In this last session on Ezekiel, we consider the final elements in the vision of the New Temple and the Land. We also consider 5 main themes that Ezekiel builds in the larger framework of The Biblical Story.

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In this session we begin the Vision of the New Temple that Ezekiel receives in the last eight chapters of the book. The Lord desires to vindicate His Holy Name through the Nation of Israel so that all other nations will come to know that He alone is LORD. In the Latter Days He will do this very thing. During the Reign of Christ on Earth Israel will finally become what the LORD had always intended.

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In this session, we deal with some sideline issues relating to the reality of the Great Tribulation, The Earthly Reign of Christ, and the End Times.

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In this session we go through the enigmatic section that addresses Gog of the land of Magog, the leader of a massive coalition drawn out to attack Israel. The LORD God has taken an oath to never let His holy name be profaned again by allowing His people to be taken in exile. In this final “battle” against the LAST of Israel’s enemies, the LORD finally displays His power and holiness to all the nations.

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In this session, we cover the Lord’s plans to cleanse, renew and give new spiritual life to Israel. In one of the most “famous” parts of the book, chapter 37, Ezekiel is given the vision of the valley of bones in which the Lord foreshows his future restoration of the people. In the latter days, the Lord will unite both the Northern and the Southern divisions of Israel - One people, with One King, in One Land.

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In this session we consider the turning point of the book as the LORD promises to act for the sake of His holy name to restore and redeem Israel. In this restoration, even the Land itself will be renewed. In this section we hear how the Lord’s salvation is holistic - He intends to redeem the spiritual as well as the physical.

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In this turning point of Ezekiel, the Lord reaffirms Ezekiel as the “watchman” for Israel. He tells Ezekiel that although the people have enjoyed his “prophetic show” they will not do what he has instructed. As the Lord turns to a message of Hope for Israel, He first deals with false shepherds who have fed on the flock. In the days to come, the Lord Himself will be the shepherd of Israel, overseeing them through David.

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In this session, we consider the long judgment rendered against Egypt. Unlike the other 6 gentile nations that had treated Israel with contempt during the Babylonian onslaught, Egypt had sought to be an ally - but for the wrong reasons and motives. In this longest of the judgment speeches against the nations, the Lord condemns Egypt and Pharaoh for pride and for being unable to deliver on the false promises made to Israel.

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In this session we focus on the city of Tyre and its proud Prince-King. The Lord judges this King and city harshly because in standing opposed to Nebuchadnezzar, they are unwittingly standing opposed to the Lord God and his purposes. Behind this pride and hubris is the Satanic inspiration of the Devil Himself.

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In this session, we begin the judgment speeches against the neighbor nations of Israel. In the first part of this section, the Lord addresses the 6 nations that treated Israel with contempt during the Babylonian turmoil and judgment.

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In this session, we finish out the oracles against Jerusalem. After years of pleading with Israel to turn, the Lord finally allows the hammer to fall - Nebuchadnezzar begins the siege of Jerusalem. All of the oracles up to this point begin to be fulfilled.

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In this session, we move closer to the end of the judgment oracles against Jerusalem. Ezekiel continues with a string of stories and parables which highlight both Israel’s rebellion and idolatry and the Lord’s desire for them to turn to Him.

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In this session we take a look at Lord’s retelling of the story of Israel. In the same ways that He has redeemed them in the past He will do so in the future. In this section begins a major theme that runs throughout the rest of the book: When the LORD acts, He acts for the sake of His Holy name and this results in the salvation of His people.

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In this session we consider the question of the Lord’s justice: Is He making the children pay for the sins of their parents? Does the Lord simply lump everyone together in judgment? The Lord’s answer is NO! Each will be held accountable for their own wickedness or righteousness.

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In this powerful section of the book, Ezekiel again confronts Israel’s idolatry and spiritual adultery. In one of the most powerful chapters of the book - 16, the Lord compares Israel to an adulterous wife who has forgotten the love and care of her husband; she has turned to play the prostitute with whoever she can find, paying them to unite with her. Although Israel has forgotten the Lord’s goodness to her, the LORD will not forget His promises to her; He will redeem her and restore her when He makes atonement for all her sins.

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This week we look at the chapters 12 and 13 and the larger structure of chapters 12 through 17. Contrary to the word of the false prophets, the destruction of Jerusalem and the final deportation is coming. Even Zedekiah’s rebellious alliance with Egypt will not thwart the Word of the Lord and plans He has set in motion.

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In the chapters 9-11 we have the vision of the Glory of the LORD of Israel departing from the Temple and Jerusalem. In their false pride, the idolatrous people who were still in the land assumed that the LORD would never let the pagans desecrate His city or His Temple because His presence dwelt there. In a terrifying pre-vision of what would soon take place, Ezekiel sees the glory of the LORD retreat from the Temple to the Mount of Olives: Judgment is coming; it cannot be avoided.

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In this session we finish chapter 7 and the warning of the impending doom and begin chapter 8 which begins the narration of the Lord’s glory departing from the Temple.

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In Ezekiel 6 and 7 the Lord speaks judgment against the mountains of the land because they have been the places of great idolatry. In this judgment, the Lord takes full responsibility for the “calamity/evil” that is about to fall upon the people and the land. But therein lies the greatest hope: If the Lord takes responsibility for all that He allows, then He can also redeem it. In chapter 7 three alarms are sounded heralding the reality THE end has come and nothing can be done to stop it.

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We begin exploring the signs and message given to Ezekiel to proclaim to the exiles in Babylon. The new is not good: the siege of Jerusalem will come and only a remnant will be spared.

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Ezekiel is set apart by the LORD to speak His word to the rebellious house of Israel. As Ezekiel is set to the exiles, he is not to rebel as they, but to speak and do exactly as the LORD instructs. In these chapters we see the awesome reality that the LORD calls his prophet to faithfulness, not success.

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In chapter 1 the heavens are opened and the incomprehensible LORD appears to Ezekiel. In one of the most startling and nearly incomprehensible passages of the Old Testament we get a graphic description of the appearance of the LORD God arriving on “chariot” to commission Ezekiel to service.

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We begin our study of Ezekiel by situating the prophet in his historical circumstances. After five years in Babylonian exile, the LORD appears to Ezekiel in the very year he should have begun his priestly service to commission Ezekiel to a new type of service: Prophet. Understanding the context of the early days of the Babylonian invasion and exile is crucial to understanding the role this book plays in establishing hope for Israel in the LORD’s larger plans.

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