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Week 22. Day 1. Ezekiel 1-3.

Introduction to Ezekiel.

1v1 tells us that the prophet Ezekiel is in exile in Babylon. Remember that when Judah was taken into exile in Babylon, this actually happened in several stages.The first group of exiles has been taken, but Jerusalem is still standing and has not fallen to the Babylonians. So, the Jews in Jerusalem think they are better off than the exiles - but Ezekiel has a different message.

Ezekiel was a priest, and the temple is a major focus of Ezekiel’s message. Ezekiel prophesies the glory of the Lord departing from the temple—a reversal of the great promise of Exodus that God would dwell among his people. But the final chapters of Ezekiel prophesy a new temple, and a new city whose name is ‘The Lord is there’ (48:35).

Ezekiel 1-3.

Eze 1 Ezekiel’s vision of God

Ezekiel sees the Lord’s throne chariot, riding like a warrior in the storm to attack his people. This is dramatic language to picture the ‘likeness of the glory of the Lord’ (v28) Note: ‘eyes’ represent the Lord’s wisdom and all-seeing knowledge. Wheels (though hard to picture them here) signify movement.

Ch 1. As you read this chapter, spend some time reflecting on the imagery, and the picture that is painted.

What is Ezekiel’s response to this vision?

Hamilton: ‘The major reality of the prophecy of Ezekiel is Yahweh in his indescribable glory.’ 68 times in Ezekiel we find the phrase ‘you/they shall know that I am Yahweh.’

Eze 2-3 Call of Ezekiel

Note 2v2 the Spirit lifting Ezekiel to his feet and enabling him to speak.

What response is Ezekiel to expect from the people he speaks to?

3:16-27 How is Ezekiel’s role like that of a watchman?

3v26 Ezekiel will be ‘mute and unable to reprove them’ (ESV).

This clearly doesn’t mean he won’t say anything. Perhaps the better translation is that Ezekiel will be mute and unable to ‘mediate’ for the people, i.e. pray for them. At this stage in the prophecy, Ezekiel is unable to pray for the people, he can only deliver the message God gives: judgment. In Ch 33 Ezekiel’s mouth will be opened and he will no longer be mute - and what follows are the prophecies of good news (Ch 33-48).

NOTE: Days 1-5 of each week contain the scripture reading for that week. Day 6 has just the 'key chapters'. If you want a briefer version of this plan that still takes you through the whole Bible, you could just read the key chapters featured on day 6. Day 7 has the podcast video where we discuss the week's reading.