Preview of Ezekiel Ezekiel was contemporary with Jeremiah and Daniel, although Jeremiah may have been as much as twenty years older. Daniel was taken captive in the first Babylonian invasion (606 B.C.) and Ezekiel in the second (597 B.C.). Ezekiel and Daniel ministered only in captivity, whereas Jeremiah prophesied in Judah for the last forty years before Jerusalem fell. Ezekiel preached mainly to the exiles, and Daniel ministered in Babylon's royal court. From the similar language in Jeremiah and Ezekiel, we see God speaking a parallel message to His wayward people, though they were separated from one another by distance and circumstances. Idolatry continued among the Jewish exiles in Babylon. The judgment of captivity had not stirred them to repentance. Only a small remnant responded to Ezekiel's message. The majority listened to false prophets, lost faith in Jehovah's covenant promises, and succumbed to the evil influences that surrounded them. Ezekiel is known as "The Prophet of Visions." The very first verse of his book reads, "The heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God." Some of his other visions are described in 8:1-11:24; 37:1-10; and 40:1-48:35. Besides speaking through visions, God revealed Himself and His ways to Ezekiel and the people through symbolic acts (signs) and allegories. Ten symbolic acts are described in chapters 4, 5, 12, 21, 24, and 37. Six allegories are found in chapters 15-17, 23, and 24. Many other Messianic passages and prophecies of things to come were revealed through symbolism and imagery. Repeated frequently in this book are phrases such as "son of man," "the word of the LORD," and "LORD GOD." God's purpose is made clear by the repeated words "and ye [they] shall know that I am the LORD" (more than fifty times).
The fall of Jerusalem (586 B.C.) brought a turning point in Ezekiel's ministry. Prior to that event (chapters 1-24), his message was mostly a call to repentance in light of coming judgment. After Jerusalem fell, his message become one of consolation as he looked forward to the return of a believing remnant and Israel's restoration and blessing (chapters 33-48). From the first chapter of Ezekiel to the last, God's sovereignty and glory are prominent. He is sovereign in Israel and in the affairs of the whole world. Studying this book should give us a new vision of God's glory. With renewed determination and purpose, let us commit ourselves to worship and glorify the Lord of heaven and earth.
Lesson 1 2 August 2015 The Vision of God's Glory Lesson Scope: Ezekiel 1 Unless otherwise noted all references are from the Book of Ezekiel Lesson Focus The Book of Ezekiel begins with Ezekiel as a captive from Judah, living in Babylon. God called Ezekiel and sent him as a prophet to his fellow captives with a message of judgment. Ezekiel also delivered a message of hope and blessing for those who would repent and turn to God. The recurring theme of Ezekiel's message is stated approximately sixtytwo times in this book: "They shall know that I am the LORD." Before sending Ezekiel to preach, God gave him a glimpse of His power and majesty through the vision of heavenly beings (Ezekiel 1). A proper view of God's greatness and our unworthiness must always precede effective Christian service. The majesty and glory of God fill heaven and earth. When men perceive His greatness, they are inspired to worship and serve Him. While the Book of Ezekiel may include some things that are harder to understand, apply yourself to the study of the book and find the blessing for us today! Imagine Ezekiel's job in chapter one, trying to describe to us an indescribable vision of God's glory. Ezekiel was called and commissioned to do some very difficult tasks. God calls those who are willing. How willing am I to stand for truth? How willing am I to serve in kingdom work? A proper view of God brings a sense of unworthiness and a feeling of indebtedness to God. This issues into a life of faithful service. Lesson Aim: To be inspired anew by God's glory and sovereignty. Theme Verse: Revelation 4:8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Lesson Text The Orderly Cherubim Ezekiel 1:1-20 1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. 2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity, 3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him. 4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. 6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. 7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. 8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. 9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. 10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. 11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. 12 And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went. 13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. 14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. 15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. 16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. 18 As
for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. 19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. 20 Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. The Lord Upon His Throne Ezekiel 1:26-28 26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. 27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. 28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. Questions for Study The Orderly Cherubim 1. How might God speak "expressly" to us today (1:3)? 2. How does God call us to service in His kingdom? 3. How does the fact of God's immutability strengthen the Christian? 4. What should be some responses of a man who acknowledges God's omniscience? 5. List ways we can be involved in the progressing work of God's kingdom. The Lord Upon His Throne 6. From Revelation 20:11-15, describe man's meeting with God on His throne. 7. How does God's appearance in the likeness of a man inspire the Christian? 8. What are some indications of a proper reverence for God?
Analyzing the Passage The living creatures in Ezekiel's vision are cherubim or angels. They are described in more detail in Ezekiel 10. Cherubim are usually associated with worship. Two cherubim were placed on the mercy seat above the ark. Cherubim were also woven into the tabernacle curtains. The actions of the cherubim suggest power "straight forward" (1:9, 12) and "as the appearance of a flash of lightning" (1:14). The noise of their flight was like "the voice of the Almighty" (1:24). "The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest" (1:3). This suggests clarity and force. "The hand of the LORD... upon him" (1:3) signifies that the visions of the book reveal the purpose and work of God. "A whirlwind came out of the north" (1:4). North in the Bible at times refers to the place where God dwells. Principles and Applications The Orderly Cherubim 1. The Lord's hand is sovereignly placed on those who love and serve Him (1:3). While God employs angels as His ministering servants in heaven, He often accomplishes His purposes on earth by the hands and feet of willing, faithful men. God chose Ezekiel from among the captives to bear His message to the people. He gave Ezekiel a clear message both of judgment for sin and of hope through repentance. God did not commission Ezekiel to preach to the rebellious house of Israel and then abandon him. Rather, "the hand of the Lord was there upon him," indicating God's enabling power. God's hand is still upon His servants today, whether it be the minister, the parent, the schoolteacher, or the missionary. "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24). 2. God's purposes move straight forward, unhindered by any contesting force (1:9, 12). Men often need to adjust their plans or give them up for a better idea. There are no mistakes or dead ends in God's purposes. He sovereignly superintends the events of this world. His kingdom will spread and triumph in all the earth, unhindered by Satan and his forces. "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain" (Psalm 76:10). If we want to be part of the final triumph of God's kingdom, we need to be faithfully serving Him today.
3. The heavenly creatures exemplify worship and service (1:11-12, 14). Each cherub had four wings. Two wings were folded over their bodies a picture of worship and reverence before the almighty God. The other two wings were uplifted for service, with each wing touching the wing of the cherub beside it. This depicts united effort. The creatures darted back and forth, as flashes of lightning, prompt to do God's bidding. How quick am I to do God's bidding? Can God guide me with His eye? Or does it take hard circumstances to arrest my attention? When God guides me through the voice of the church, am I responsive to His direction? The answer to these questions will largely be determined by the quality of our worship. 4. God is absolutely pure and perpetually active (1:13-14). The appearance of fire (1:13) is associated with divine presence and power. These heavenly servants were prompt, untiring, and minutely directing the affairs of men. We are often unaware of how God works for our wellbeing. His guardian angels protect us from many dangers. Our lives should be patterned after these heavenly beings, being yielded to God in tireless service in His kingdom. 5. God moves with precision to accomplish His purposes (1:16). The events of our lives are according to God's timetable. Sometimes God blesses us with prosperity; other times He blesses us through adversity. Who are we to question God's movings among men? 6. God is omniscient in the working of all nature and history (1:18). As the living creatures were full of eyes round about, so God's eye is everywhere present. Nothing escapes His eye. "Whither shall I flee from thy presence?" (Psalm 139:7). Rather than futilely trying to escape from God's sight, we should respond as the psalmist did: "Search me, 0 God, and know my heart, try me, and know my thoughts" (Psalm 139:23). God's omniscience is a comforting thought to us; we are always within His watchful care. 7. God's government is orderly, controlled, and progressing (1:19). The wheels of the living creatures functioned in their place. They served their purpose while on the ground, and they lifted off with the creatures when they went into the heavens. We are privileged to be a part of God's kingdom today. Sometimes God calls us to go; sometimes He calls us to stay. Wherever God places us in His work, we are a part of His progressing kingdom. Those who faith-
fully serve God in life are promised a place in God's eternal kingdom. The Lord Upon His Throne 8. God's throne is above all (1:26). Ezekiel saw this vision in the heavens. Above the creatures, he saw the firmament; above the firmament, he saw God's throne. "Above upon" the throne was God. God reigns supreme on the earth and in the heavens. Yet He bows to hear the cry of the humble. The knowledge of God's supremacy and majesty should produce feelings of awe and unworthiness and dedication to the praise and service of God. 9. God has revealed Himself to mankind in the form of a man (1:26). This corresponds with the creation account in Genesis 1:27: "God created man in his own image." This fact separated men from the rest of creation. We were created in God's likeness with the capacity to worship and serve Him. In the fullness of time, Christ "was made in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7). By taking on the limitations of an earthly body, Christ was able to purchase our salvation through His death on the cross. Since we are made in God's likeness, we can have fellowship with Him. This contrasts sharply with the worship of false gods, in which the worshipers try to appease the wrath of imaginary hideous beings. 10. Our great God deserves our reverence and godly fear (1:28). "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:10, 11). We have the choice; we can voluntarily bow and worship God today and yield our lives to His service. Or we can refuse to serve Him, only to bow and acknowledge His sovereignty when the opportunity to repent has passed. Like Ezekiel, as we catch a glimpse of God's greatness and glory, let us surrender our lives to Him in obedience and service. Important Teachings 1. The Lord's hand is sovereignly placed on those who love and serve Him (1:3). 2. God's purposes move straight forward, unhindered by any contesting force (1:9, 12). 3. The heavenly creatures exemplify worship and service (1:11-12, 14). 4. God is absolutely pure and perpetually active (1:13-14). 5. God moves with precision to accomplish His purposes (1:16).
6. God is omniscient in the working of all nature and history (1:18). 7. God's government is orderly, controlled, and progressing (1:19). 8. God's throne is above all (1:26). 9. God has revealed Himself to mankind in the form of a man (1:26). 10. Our great God deserves our reverence and godly fear (1:28). Answers to Questions 1. How might God speak "expressly" to us today (1:3)? We hear God's voice as we read His Word and commune with Him in prayer. God speaks through the preaching of His servants. God also arrests our attention through the circumstances of life. 2. How does God call us to service in His kingdom? He usually calls us through the voice of the church. "Will you serve on the mission field?" "Will you teach school for us?" "Will you teach Sunday school?" "Will you accept this writing assignment?" Opportunities abound for one who is ready to serve in God's work. 3. How does the fact of God's immutability strengthen the Christian? We already know which side will triumph. The battle is not ours, but God's. God makes no mistakes; all events of life are according to His perfect timetable. 4. What should be some responses of a man who acknowledges God's omniscience? He will respond in humility, sensing a feeling of unworthiness. "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?" (Psalm 8:4). He will respond in obedience, for God sees us. He will respond in praise and worship. "Thou art worthy, 0 Lord." He will respond in faithfulness. "Here am I; send me." 5. List ways we can be involved in the progressing work of God's kingdom. One important way is right at home faithfully raising sons and daughters to fear God and serve Him. Remember, they are our only "possessions" we can take along to heaven. We can help in the publishing work of the church by accepting writing or artwork assignments. We can witness for God at home or on the mission field. We can encourage others by words, letters, prayers, smiles, or songs. 6. From Revelation 20:11-15, describe man's meeting with God on His throne.
God was sitting, sovereignly in control as Judge, upon a great white throne. Heaven and earth fled away, unable to stand before God's face. All the dead, both small and great, stood before God. They were judged, every man, by the accurate report in the books. 7. How does God's appearance in the likeness of a man inspire the Christian? God sees; He understands; He knows us. Christ's willingness to take on the physical limitations of a human body makes Him a perfect High Priest, Intercessor, and Elder Brother to us. 8. What are some indications of a proper reverence for God? I will willingly obey God's Word. I will appreciate and follow the direction of the church. I will give God first place and yield my life in humble service. I will confess God before my fellow men and practice separation from the world. Summarizing the Lesson The Lord is King! lift up your voice, 0 earth; and all ye heav'ns, rejoice: From world to world the joy shall ring, "The Lord Omnipotent is King!" The Lord is King! who then shall dare Resist His will, distrust His care, Or murmur at His wise decrees, Or doubt His royal promises? The Lord is King! Child of the dust, The Judge of all the earth is just; Holy and true are all His ways: Let ev'ry creature speak His praise. One Lord, one empire, all secures; He reigns, and life and death are yours: Thro' earth and heav'n one song shall ring, "The Lord Omnipotent is King!" Josiah Condor Research Guide Study Halley's Bible Handbook, pages 323-326.