Ezekiel - Introductory Note to Chapters 40-48

Introductory Note to Chapters 40-48

These chapters describe a vision given to Ezekiel some twelve years after the prophecies of chapters 33-37 (cf. 40:1 with 33:21). In these earlier prophecies, he had declared to the exiles in Babylon God’s purpose to restore Israel to the holy land as a nation purified, redeemed and re-united. The question must have been much in the prophet’s mind how this restored community would be fashioned in its religious and political life; and in these chapters God gives to the prophet the answer to his questionings. There is first a description of sanctuary, to which Jehovah will come in glory, and in which He will take up His dwelling (40-43); second, regulations with regard to the ministers of the sanctuary, and to the ‘prince’ who shall rule over the people; and third, the boundaries of the land are defined, and the territories of the tribes.

            The question is sometimes asked whether the vision will be literally fulfilled. Why, however, should we suppose this any more than that the vision of chapter I is a literal portray of the divine Being? It is true that the prophets generally associate great changes in nature with the advent of ‘the day of the Lord’, and this is affirmed also in the New Testament (see, e.g., Rom. 8:21), but this is not to say that the vision which Ezekiel saw will find literal fulfillment. It is rather a setting forth, within the limits of Old Testament symbolism, of fundamental principles concerning God’s relation to His redeemed and sanctified people when He dwells in their midst in His glory. 

Search The Scriptures —Study 28 — Ezekiel 39

Study 28 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 39

1.     A further prophecy against God emphasizes the completeness of his overthrow. In what three ways is this brought out in verses 9-20, and what attributes of God’s character are thereby revealed (verses 21-29)?

2.     What is meant by the expression ‘I hid my face from them’ (verse 23)? Cf. Dt. 31:17; Pss. 30: 7; 104:29; Is. 8:17; 64:7. Consider the great blessing that is contained in the promise of verse 29.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 27 — Ezekiel 38

Study 27 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 38

In this chapter and the next the prophet foresees in the far distant future an invasion of Israel by nations lying beyond the circle of those with which Israel hitherto has had to do.  They, too must learn that the God of Israel alone is God, and they will learn it through meeting His power as they seek to plunder His land, and through being brought by Him to total defeat. Read Rev. 20:7-10 in conjunction with this chapter.

1.     In what two different ways are the causes of Gog’s invitation described? Contrast verses 4 and 16 with verses 10-12. And yet may not all thee verses describe one and the same cause? Cf. Rom. 9:17, 18.

2.     Cf. verses 18-23 with 37: 25-28. In what two ways will God bring the nations to know that He is God alone? Cf. Rom. 1:16-18; 9:22, 23; 11:17-22

Notes

1.     Verse 2. The name ‘Gog’ is probably Ezekiel’s own invention, formed by removing the first letter from the place-name Magog. It is pointless to try to identify these nations with modern states: they were simply tribes on the fringe of the known word in Ezekiel’s day with he uses for these apocalyptic pronouncements.

2.     Verse 13.  These are merchant nation, stirred to excitement by Gog’s invasion.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 26 — Ezekiel 37

Study 26  From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 37

1.Why were the people unable to believe Ezekiel’s prophecies of restoration and blessing?  See verse 11. Did the vision of verses 1-10 show that things were not so bad as or worse than they seemed? Yet, what happened, and why?

2.Notice that the regeneration of Israel came in two stages (verses 7-10). What would this have signified to Ezekiel? What part did he have to play in the change that took place? Are the spiritually dead coming to life as a result of your witness and praying?

3.Verses 15-28 are a glorious picture of the purified, restored and reunited Israel. Note the five great features of the Messianic kingdom described in verses 24-27. What light does this passage throw upon the conditions and blessings of Christian unity?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 25 — Ezekiel 36:16-38

Study 25 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel  36: 16-38

1.     Consider carefully in this remarkable passage the following points: (a) why the Lord cast the people into exile (verses 16-19); (b) why He brought them back (verses 20-24); (c) the change wrought in their moral and spiritual condition (verses 25-31). Reflect how closely the prophet's teaching here anticipates the New Testament revelation of the steps by which God transforms a sinner into a saint. See particular Rom. 3, 5, 6 and 8.

2.     How will the change in the people and their restored prosperity affect the surrounding nations? See verses 35, 36 and cf. Jn. 17:21, 23.

Notes

1.     Verse 20. ‘They profaned my holy name’: because the nations, seeing them cast out, concluded their God could not protect them.  Cf. Ps. 42:10.

2.     Verse 26.  ‘Heart of stone’: cf. 2:4; 3:7; Zc. 7:12. ‘A heart of flesh’: i.e., sensitive to the divine Word.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 24 — Ezekiel 35:1 – 36:15

Study 24  From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 35:1 – 36:15

In this section the prophet declares that the new ear will be better than the past, because of the greater fertility of the land. When he uttered this prophecy, the land of Israel seemed ruined. Edom (Mount Seir) was seeking to obtain possession (35:10; 36:5), and the mountains of Israel lay desolate (36:4). The prophet declares, first a judgment upon Edom (chapter 35), and then a return of Israel to enjoy times of unprecedented prosperity (36:1-15).

1.     Chapter 35. What are the three sins of Edom, mentioned in verses 5 and 10, for which they will be judged?  Notice how frequently the punishment foretold exactly matches the Edomites’ sin, e.g., verses 5 and 9; verse 6; verses 14, 15. How does Ezekiel show that even in their hour of judgment God still identifies himself with His people, Israel?

2.     Summarize the blessings promised to Israel in 36:8-15. If you interpret the restored land as a picture of our inheritance in Christ, what spiritual blessings are typified in these verses?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 23 — Ezekiel 34

Study 23 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 34

The new era will be different from what has gone before, because of a change of shepherd, i.e., ruler.

1.     What, according to verses 1-10, was the inherent vice of the rulers of the past, which brought disaster upon the nation? Contrast their methods (verses 4-6) with those of God (verses 11-16) Cf. 1 Pet. 5:1-4.

2.     What blessings are declared in verses 23-31 as following the coming of the Messiah? Interpreting them spiritually, what may we learn from these verses concerning God’s gifts to us in Christ? Cf. Ps. 23; Heb. 13:20, 21.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 22 — Ezekiel 33

Introductory Note to Chapters 33-39

These chapters all belong, to the second period of the prophets’ ministry after the fall of Jerusalem (see Introduction and Analysis). The only mention of a date is 33:21, but the prophecies all presuppose that God’s judgment upon the guilty city and nation, long predicted, has come to pass.

Study 22 From the Book of Ezekiel is: Ezekiel 33

The prophet had known from the first that part of his commission was to be a watchman (cf. 3:16-21), but now the time had come to put it into practice: for in the new era that was dawning, only those who individually repented and returned to God would live.

1.     In what terms does Ezekiel express the need for repentance? What kind of behaviour is expected of the wicked man when he repents? Cf. Acts 26:20; Rev. 2:5.

2.     Compare the two current sayings quoted in verses 10 and 24. Observe where they were current, and how the one is despairing, the other confident. What is God’s answer in each case?

3.     Why did the prophet suddenly become more bold to speak, and the people more curious to hear his words? See verses 30-33. What, however, was lacking in their new interest? Cf. Mt. 7:26, 27.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 70 — Psalm 89: 38-52

Study 70 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 89: 38-52

With this study from the book of psalms we are taking a pause here and tomorrow we will go back once again to the book of Ezekiel.

1.     Notice the repeated ‘thou’ in verses 38-46. It is the same God of steadfast love, faithfulness and power, extolled in the earlier part of the psalm, who has brought about the downfall of the king and the desolation of the land. This constitutes the psalmist’s dilemma. What bold requests for God’s speedy action does he make (verse 46-51), and on what does he base them?

2.     What may we learn form the psalmist’s example when circumstances seem to call God’s character and promises into question? How does faith survive in such situations? Cf. Gn. 18:25; Rom 11:29, 33; Phil. 1:6.

Note. Verse 52 is a doxology to close Book III of the Psalms

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Search The Scriptures —Study 69 — Psalms 89: 1-37

Study 69 From the Book of Psalms is: Psalms 89: 1-37

This psalm vividly depicts the conflict of faith. In the first part (verses 1-37) the psalmist praises the Lord, who is reverenced in heaven and on earth, as the Victor over chaos, and the covenant God and Father of Israel’s king and people. In the second part (verses 38:-52) , however, it is clear that the king has suffered a serious military reverse.

1.     Verses 5-18 expand verses 1 and 2. What attributes of God are extolled? How is the blessedness of God’s people described?

2.     Verses 19-37 expand verses 3 and 4 concerning God’s covenant. Ponder the scope, the conditions and the generosity of God’s promises.

Notes

1.     Verse 3. The original occasion is described in 2 Sa. 7, recalled in 2 Sa. 23:5, and celebrated in Ps. 132: IIff.

2.     In verses 9:14 the pronouns ‘thou’ and ‘thine’ are emphatic.

3.     Verse 10. Rahab was originally used to refer to the forces of chaos subdued at creation (cf. Jb. 26:12). But here and in Is. 51:9 (cf. Ps. 74:12ff.) the imagery is used to refer to the exodus from Egypt, when God’s mighty power was shown in redemption.

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