EZEKIEL [2 5 JULY DAY 184 - 187]
INTRODUCTION
The ten tribes were taken and scattered by the Assyrians. Judah and Ephraim remained ignorant of the warning of prophets like Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah and Habakkuk. They were then taken into captivity by Babylonians. Among those taken into captive was Ezekiel during the reign of Jehoiachin (II Kings 23:36- 24:10) Ezekiel means Gods strengthened, written about 571 B.C.
Chapters 1-3 Revelation of Gods Glory.
Ezekiel saw the vision of four living creatures, each with fours faces and four wheels. "All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the LORD looked like. When I saw it, I fell face down on the ground, and I heard some's voice speaking to me." (Ezekiel1:28) God showed him events that would happen in the future so as to warn the people.
Chapters 4-24. Retribution for Jerusalem.
Judgment came against Judah because its people did not obey God's law. Ezekiel acted symbolically like making a model of Jerusalem and besieging it, lying on his left and then right, taking mingle diet, shaving his hairs depicting of Jerusalem destruction with starvation, scattering and death by the sword. He used parables of the wild vine, deserted baby girl who turned prostitute, the two sisters, trapped lion and the two eagles all depicting of Israel rebellion and captivity. Yet the people would not repent as God had warned them earlier. God show idolatry, immorality and ingratitude that cause His glory to leave His temple.
Chapters 25-32 Revenge on the Neighbors of Judah.
God would also punish other evil nations which Israel had made alliance with and who wished her destruction. Particularly the downfall of Egypt and Tyre.
Chapter 33-39 Returns of the Exile.
The hope mentioned in Chapter 11 is resurfaced. First for Israel then for the nations and finally for all of creations. God will search for them as a good Shepherd. He would send one from David's family to be their leader speaking prophetically of Christ. God will give a new heart. God gives him the vision of the dry bones, metaphorical of Israel breaking the covenant and bringing Ephraim and Judah together as symbolized by the joining of the two sticks. Ultimately, God will defeat all the evil represented by Gog (38-39).
Chapters 40-48 Restoration of the temple.
God showed Ezekiel a picture of a new temple in the future. He would return to this temple. A tiny stream flowing from the temple and to the desert bringing forth life. The garden city named, "The Lord is There".