The Bible itself is arguably the best selling and most read book of all time, yet its well known to be quite challenging to read through and understand. And their appearance and their workmanship was like a wheel . (My Jewish Learning), The idea of a heavenly chariot is not unique to Ezekiel. Preface and glimpse of the spirit world. Ezekiels vision will be fulfilled some day; only time will tell if todays scenario in the Middle East is a direct precursor to it. Macbeth Dreams Visions and Hallucinations Rereading, The Art of Paul Kane: Visions from the Wilderness, Turish Visions For Sustainable Renewable Energy Environmental Sciences Essay, The Visions of the Narrator in the Cathedral by Raymond Carver, Write Now he sees His return, to occupy and to consecrate this new building to be His holy sanctuary. God's prophecy is emblazoned on a banderole held by putti: "Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live; I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath into you, and ye shall live; and ye. A Flemish enamel depicting Ezekiel 9, a vision in which those who grieved Israels sin had their foreheads marked in order to save them from Divine punishment for sins. Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. 41. Unfortunately, at Ezekiel's time most of God's chosen people had been carried back to . f) The Discharge (32:6) 32:6 "I will also make the land drink the discharge of your blood As far as . Wood engraving, published in 1886. ezekiel stock illustrations. Here, Daniel described the appearance of an angel as having "the likeness of a man" wearing "a robe of fine linen and a belt of pure gold around his waist." This description is quite similar to Ezekiel's vision, though details such as the specific garment and belt are . The book of Ezekiel pronounces judgment on both Israel and surrounding nations, but it also provides a vision of the future millennial kingdom that complements and adds to the vision of other Old and New Testament texts. The student is to summarize Youngbloods basic approach to the OT and, in this process, reflect on the way in which the story develops through each of the topics outlined in his work (identify the relationship between the different topics)., Ch. Later, the same glory filled Solomons temple, consecrating the Lords house (1 Kings 8:11). But the Lord would open their graves and bring them back to the land. . The first major vision can be found in Ezekiel 1:4-28. 1:5 ), but with bronze legs and hooved feet ( Ezek. Yahwehs departure from the temple is a judgment on Judah, but its also an act of compassion. (2016, Dec 30). It would be extremely humbling to them for them to have to rebuild their worship place to God. This is perhaps the most well known passage in Ezekiel. Ezekiel 36 reveals God's prophetic plan for the nation Israel. database? Tearing Down False Promises: The War of Gog and Magog. When the Philistines destroyed the tabernacle at Shiloh, they took Yahwehs ark back home as a war trophy, where Yahweh made war on Israels enemies (1 Sam. In this film, created for Practical Matters by independent documentary filmmaker Sonia Narang, an Indian Jewish visual artist works with a group of high school students at the SAR Academy, a modern Orthodox day school in New York City. From a distance, Ezekiel sees what Israel saw, a storm wind and a great cloud flashing with lightning and fire. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases on Amazon.com. Sadly, only a small percentage of the worlds population seems to realize that it is God who has done these great things. Where is Israel in this process of resurrection? biblica. published on 27 September 2018. [26] The image of the valley of dry bones returning to life in chapter 37 signifies the restoration of the purified Israel. Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rebuked the worlds leaders for this lie in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Oct. 1, 2015: Irans rulers promise to destroy my country, murder my people, and the response from this body the response from nearly every one of the governments represented here has been absolutely nothing utter silence deafening silence.. In general this report details (1) the vision that John saw of Jesus Christ, (2) the message that Jesus Christ gave to the apostle John and (3) the future events that will take place in the last days. Therefore say to the Israelites, This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. 4] I will put my ruach within you. [27] In sum, the book describes God's promise that the people of Israel will maintain their covenant with God when they are purified and receive a "new heart" (another of the book's images) which will enable them to observe God's commandments and live in the land in a proper relationship with Yahweh. [29], Ezekiel's imagery provided much of the basis for the Second Temple mystical tradition in which the visionary ascended through the Seven Heavens in order to experience the presence of God and understand His actions and intentions. Josiah was killed in 609 and Judah became a vassal of the new regional power, the Neo-Babylonian empire. A long passage with much detail, Ezekiel describes his first word from the Lord. They are actual practices by a Chosen People whom God had set apart and given a role in sharing holiness with the neighboring nations, so they could come to know and worship the one true God as well. Vision of the glory of the Lord. [1] The book's literary influence can be seen in the later apocalyptic writings of Daniel and Zechariah. C. S. Lewis and Mrs. Moore: Relationship of Sin or Sanctification? [1] According to the book itself, it records six visions of the prophet Ezekiel, exiled in Babylon, during the 22 years from 593 to 571BCE, although it is the product of a long and complex history and does not necessarily preserve the very words of the prophet.[2]. Ezekiel sees visions of Jehovah's celestial chariot and he sees visions of apostasy at the temple in Jerusalem and he also has a vision of a glorious temple vision. The Babylonian context. Like Isaiahs vision of glory (Isa. The book of Ezekiel opens up with a vision that is quite startling in itself. God made these people His and they are turning from Him. Another important lesson, God really, really, REALLY loves His kids. A frieze depicting the Prophets Amon, Nahum, Ezekiel, and Daniel. (New York: Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, 1951), 105, James D. Newsome and Jr, The Hebrew Prophets (Atlanta, GA: Westminster John Knox Press, 1986), 126, Robert B. Chisholm and Jr, Handbook On the Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Minor Prophets (Grand Rapids, Mich. : Baker Academic, 2002), 270, Andrew W. Blackwood Jr. and Ezekiel-Prophecy of Hope (Grand Rapids, Mich. : Baker Book House,1965), 224-225, John B. Taylor, Ezekiel (tyndale Old Testament Commentaries), 1ST ed. 1:6) and four wings ( Ezek. PhDessay is an educational resource where over 1,000,000 free essays are This is in marked contrast to the Deuteronomistic writers, who held that the sins of the nation would be held against all, without regard for an individual's personal guilt. He showed himself to prophets like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. The Spaceships of Ezekiel (1974) is a book by Josef F. Blumrich (March 17, 1913 - February 10, 2002) about a spaceship that was supposedly observed by the prophet Ezekiel, written while the author was chief of NASA's systems layout branch of the program development office at the Marshall Space Flight Center. This sovereign God resolved that he would be known and acknowledged. As well, Russia, Iran, and Syria share a joint intelligence command center in Iraq to carry out their united war against ISIS. Ezekiel was a prophet to the exiles who were living in captivity in Babylo. He is believed to have prophesied from about 592 to 570 B.C., almost a quarter-century, between and overlapping . In this vision Ezekiel saw four brilliant, powerful angels in action . There are six visions recorded in Ezekiel: 1.Vision of the Cherubim (1:4-28) 2.Vision of the Scroll (2:93:3) 3.Vision of the Plain (3:22-23) Judgment concerning the idolatrous Israelites (Ezekiel 6, 3-7), published 1886 Judgment of the Lord concerning the idolatrous Israelites (Ezekiel 6, 3-7). you to an academic expert within 3 minutes. But the heavens open to welcome Ezekiel, the son of man (Ezek. The Prophet Jeremiah: Hope, Peace, and Restoration, Elisha: the Hebrew Prophet of Love and Compassion, Malachi: The Most Mysterious of the Hebrew Prophets. 2:1), the Spirit enters him, he eats a book, and then hes sent out to speak the words of Yahweh and stand as a watchman over the house of Israel (Ezek. (Boston Public Library). 3348 promise that God will be known through the restoration and spiritual renewal of Israel. 1:19), but the wheels are on the earth (Ezek. By comparing the sound of the wings to the sound of Shaddai, Ezekiel makes use of a divine appellation that is generally associated with the ancestral age (e.g., Genesis 17:1; Exodus 6:3; and passim in the archaizing book of Job). His words are so power that one of the Judean idolaters, a man named Pelatiah, falls down dead (11:13)[3] Ezekiel must not have been too pleased with that event, but he knew he needed to listen to the voice of the Lord speaking unto him. com/niv/study-bible/ezekiel/ accessed March 8th, 2013. Ezekiel Sees the Glory & Receives the Call Chapter 4 -24 Judgments Against Judah Chapter 25-32 Judgments Against the Gloating Nations Chapter 33-39 Restoration of Israel to the LORD Chapter 40-48 Visions of the Temple Note that the breakpoint at Ezekiel 25 marks the end of Ezekiel's prophecies of doom and gloom for Judah. Ezekiel, was a great man of God and very faithful to Him. If He does choose, it is based on goodness, The description of the Book of Revelation as the strangest book of the New Testament could be the reason for the general neglect that is afforded it today. Bringing the Saints into the Lord's Up-to-date Vision and Move in His Recovery (CWWL, 1984, vol. As many people assume that the Holy Spirit is not active in the Old Testament, the Lord proves every one of those people wrong. The visions, and the book, are structured around three themes: (1) Judgment on Israel (chapters 1-24); (2) Judgment on the nations (chapters 25-32); and (3) Future blessings for Israel (chapters 33-48). Furthermore, as Gods spokesman, Ezekiels son of man status (see note on 2:1) testifies to the sovereign God he was commissioned to serve. According to Jewish tradition, the Men of the Great Assembly wrote the Book of Ezekiel, based on the prophet's words. Since September 30, 2015, Russia has stationed more than 50 aircraft and helicopters across Israels northern border in Syria, including the Sukhoi Su-34 and Su-24M bombers, Su-25 attack aircraft, Su-30SM fighters and Mil Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters as well as Caspian Flotilla ships, according to the Russian News Agency. God consistently refers to Ezekiel as the Son of man, it shows that God trusts him and that He had a specific plan for him to serve Him. The bones symbolize the whole house of Israel, which had given up any hope of being revived as a nation. The Jewish People are certainly coming back to the Land of Israel and settling there as God promised through many prophets, including Ezekiel. The prophet Jeremiah, who remained in Jerusalem during that time, tried to warn the Jewish People to repent of their idol worship and wickedness or face destruction and captivity. As a "sentinel for the house of Israel" (Ezekiel 3:17), Ezekiel had repeatedly warned of God's pending penalty for Judah's transgressions, including its fondness for idolatry (Ezekiel 5:7-10). The name Shaddai is probably a cognate of the Akkadian ad"mountain" or "steppe," which is itself a cognate of the Hebrewdeh "field/wilderness." Ezekiel was one of the prophet who were taken into exile along with King Jehoiachin. Such neglect did not characterize the earliest history of the book., Bibliography: Brown, M. L. (2010). He willed it to happen out of obedience to the Lord and what He told him to prophesy over and to these dry bones. Above these is a firmament, like the expanse of the sky, and above the sky is Yahwehs throne. 3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi . Danielhad already been taken captive into Babylon in about 605 BC during Nebuchadnezzars preliminary siege. In a couple passages above, the writer talks about the word ruach being used. Ezekiel sees a whirlwind fire storm (Ezekiel 1:4). Ezekiel did not have just one vision but several and the explanation of each requires an scholars understanding. Then they shall know that I am the Lord. (38:2223), Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Russia as it beefed up its military presence in Syria. This is a reminder that God does pursue those whom He loves, but He also wants His people to come to Him out of freedom. But Yahwehs glory also appears as a four-cornered sanctuary, as the four-faced nation of Israel, as a four-man royal entourage. . He states that God Himself will put hooks into the jaws of a leader named Gog of a land called Magog (to the far north of Israel), persuading him to invade the Promised Land. 7:24. Ps. Yahwehs original glory includes four four-faced cherubim, each face turned in a unique direction. The hand of the LORD was upon me there: For the third time ( Ezekiel 1:3, 3:14) Ezekiel experienced this. How to Handle a Difficult Small-Group Member, 5 Surprising Books to Help Navigate the Gender Debates, Wednesday Addams and the Return of Black-and-White Morality. After the vision, the Lord speaks directly to Ezekiel and gives him instruction. But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul., are myriads upon myriads, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them as in Sinai in holiness., I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. 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,. We know this is true because the number of Jewish People who believe that Yeshua is their Messiah have grown from an estimated 6,000 worshipping in 80 congregations in 1998 to about 25,000 today in 150 congregations of various sizes. Why will you die, people of Israel? The book of Daniel recounts timeless stories of heroes exhibiting unshakable faith and . 1:22), and above the expanse, Ezekiel sees a lapis lazuli throne, occupied by a figure like a man made of fire and metal (Ezek. Important Vision #3 Ezekiel 37:1-14. Illustration. He appears to have spent the rest of his life in Mesopotamia. The messages he received from God were intense and different than other prophets of Israel. , , Download. The rabbis see traveling into the supernatural realm on a spiritual chariot to communicate directly with God so risky that the Talmud restricts study of these texts to only the most worthy sages. [24], Ezekiel depicts the destruction of Jerusalem as a purificatory sacrifice upon the altar, made necessary by the "abominations" in the Temple (the presence of idols and the worship of the god Tammuz) described in chapter 8. Nonetheless, Ezekiel shared many ideas in common with the Deuteronomists, notably the notion that God works according to the principle of retributive justice and an ambivalence towards kingship (although the Deuteronomists reserved their scorn for individual kings rather than for the office itself). He was among 10,000 exiles carried off during a period. 1) Brother Lee's Fellowship with Walter Martin . The Prophet Isaiah Predicts the Return of the Jews from Exile, by Maarten van Heemskerck. Num 4:30) and in the 5th year of Jehoiachin's reign or about 593 BC.1 Ezekiel records the dates of when he received his visions throughout the book as shown in the first column in the table below. Most scholars today accept the basic authenticity of the book, but see in it significant additions by a school of later followers of the original prophet. And the spirit entered into me when He spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard Him that speak unto me. In 36:31 Ezekiel shows the turned exiles in bitter repentance as they think upon the past. This essay was written by a fellow student. [1], Ezekiel is referenced more in the Book of Revelation than in any other New Testament writing. Ezekiel had his vision in Babylon as one of the captive exiles ( Ezek 1:1-3 ). What is amiss with the nation is that it is corrupt at this center, that as repudiated the God who made it a people and has replaced him by the gods of the surrounding countries. "The vision of dry bones," explains how God's people would miraculously come together and be re-gathered to their homeland from among the nations of the world where . The book is first of the major prophets, so called due to its greater length than the shorter minor prophets or twelve prophets. Please click below to LIKE our Bibles For Israel Facebook page, so that others can know about our Free Bible, and receive Breaking News, Bible Teachings and Feature Articles from the Holy Land. As a priest, Ezekiel praises the Zadokites over the Levites (lower level temple functionaries), whom he largely blames for the destruction and exile. Ezek. Overall, chs. Livable, A Tale of Trees: How Arboreal Theology Pervades the Bible. [30] There was apparently some question concerning the inclusion of Ezekiel in the canon of scripture, since it is frequently at odds with the Torah (the five "Books of Moses" which are foundational to Judaism). Each creature is accompanied by a wheel. vv. Are the Jewish People Still the Chosen People. Throughout the book of Ezekiel, one sees the closeness that he has with the Lord. The information contained in this report was obtained from various websites, such as http://www.biblegateway.com, www.revelationcommentary.org and www.keyway.ca, God used people to speak his words for him. When Ezekiel sees the vision, he falls like a dead man (Ezek. Through supernatural signs and fulfilled prophecies, such as the regathering and restoration of the Jewish People back into their own land, supernatural protection, and victories against outnumbered armies, it seems the nations should realize that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is real. Instead of an ascent, he sees a descent, the original living throne of Yahweh moving from heaven to earth. [2] This issue of idolatry is not just a new problem for Israel. Behold, the glory of the LORD stood there: Once again, Ezekiel had a vision similar to that which he experienced in Ezekiel 1. i. And third, you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done it. Amid the silence, God speaks, I will rain down on [Gog], on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. 1:15). The Lord explains the meaning of he vision in verses 11-14. Do the Palestinians Descend from the Philistines? The main theme running through Isaiah is the message of salvation, even the name of the prophet means salvation of Yahweh. The priests and elders on Sinai peered up through a sapphire pavement to see the God of Israel and Moses got to enter the cloud. The tabernacle was at the center of the camp, with furnishings at each point of the compass: the bronze altar in the courtyard to the east, the ark in the far west, the table of showbread on the north wall of the Holy Place, and the lampstand on the south wall. Hes both commissioned prophet and commissioning glory, both Son of Man and the fiery One who sits on Yahwehs throne in the midst of the living creatures. [7] This particular study of Ezekiel has taught me of Gods heart for His nation. The vision of the Valley of Dry Bones may be the best known prophecy of this Hebrew prophet. God is so serious about making people aware of this that He held Ezekiel personally responsible for making sure the People understood the consequences of iniquity in their own lives. The first major vision can be found in Ezekiel 1:4-28. His most recent book is a commentary on 1 & 2 Chronicles (Brazos Press, 2019). Please make sure all fields are filled out. The Bible is, after all, a book has a prophetic vein running through it promising all of His people that one day He would return to save them from the evils of the earth and give them the gift of eternal life with Him. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. (Matthew 27:51), Yeshuas victory now enables each ofus to approach God. In this vision the Lord is as a teacher and instructs Ezekiel. 23:1822). However, while we are seeing a physical fulfillment at this time, the spiritual restoration seems like it is yet to come since many are coming in unbelief of both God and their Mashiach, Yeshua. The heavens opened, Ezekiel tells us (Ezek. 7, p. 358). Ezekiel purpose were to bring restoration and hope to Gods people., Isaiah 6 is written with a mixture of prose and verse, detailing the calling, or commission, of Isaiah by the Lord God. : What does the word mean this time? number: 206095338, E-mail us: There will be a deluge of rain, and you, O great hailstones, will fall, and a stormy wind break out. (13:1011). 40:3435). 1:4), and the face at the front is the face of a man; that means the man face faces south. But in these verses, that tendency intensifies. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan., The future; a daunting subject that people over generations have fretted about and try to plan against by constructing predictions on what may happen based on what they think they know. 3-28 Ezekiel has the most profound vision of the glory of God. He asked them to do his work. 3.9K views, 177 likes, 38 loves, 20 comments, 75 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Lion and Lamb Ministries: Join Monte as he looks at the visions given to the #prophet #Ezekiel. Four living creatures appear from the whirlwind. 2). His stern judgments on Israel ultimately reflect his grace. 2:1, 3, 8; 3:1, 3, 4, 10; etc.). v. 1 "I saw visions of God" compare Ezekiel to the other captives who said, "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion" ( Psalm 137:1 ). Each cherub has four facesthe face of a bull, a lion, an eagle, and a man ( Ezek. Type your requirements and I'll connect 9. Copyright 2023 The Gospel Coalition, INC. All Rights Reserved. Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. There is a thread of Jewish mysticism based on Ezekiels chariot or Merkabah. Its thought that Ezekiel describes a path of ascent into heavenly places to the throne of God. 78:23; Mal. In Ezekiels day the Lord publicly proved that the promises of peace were false: I will break down the wall that you have smeared with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be laid bare. Ezekiel's commission would last for some 22 years and involve some challenging assignments. In this passage, Ezekiel also finds evidence of the worship of the Babylonian deity Tammus (8:14) and of the sun god (8:16). Further, God has sent His Divine Presence the same Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) that filled Ezekiel and the prophets of the Tanakh (Old Testament) to every Believer in Yeshua HaMashiach. In chapter 8 Ezekiels vision starts out and talks about false values. your own essay or use it as a source, but you need They performed the tasks to maintain relationships with God and the world., I continued my study in pursuit of the doctoral degree in Biblical Studies by reading the text, Encountering the Old Testament. Occasion: Ezekiel is writing from Babylon for the people exiled . The Greek (Septuagint) version[18] of Ezekiel differs slightly from the Hebrew (Masoretic) version[19] it is about 8 verses shorter (out of 1,272)[20] and possibly represents an earlier transmission of the book we have today (according to the masoretic tradition) while other ancient manuscript fragments differ from both. The throne vision Chapter 1 Chapter 4 2. The heavens opened, Ezekiel tells us (Ezek. Ezekiel was a priest and 30 years old at the time of his vision. Ezekiel unashamedly spoke the truth to Israel about their sin, their captivity and how the people could be redeemed from it. [8] This last statement is incredible. Ezekiel appears only briefly in the Dead Sea Scrolls, but his influence there was profound, most notably in the Temple Scroll with its temple plans, and the defence of the Zadokite priesthood in the Damascus Document. In the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible and in all other English Bibles, the book follows on from the Song of Solomon or Song of Songs. 2 On the fifth day of the month, which was in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's captivity, 3 the word of the . 1:5), but with bronze legs and hooved feet (Ezek. Let us help you get a good grade on your paper. Everything that he said came directly from the Lord. He also sees the man with the writers inkhorn who marks the foreheads of the faithful ones. Not only did these actions give signs to Israel, but they also revealed to Ezekiel the heart of the Lord. cookie policy. The book of Ezekiel opens up with a vision that is quite startling in itself. Answer: There are only two Old Testament scriptures that directly reference this strange heavenly vision of a "wheel within a wheel" observed by the prophet Ezekiel. Neither do we require such mystical works written outside the Biblical texts to teach us how to approach the throne of God; and it most certainly can be done alone, even in our prayer closets (Matthew 6:6). His Spirit would infuse the nation, and it would once again life. Get expert help in mere We might conclude that Israel is a cherubic nation, called to stand watch at the house of God, just as cherubim were stationed at the gate of Eden. The cloud comes from the north (Ezek. He later prophesied they would spend 70 years in exile beginning in the year 597 BC (Jeremiah 25:11). In Ezekiel, though, the movement is the opposite. When Babylons King Nebuchadnezzar carried off Israels King Jehoiachim and the leading families of Jerusalem into captivity in 597 BC, Ezekiel the priest was in that group. What can it mean, but Holy Spirit? Christians are no different. Are these. 1. Prior to this time, Judah had been a vassal of the Assyrian empire, but the rapid decline of Assyria after c. 630 led Josiah to assert his independence and institute a religious reform stressing loyalty to Yahweh, the national God of Israel. Together, the creatures and the wheels form Yahwehs mobile palanquin. From the first chapter, which graphically describes the overwhelming invasion of the divine presence into Ezekiels world, to the last phrase of Ezekiels vision (the Lord is there) the book sounds and echoes Gods sovereignty. Here in the valley, God answers that question by clearly displaying His chesed (covenantal love) to His People. The main works of Merkabah mysticism was composed in Israel from AD 200 to 700, and is a precursor to Kabbalah mysticism. He gets an up-close, interior view, and he shares it with us. Ezekiel describes his vision as an elaborate and complex image that symbolizes the majesty of Yahweh and proclaims Yahweh's sovereignty over all the nations of the earth. This portion is as a reestablishment of the law and how to live according to the law. Ezekiel was obedient to the visions and listened to Gods voice and what He instructed him to do, no matter what the consequence was or how strange, terrifying, weird the message may have been for Israel. His appearance was the same as it had been before by the river Chebar (yet another link which this closing vision has with Ezekiels earlier work) and it prompted the same response of awe and adoration. 28:12; Ps. The Book of Ezekiel is the third of the Latter Prophets in the Tanakh and one of the major prophetic books, following Isaiah and Jeremiah. Pallazzo Pitti, Florence. 23 Read Ezekiel 1:26-28. This last section has extreme detail of the temple and how it should be built. Each cherub has four facesthe face of a bull, a lion, an eagle, and a man (Ezek. Ghisi's engraving illustrates Ezekiel's vision of the Apocalypse. This resurrection of life is to happen in stages: Bone align themselves together; tendons attach the bones to each other; flesh covers the bones; and finally, the breath of God (literally, His Ruach or Spirit) brings the bones to life as they stand on their feet and form a mighty army. Through it all, God's powerful acts of justice and promises of undeserved covenant blessing display his heart for us to know and adore. The Vision of Ezekiel by Raphael, 1518. [25] The process of purification begins, God prepares to leave, and a priest lights the sacrificial fire to the city. The Good News and Hope for all mankind that Ezekiel and every prophet of God shared regarding sin, no matter how detestable, is the same: Repent! Throughout the text, therefore, there are nuggets of information dropped as to what to look for to determine when that will happen so people can prepare accordingly. I will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates, to seize spoil and carry off plunder [among] the people who were gathered from the nations., Bibles for Israel and the Messianic Bible Project, egathering and restoration of the Jewish People. Ezekiel - Outline Author: Ezekiel the priest, son of Buzi (1:3). [31] To take just two well-known passages, the famous Gog and Magog prophecy in Revelation 20:8 refers back to Ezekiel 3839,[32] and in Revelation 2122, as in the closing visions of Ezekiel, the prophet is transported to a high mountain where a heavenly messenger measures the symmetrical new Jerusalem, complete with high walls and twelve gates, the dwelling-place of God where His people will enjoy a state of perfect well-being. A Jewish bride and groom marry under the chuppah. When he heard from the Lord that he was going to be going to a rebellious nation, the Lord instructed him to speak that the nation was going to fall if they did not change their ways. As much as I knew this before, I think it is far too easy to assume that because you may not visually see God doing and working things out in your life, that He does not care or exist. Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/the-visions-of-ezekiel-178217/, Hire skilled expert and get original paper in 3+ hours, Run a free check or have your essay done for you, We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. 1:1). A prophet is someone with access to Yahwehs judgment hall and his divine council (Jer. God inspires the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel to reveal to the Israelites why they will become captives to Babylon, His anger against false prophets, and the restoration of Israel., Testament (1000-1200 words). And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet and I will speak unto thee. can use them for free to gain inspiration and new creative ideas for their writing Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD. (Ezekiel 37:1214). Ezekiel encountered God through extraordinary visions full of metaphor and symbology that have produced much speculation over the millennia, yet God also conveyed His message to the People of Israel through Ezekiel very clearly: "Repent! In the Old Testament, the heavens typically open so Yahweh can rain his blessings on Israel (Deut. He takes Ezekiel by the hand and carefully explains what He says to Israel, and He reveals His very personal feelings and plans with Ezekiel. Daniel 1:17. . But the heavens open to welcome Ezekiel, the son of man (Ezek. The veil that once separated the people from Gods Divine Presence in the Holy of Holies was torn down when Yeshua (Jesus) conquered sin and death. 1:6 ). The Visions of Ezekiel. And centuries later, the heavens split open again as another prophet, another Son of Man, is commissioned at the age of 30 to see visions of God (Luke 3:21-24; cf. It doesnt take Ezekiel up to heaven; it brings heaven to earth. This is the heart of the vision. cite it. In the Old Testament, God chose very specific people to give His message to Israel. Notably, Ezekiel blames the Babylonian exile not on the people's failure to keep the Law, but on their worship of gods other than Yahweh and their injustice: these, says Ezekiel in chapters 811, are the reasons God's Shekhinah left his city and his people. 3:10). I was by the Kebar River among the people who had been Ezekiel 43:12. Life and Building in the Book of Ezekiel (CWWL, 1961-1962, vol. In the Old Testament, God chose very specific people to give His message to Israel. 1:2), the temple is still standing in Jerusalem (cf. Likewise, in the last days described in chapters 3839, Ezekiel foresees that all false walls of protection and rumors of peace (spoken or unspoken) will ultimately crash down as well, and the world will know that the Lord has done it. They have a human form (Ezek. He is specifically mentioned by Ben Sirah (a writer of the Hellenistic period who listed the "great sages" of Israel) and 4 Maccabees (1st century CE). Ezekiel describes these creatures (Ezekiel 1:5-14). 28:12; Ps. He was exiled to Babylon in 597 BC, and his ministry began five years later when he was 30 years old. A voice from the throne revives him (Ezek. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds. Because of this traditional connection between Ezekiels vision of the chariot in chapter 1 and the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai (which is celebrated on Shavuot/ Pentecost) Ezekiel 1:128 is read as the Haftarah (Prophetic) portion on this holy holiday. Visions could vary in kind, differing in such things as length, intensity, number of symbols, and whether the vision was perceived in the spirit, as in a dream, or by the conscious physical senses. He can respond to his peoples sin by leaving his sanctuary in Israel, and he can graciously condescend to visit his exiled children in Babylon. Episode 6 | Visions of Ezekiel Lion and Lamb Ministries 63.1K subscribers Subscribe 489 10K views 1 month ago Join Monte as he looks at the visions given to the #prophet #Ezekiel. Even from a distance, he sees something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire (Ezek. Let them consider the plan, and if they are ashamed of all they have done, make known to them the design of the temple-its arrangement, its exit and entrances--its whole design and all its regulations and laws. It seems that Israel stands alone as the invading soldiers cover the land like a cloud. This word is parallel to the Greek word in the New Testament, Pneuma, which is typically used for describing the Holy Spirit. The chariot isnt in the first instance a means of mystical ascent; its medium for divine descent. He is not limited to the temple in Jerusalem. He is clearly connected with the Holiness Code and its vision of a future dependent on keeping the Laws of God and maintaining ritual purity. (Downers Grove, Ill,; Intervarsity Pr, 1969), 264, Leon J. In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south. Throughout his description of this vision, Ezekiel often uses such expressions as "appearance," "appeared to be," "resembled," and "something like.". This is a reminder to the Israelites. Gods total sovereignty is also evident in his mobility. The prophet gift was in his dreams and then he reveal them as it were given to him. The physical restoration will take place. Its with the exiles in Babylon, who gather by the river Chebar. God is free to judge, and he is equally free to be gracious. That end-time structure is yet to be built, but with the number of end-time prophecies concerning a resurrected Israel currently in the process of being fulfilled, we can be certain that this time is close at hand. In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Ezekiel is acknowledged as a Hebrew prophet.In Judaism and Christianity, he is also . Ezekiel was a prophet who ministered to the nation Israel during the Babylonian captivity (606-536 B.C.). I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever. Peter J. Leithart is president of the Theopolis Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. THE VISION: EZEKIEL: REVELATION: 1. However in the Hebrew Bible, it is seen after 2 Kings, which A.S. Herbert states is a more natural order since this prophet [Isaiah] was deeply involved in the historical events of his day and gave a distinctive interpretation of these events (1973:1). The Interpreter's Bible: The Holy Scriptures in the King James and Revised Standard Versions with General Articles and Introduction, Exegesis, Exposition for Each Book of the Bible. Second, I will place you in your own land. Ezekiels directional indications may seem extraneous, but they hint at connections with other four-corner arrangements in the Bible. God choses whomever He wants to give His messages to His people. Ezekiel's Wheel was a magnificent vision that God showed him. Behold, this is the law of the house. by Gerard Van der Leun. Write these down before them so that they may be faithful to its design and follow all its regulations. [24] The vision in chapters 1:428 reflects common mythological/Biblical themes and the imagery of the Temple: God appears in a cloud from the north the north being the usual home of God/the gods in ancient mythology and Biblical literature with four living creatures corresponding to the two cherubim above the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant and the two in the Holy of Holies, the innermost chamber of the Temple; the burning coals of fire between the creatures perhaps represents the fire on the sacrificial altar, and the famous "wheel within a wheel" may represent the rings by which the Levites carried the Ark, or the wheels of the cart. A long passage with much detail, Ezekiel describes his first word from the Lord. Prophet (Luke 4:24; 7:16; 24:19), but hes more than a prophet. This supernatural encounter with the heavenly realm began a new school of thought called merkabah (chariot mysticism). Not only does the Holy Spirit speak to him, but He actually transports him to different spots. ", "The Gog and Magog Tradition in Ezekiel 20:8", International Organization for the Study of the Old Testament, English Translation of the Greek Septuagint Bible: Ezekiel, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Book_of_Ezekiel&oldid=1132590694. initiative, where were encouraging Christians and churches to read together through Gods Word in a year. We don't know why John was exiled to Patmos, but it may have been for refusing to worship the Roman emperor Domitian, who had declared himself a god. When he did that, the flesh reappear on these bodies. 3:10). 1:10 ). Our staff at Bibles For Israel are especially privileged to see firsthand how the truth of prophetic Scriptures witness to the spirits of the Jewish People that Yeshua is their Savior and Lord, as well as Messiah. The book of Ezekiel bursts with vivid descriptions of heavenly visions, strong judgments, and incomprehensible divine love. 2532 teach that the nations likewise will know God through his judgments; and chs. The idea of building the temple will draw them to repentance and reveal their sin to them regardless. 4) The Life and Way for the Practice of the Church Life That means the eagle face must be facing back to the north, toward the Lords throne at the pole of the sphere of heaven (cf. The Lord had descended on Sinai in a storm cloud (Ex. How interesting it must have been to be a friend of Ezekiel during that time; God speaking so clearly and so specifically about Israel, His plans for the sinners, the righteous, the enemies, anyone, and how to return to the Lord God of Israel. Ezekiel wasnt the first man to see Yahwehs glory cloud. Ezekiel 1 was chosen as the haftarah for the first day of Shavuot, [1] as it picks up on the theme of divine revelation, which is what the festival celebrates. Before the physical restoration can take place, there must be a renewal of faith. Some of these consist of Ezekiel eating the scroll that God gave him to eat (3:1-3), sleeping on his side symbolizing the sin of the ouse of Israel (4:4) , shaving, burning and scattering his hair (5:1-17) packing his belongings and leaving for exile as a sign to the prince of Jerusalem (12:1-16). There have been many books written and published to survey, explain, and/or bring to light the Old Testament, but none more helpful to me than the review subject of this paper, the work of Dr. Elmer L. Towns, entitled A Journey Through the Old Testament., God choses whomever He wants to give His messages to His people. The Last Major Vision of Ezekiel: 40-48. Ezekiel goes through many different types of idolatry and images that the Israelites use to take the place of Father God. Notice the sequence of promised event. For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. [2] This chapter is part of a larger complex consisting of Ezekiel 1:1-3:15 which belongs to the genre of the prophetic call narrative, [3] and it details how YHWH arrives in his chariot to speak with Ezekiel. Comparing his vision to Babylonian iconography reveals that Ezekiel saw a divine "throne chariot" of the heavenswidely described in the ancient biblical world. I will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates, to seize spoil and carry off plunder [among] the people who were gathered from the nations. (38:1112). The Dry Bones. 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