the Lord s service 2. Shaved heads and long hair were not allowed and drinking wine was prohibited 3. Marital standards were to be honored as to whom they could or could not marry 4. Proper teaching was to be differentiated between right and wrong 5. Sabbath were to be respected 6. Bodily defilements were to be avoided, authorized offerings were to be made, and the priests were to be cared for The land was to be apportioned (divided) - Ezekiel Various regulations - Ezekiel The princes of Israel were encouraged to remove violence and spoil 2. They were encourage to practice justice and equity to all 3. God gave them legislation or instructions, on their various offerings 4. Grain and animal offerings were to continue until the ultimate sacrifice of all ages was given 5. Regulations were given regarding the feast of Passover and Tabernacles Worship regulations for princes, priests and people - Ezekiel The gate of the inner court, facing the east, had to be closed six working days and open Sabbath day, and the day of the new moon, which would be monthly 2. They were told how their voluntary offers were to be prepared and offered 3. Their offerings were to be made daily The princes gift - Ezekiel The prince is given instructions regarding the gifts he would make to his sons and servants 2. The gifts he gave to his servants were to only remain until the day of liberty, after that day they were to be returned to the prince for an inheritance to his son s 3. The prince was warned not to take by oppression, that which belonged to his subjects, in order to give to his sons 4. What he would give to his son s was to be from his inheritance and not what he stole from his subjects Page 24

25 Land Borders - Ezekiel The tribal boundaries are established - Ezekiel In verse 1-7 the tribal boundaries were established for seven (7) of the twelve (12) tribes 2. In Ezekiel 48:8-14, provisions were legislated for the location of the temple. It was to be located at the border of Judah 3. Provisions for the priestly sons of Zadok. The area belonging to the priests and Levites was not to be sold, exchanged or tampered with in any fashion 4. Ezekiel 48:23-29 contains the information relatives to the remaining five (5) tribes and their boundaries 5. Ezekiel 48:30-45 we find the final paragraph of Ezekiel that describes the twelve (12) gates of the new city Page 25