A. Who is Ezekiel?
1. Name means "God Strengthens" - a theme you will see in the
book
2. Priest and a Prophet carried into Babylon during the second
captivity
(605 - 1st; 597 - 2nd; 586- 3rd)
3. He was about 25 years old and married
4. His commission came about 5
years later... if 1:1 refers to his age
B. He knew about Daniel and mentions him 3 times (14:14, 20
& 28:3)
C. Ezekiel's purpose was to remind Israel why they were
punished, the coming destruction of the Gentile nations and the future national
restoration. This was a tough mission and God even tells him that the people
are going to reject his message. (verse 7)
D. Something to watch as you
read Ezekiel is the "Glory of God" (24 x's) as it departs and then returns.
E. Key verses 36:24-26 & 33-35
F. Four sections: 1-3 is Ezekiel's
call; 4-24 is Judah's judgment; 25-32 is Gentile Judgment; 33-48 is Israel's
restoration.
A. The importance of the call:
1. Jesus said to His disciples, "You have not chosen Me, but I
have chosen y u and ordained you that you should be My disciples."
2. Paul
wrote, "Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God."
3. The ministry (whether it is Bible studies, SS, devotions with your
family... is not an easy task, their will be many
discouragement's.)
B. To devour the Words of God
1. The Scroll (2:10)
a. Written on both sides like a deed
b. Contents:
Lamentations & mourning & woe -- i.e. it is the possession of
Israel/judgment of God
c. It is the Word and will of God
2. The responsibility
a. to eat the scroll (3:1)
b. he is devour the words of
God even those of judgment
c. it is to be more than head knowledge but
devoured completely (vrs. 2)
d. it is sweet to the taste: i.e. doing the
will of God was pleasant to Ezekiel
3. Application
Jer 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and
thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by
thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
1 Tim. 4:15 Receive it all in thy heart; meditate on
these things and give thyself wholly to them,
Col. 3: 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you
richly
** "In the beginning, God..." He is the primary source and the
beginning of life
C. To speak the Words of God
1. Go speak to the captives of Israel
a. The central city of the captivity for Israel was Tel Abib
on a large cannel called the River Chebar
b. This is the primary
interpersonal responsibility of a believers
2. God sets up his first speaking engagement and he just sits
there... he can't speak
a. maybe he was just nervous or afraid
b. probably he
was too stunned
c. "I sat where they sat" (vrs. 15)... it is so important
to know where people are and what they experience
** husbands, wives... single moms, poor, etc.
3. God after 7 days gives Ezekiel a clear explanation of his
responsibility and ours (18-19)
** God put us here in Yuba City as a part of His ultimate
purposes for our neighbors
** Jesus has given His Great Commission
** But even the 12 disciples could not go out and minister
without the fill of the Holy Spirit
4. One of the signs of Ezekiel's ministry was that he could
not speak unless God gave him permission to speak (26-27)
D. Obedience in the face of difficulty
1. speak to a people with a false theology (idolatry: Asherah,
Baal, Molech: see chapter 8: 14 e.g. Tammuz)
2. a people with a false hope:
returning to Israel soon
3. a people with hardened hearts
(7-9)
A. a clear vision of the Glory of God
1. God first, revealed Himself to Ezekiel (1:1)
2. vision
of the Heavens
B. a clear understanding of God's power
1. the majesty is obvious
2. note also the repeating theme
of needing God's strength (3:12, 14, 22, 24)
C. a clear filling of the Spirit of God
1. 2:2
2. the result was "being set up on his feet" i.e.
he was given place
3. then Ezekiel heard the voice of God
Eph. 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but
be filled with the Spirit"