Ezekiel 1:1-3 An introduction to the book of Ezekiel is given.
Ezekiel 1:4-14 A vision of the glory of God, with living creatures in a storm is described.
Ezekiel 1:15-21 Wheels are beside the creatures. The spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
Ezekiel 1:22-28 The appearance of God’s glory is given. The expanse above the creatures was awesome. Then a voice called to him; he saw a creature on a throne.
Ezekiel 2:1-5 Ezekiel’s commission was to speak to a rebellious people (Israel).
Ezekiel 2:6-7 Ezekiel was encouraged to speak regardless of their response.
Ezekiel 2:8-3:11 Ezekiel was instructed to eat the scroll. Nature of message was on the scroll…woes and laments. Scroll tasted as sweet as honey. Ezekiel was to understand the word before he could share it with the people.
Ezekiel 3:12-15 Ezekiel was raised up by the Spirit. Taken to exiles in Babylon (he was angry and anguished). Mourned for seven days; he was overwhelmed by his task.
Ezekiel 3:16-21 After seven days, Ezekiel was told to be a watchman for Israel. He would be responsible for warning people…but not for the choice they were free to make.
Ezekiel 3:22-27 Ezekiel was bound in his house and rendered mute (for 7 ½ years until the fall of Jerusalem). He was only allowed to speak when the Lord opened his mouth.
Ezekiel 4-7 Overthrow of City and State Predicted
Dramatic Prophetic Actions With Respect to the Siege of Jerusalem
Ezekiel 4 He drew Jerusalem on brick, simulated a siege against it. Lay on his side for 390 days to commemorate the years of Israel’s sins. Then lay on his other side for 40 days to commemorate the years of Judah’s sins. Ezekiel was mute this whole time.
Ezekiel 5:1-4 He was told to shave his head and beard, a sign of humiliation and disgrace. Burn 1/3; strike 1/3 with sword; scatter 1/3 to wind. Shaving was symbolic of fate of the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 5:5-17 Full explanation of what Ezekiel’s actions meant is given.
Ezekiel 6 A judgment prophesies against Judah. All the high places, shrines would be destroyed. Only way to escape would be to turn to the Lord (a small remnant would). Ezekiel exhibited joy in knowing that the end of wickedness was near.
Ezekiel 7:14-27 Response to judgment. People will experience famine, disease, and despair. People will run to the prophets, priests, but they will have no answers.
Ezekiel 8-11 The Sin and Fate of Jerusalem
Ezekiel 8:1-18 The idolatry of the House of Israel is described.
Ezekiel 8:1-4 The Spirit (in a vision) lifted him up and took him to Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 8:5-18 Abominations in the temple are happening. A statue of jealousy stood in the entryway of the temple. 70 elders worshiping various idols are seen in the temple. Another 25 men were worshiping the sun.
Ezekiel 9:1-8 Guards and the man with the writing kit. Man was to place a mark on the forehead of each one who grieved over detestable things done in the temple. Guards were to kill all those who did not grieve. Ezekiel thought all would be lost.
Ezekiel 9:9-11 An explanation of God’s judgment is given.
Ezekiel 10:1-7 Man was to take fire from coals of cherubim, pour it out over city.
Ezekiel 10:8-22 Living beings (ch. 1) are cherubim here. God’s glory departed from the temple and went to the cherubim’s throne-chariot. Departure of God’s glory was due to corruption in Jerusalem and Judah.
Ezekiel 11:1-13 Judgment against the leaders of Jerusalem. Leaders had given false counsel, rejected the prophets. Image of pot and meat: Jerusalem was the pot, they would be outside. The death of one of the elders caused Ezekiel to fear the Lord would destroy all.
Ezekiel 11:14-21 Remnant will be gathered from the nations. They will be kept by God through the captivity, and then will be brought back.
Ezekiel 11:22-25 The chariot of the cherubim carried God’s glory out of Jerusalem. Ezekiel reported all to the people.
Ezekiel 12-19 Moral Necessity of the Captivity
Ezekiel 12:1-16 Ezekiel was to act out deportation scene. Pack a few belongings, dig through the wall, and go to another place. People were supposed to ask what he was doing. Then he would explain in detail…their despicable acts would result in deportation. More detainees would be brought to Babylon.
Ezekiel 12:17-20 Ezekiel was to shiver and quiver while he ate and drank which would be symbolic of the fear and horror that would come upon the people.
Ezekiel 12:21-28 The days were near when this vision would be fulfilled.
Ezekiel 13:1-16 Prophecy against the prophets who were prophesying falsely. Those in exile were being told that judgment was not imminent; hope was on the way.
Ezekiel 13:17-23 Judgment against the prophetesses. Many of them were involved in divination and sorcery. They had led many righteous astray.
Ezekiel 14:1-11 Some came to inquire of Ezekiel, but held idols in their hearts. The Lord would not tolerate such hypocrisy, but would give them over to the idols. Urged the false prophets to condemn themselves.
Ezekiel 14:12-23 Can Jerusalem be saved by a few righteous men? No is the definite answer.
Ezekiel 15 A parable about a useless vine. The vine was useless while alive, how much less value after it has been burned. The vine is symbolic of the people of Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 16 The History of Jerusalem Symbolized by a Prostitute
Ezekiel 16:15-34 She takes his gifts and gives them to others (prostitutes herself), bribing them to come to her.
Ezekiel 16:35-43 Judgment against Jerusalem; since she had played the harlot, her lovers would now publicly discipline her
Ezekiel 16:44-58 Cities of Jerusalem, Sodom, and Samaria likened as sisters. Judgment against Jerusalem for following after Canaanite pagans is sure.
Ezekiel 16:59-63 After judgment will be restoration. But only after Jerusalem would remember her evil ways and be ashamed. The Lord would establish his covenant and they will know he is Lord.
Ezekiel 17 Riddle and parable about eagles. First eagle (Babylon) took king and leaders to Babylon. Planted them there in good soil. Second eagle (Egypt)…Jerusalem turned toward him. Rebelled against Babylon, cannot prosper. King (Zedekiah) will be brought to Babylon, all will be lost. After judgment comes restoration “so that you will know I am the Lord”.
Ezekiel 18 Issue of Individual Responsibility
Ezekiel 18:1-4 Proverb of “fathers eat sour grapes…” kids suffer. “As surely as I live, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel”.
Ezekiel 18:5-18 Three generations illustrate proverb. Righteous father will live; unrighteous son will not; righteous grandson will live.
Ezekiel 18:19-32 Explanation of the proverb. Each one will be judged according to his ways.
Ezekiel 19:1-14 A lament for the princes of Israel. The leaders are not worthy to lead the people back to the Lord. Illustrated with imagery of lioness and her cubs. First cub: Jehoahaz…died in Egypt. Second cub: Jehoiakim – brought to Babylon. Imagery of a vine: Jerusalem…will be plucked up, cast to the ground. Taken into captivity.
Ezekiel 20-24 Israel’s Coming Downfall Inevitable and Necessary
Ezekiel 20:1-9 Remembrance of God’s saving acts in the Exodus. They grumbled against God.
Ezekiel 20:10-26 Remembrance of God’s tender care in the wilderness. They rebelled against God.
Ezekiel 20:27-29 Remembrance of God’s giving them the land of Canaan. They turned to other gods.
Ezekiel 20:30-44 Rebellion continues to the present time (of Ezekiel).
Ezekiel 21:1-7 Description of the judgment that was about to come. Parable of a fire of southern forest (southern kingdom of Judah) is given.
Ezekiel 21:8-17 Ezekiel sang a poem about a sharp sword, ready for use. The slayer (Babylon) was poised to use it. Again Ezekiel clapped his hands in joy; evil will come to an end.
Ezekiel 21:18-27 Judgment by Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar would come to a fork in the road. Jerusalem or Ammon? Divination would lead to Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar would be God’s instrument of wrath.
Ezekiel 21:28-32 Judgment against the Ammonites would be postponed.
Ezekiel 22:1-16 Judgment for systematically violated Mosaic covenant. Contemporary Jerusalem had become a city of abominations.
Ezekiel 22:17-22 Like dross they will be gathered for purification through fire.
Ezekiel 22:23-31 Utter failure of priests and princes to provide good leadership.
Ezekiel 23 Allegory of Israel’s Political Prostitution
Two sisters (Oholah and Oholibah) gave birth to sons and daughters (Samaria and Jerusalem, respectively). Oholah (northern kingdom) gave herself to the Assyrians. The Lord handed her to her lovers; she was annihilated (722BC). Oholibah saw this, yet was worse than her sister. Went after Babylonians, Assyrians, and Egyptians. The Lord was about to hand her over to her enemies. Spoke of a “cup of wrath” she must drink. Ezekiel was to judge both women, to prosecute them. They must bear the consequences of their abominations.
Ezekiel 24 The Beginning of the Siege of Jerusalem
Ezekiel 24:1-14Parable of the cooking pot. Boiling meat in pot represented inhabitants of Jerusalem who would boil in siege. Contents would boil away, remaining contents would be removed. Pot itself would remain on the fire until it would melt.
Ezekiel 24:15-24 Death of Ezekiel’s wife. The Lord forbad him to mourn…time for mourning had past Unnatural response to death caught eye of contemporaries. Just as Ezekiel lost his wife, so the inhabitants would lose the temple.
Ezekiel 24:25-27 When the siege of Jerusalem was complete, Ezekiel would no longer be mute.
The people of Israel will be restored from the nations. Those who have been scattered will be gathered to live in safety.
Ezekiel 29-32 Judgment Against Egypt
Ezekiel 29:1-16 Imagery of crocodile used to represent Pharaoh. Crocodile will be pulled from Nile and destroyed. As a nation, Egypt was never a true support of Israel.
Ezekiel 29:17-21 Egypt will be reward for Babylon for looting of Tyre.
Ezekiel 30:1-19 Babylon’s invasion of Egypt. A day of Egypt – would result in destruction of Egypt (Babylon never really invaded Egypt, so this prophecy was not fulfilled).
Ezekiel 30:20-26 Egypt tried to interrupt Babylon’s siege of Jerusalem. For that, Egypt’s “arm” would be broken (indicates the waning of its strength).
Ezekiel 31:1-18 Egypt’s fall likened to the fall of Assyria. Assyria had become filled with pride in its greatness…still fell. Egypt’s splendor would be brought low as well.
Ezekiel 32:1-16 Dirge for Egypt: Portrayed Egypt as dead, the “daughters of the nations” would sing over it.
Ezekiel 32:17-32 A summary of the lament over Egypt. Ezekiel wailed for Egyptians for they would descend into the pit of Sheol. Like all the nations, God would bring his terror on Egypt because Egypt brought terror on many nations (including Israel).
C. Prophesies of the Restitution of Israel
Ezekiel 33 The Prophet: His Function in Preparation for the Restitution
Ezekiel 33:1-20 A warning for the exiles. Echoes Ezekiel’s commission as a watchman and the role of individual responsibility. Thus far, the people had not heeded Ezekiel’s warnings. This is his final shot “Why die, Turn to the Lord”. People accept that their own sins were causing judgment. The Lord delights in those who turn from sin. Each will be judged according to his own ways.
Ezekiel 33:21-33 The fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecy will be that Jerusalem has fallen. Ezekiel was no longer mute. Now the people were questioning the outcome of the land promised to Abraham. Prior to the fall, they had looked upon Ezekiel with mockery. Now the people realized that a true prophet was among them.
Ezekiel 34 The Corrupt Priesthood
Ezekiel 34:1-6 Prophecy against the shepherds (leaders). They had not cared for the flock, but only cared for themselves. A true leader cares for those he leads.Now the sheep had been scattered.
Ezekiel 34:7-31 Accountability of the shepherds. The Lord will rescue his own sheep, and bring them back to their land. Renewal of the Davidic covenant. Established a new covenant of peace with them. God would provide new and perfect leadership for them.
Ezekiel 35-36 the Land: Israel to be Restored and Made Fruitful
Ezekiel 35:1-15 Oppressors would be removed. As a representative nation, Edom was singled out for retribution. Edom would become desolate for her sins against Judah. The result would be that Edomites would know the Lord.
Ezekiel 36:1-15 Encouragements for Israel: They had suffered enough; those who inflicted excessive pain would now suffer. After judgment comes blessing. Israel would return to its land; the land would rejoice. The land would never be deprived of Israel again. Israel would never again bear such reproach.
Ezekiel 36:16-21 Justification for the scattering of Israel among the nations. They defiled the land with their idols; they had to leave.
Ezekiel 36:22-32 Detailed plan for restoring Israel to the land. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you”.
Ezekiel 36:33-38 The effective results of that return. Towns will be resettled; buildings will be rebuilt. Desolate land will become fruitful. The people will be numerous as sheep.
Ezekiel 37 The Dry Bones of Israel; The Reunion of Judah and Israel
Ezekiel 37:1-14 A vision of bones and restoration. Ezekiel prophesied to dry bones in a valley. As he prophesied, the Lord caused them to regenerate. When they were fully formed, they had no breath. He prophesied again, and the breath came from the four winds. The army of bones was alive! Symbolizes the restoration of a people who had been dead for a long time.
Ezekiel 37:15-28 The joining of two sticks to symbolize unity of the two nations. Ezekiel wrote Judah on one stick, Ephraim on the other Joined them together to indicate the two nations would be one. People would be cleansed from their former sins. One king (Davidic) would rule over them. The Lord will make an everlasting covenant of peace with them. Then the nations will know the Lord.
Ezekiel 38-39 The Lord to Defend Israel Against Gog's Invasion
Ezekiel 38:1-23 Prophecy against Gog. After the restoration, Gog devised an evil plan…to attack unsuspecting Israel. Gathered many other nations to join him. God was using Gog to show the nations he was the God of Israel. He would cause an enormous earthquake, rain, hailstones Gog would be defeated. God’s holy name would be vindicated.
Ezekiel 39:9-20 After this there will be peace, total disarmament. People will burn their weapons for fuel…it would take seven years. It would take seven months to bury all the dead from Gog’s army. Thereafter, people would walk the land looking for remnant bodies.
Ezekiel 39:9-20 After this there will be peace, total disarmament. People will burn their weapons for fuel…it would take seven years. It would take seven months to bury all the dead from Gog’s army. Thereafter, people would walk the land looking for remnant bodies.
D. More Prophesies of the Restitution of Israel
Ezekiel 40-43 Description of the New Temple
Ezekiel 40:1-4 An apocalyptic vision. Fifteen years after the fall, Ezekiel was taken to a high mountain. Divine messenger of bronze spoke to him.
Ezekiel 40:5-27 The outer court. A description of the gates and measurement of the outer court are given.
Ezekiel 40:28-47 The inner court. A description of the gates, the rooms for preparation and the priests are given.
Ezekiel 40:48-41:26 The House of God. Description of the temple structure, outer and inner sanctuaries are given.
Ezekiel 42:1-14 The priests’ buildings: Two buildings (north and south) provided a place
for the administering priests, a place to change garments, eat the holy offerings
Ezekiel 42:15-20 The temple area. The messenger measured all sides: they were 500 cubits square
(A cubit is roughly 18-20 inches). This area provided a space between the holy (the Temple) and unholy space.
Ezekiel 43:1-12The return of the glory of God to the temple is seen. Then the messenger took Ezekiel to the gate facing east. There he saw the glory of God returning, and filling the temple with his glory. This would have been very heartening for the Israelites. It was a great promise that God would return after they had been cleansed and after the temple had been reconstructed.
Ezekiel 44-46 New Service of Worship With Ideal Ministry and Sacrificial System
Ezekiel 44:1-3 Directive that the east gate remain shut in honor of God’s glory.
Ezekiel 44:4-16 Temple regulations involving entrances and exits. Priests would function as leaders, teaching holiness by their lives. Duties of Levites would be distinct from duties of priests.
Ezekiel 44:17-31 Regulations and functions of the priests are described.