Ralph Porter
© 2003
AUTHOR AND DATE
Internal testimony and tradition credit the book to Ezekiel, son of Buzi, who ministered in the
6th century B.C.
He combined the office of priest and prophet and therefore paid special attention
to the
details concerning the temple and the priestly character of Messiah.
A summary statement of the life of Ezekiel may be found in the meaning of His
name:
"strengthened by God."
His call to minister among the exiles in Babylon was received in 593 B.C.
His last dated prophecy was given 22 years later in 571 B.C.
BACKGROUND
Ezekiel was taken captive in the 2nd deportation to Babylonia in 598 B.C. with
Jehoiachin.
He wrote the first 32 chapters as a pre-exilic book, before the fall of Jerusalem in
586 B.C.
The people developed a hard attitude toward the message of the prophets.
They were warned of a coming judgment until they lost their fear of it.
Now the judgment was to come at last.
Preliminary judgment has come as a sign of what will yet come.
The emphasis of this prophecy is from the perspective of the captivity.
He uses the pre-exilic focus as part of his attempt to comfort them by
explaining again
why they are in the captivity.
He then proclaimed a message of future restoration under the leadership of
their Messiah.
PURPOSE AND THEME
God is about to glorify His name which Israel has ignored and cheapened.
He tells them how He is going to teach them Who He is.
Repeated theme: "And you shall know that I am the Lord!"
The book foretells the means by which this will be accomplished.
God will defeat His people, destroy His city, and send them into captivity.
Following this judgment, He will restore them again.
They will learn Who He is because of all that He is going to do in their presence,
both in
judging them, as well as in restoring them.
Prior to the destruction of the city, the purpose is to call the people to repentance.
Following that judgment, the purpose is to encourage the people.
Both aspects reveal God's holiness, His love, and His mercy.
Both aspects reveal the totality of Who God is.
The entire program revealed demonstrates God's sovereign control over His
people and over
the nations of the world.
"You shall know that I am the Lord!" Ralph Porter
|
PROPHECIES BEFORE THE FALL OF JERUSALEM 1-32 |
|
PROPHECIES AFTER THE FALL OF JERUSALEM 33-48 | |||
|
Concerning the Prophet 1-3 |
Against Jerusalem 4-24 |
Against the Nations 25-32 |
|
Concerning Restoration 33-39 |
Concerning Millennium 40-48 |
|
Historical Context 1:1-3
Yahweh 1:4-28
2-3 |
Four Signs of Coming Judgment 4-5:4
Explanatory Messages 5:5-7:27
concerning Abominations in the City and Temple 8-11
Announced through Signs and Messages 12-19
concerning Coming Judgment of Jerusalem 20-24
|
Against Surrounding Nations that Despise Israel 25-28 Ammon 25:1-7 Moab 25:8-11 Edom 25:12-14 Philistia 25:15-17 Tyre 26-28:19 Sidon 28:20-23 Resulting PEACE 28:24-26
Egypt in whom Israel Trusts 29-32 Downfall of nation 29 Description of judgment 30 Comparison with Assyria 31 Lament over Egypt 32
|
A L L
O F
E R U S A L E M
3 3 : 2 1 |
Appointment of the Watchman 33
in Israel 34
concerning Edom 35
concerning Israel 36-37 Judgment of nations 36:1-7 Prosperity of land 36:8-15 Sin of people 36:16-21 Cleansing of nation 36:22-38 Restoration of nation 37
concerning Gog and Magog 38-39
|
Vision of the Restored Temple 40-42
Glory to the Temple 43:1-12
for Worship in Restored Temple 43:13-46:24
concerning the Land 47-48 |
Ralph Porter
George Barna and others have done considerable research which demonstrates that there is
little difference between the lifestyle of our pagan culture and that of those who claim
to be Christians today.
Why has our lifestyle become so conformed to that of the world around us?
One of the primary motives of this similarity is that we have bought into a false concept of
Who God is.
When our concept of God weakens, our lifestyle weakens along with it!
The same problem was true in Israel in Ezekiel's day!
Even though they had a visible manifestation of God present with them to remind them
of His glory for nearly a thousand years, they had begun to take Him for granted.
They were so used to having God around that they didn't give Him His rightful
importance.
God sent Ezekiel to warn them of the danger of this attitude.
After the judgment came, he was there to remind them again of God's love and promises.
When they see what God has done, the whole world will realize Who God is!
Ezekiel should serve to remind US of just how great our God is, and how important it is that
we trust Him and obey Him daily.
AUTHOR AND DATE
Internal testimony and tradition credit the book to Ezekiel, son of Buzi, who
ministered in the
6th century B.C.
Nothing more is known concerning Buzi.
Ezekiel was one of the few prophets who combined the office of priest and
prophet.
Therefore, he paid special attention to the details concerning the temple and the
priestly
character of Messiah.
The first event of Ezekiel's life recorded in Scripture is the captivity of 598 B.C.
The first captivity and deportation had occurred in 586 B.C.
It was in this second deportation that Ezekiel, together with Jehoiachin, king
of Judah, and
other priests and leaders from among the people, was taken to Babylon.
This event was so important to him that he dates the other events of his life
from it.
The Babylonians placed him in Tel Aviv, a concentration camp southeast of
Babylon,
designed to hold those who had been removed from Jerusalem.
This deportation occurred eleven years before the destruction of Jerusalem.
When Ezekiel arrived in Babylon, Daniel had already been there nine years and
was already
famous throughout the land (14:14, 20).
Conditions in Tel Aviv were pleasant for the Israelites.
They were permitted to own their own homes (3:24).
They were engaged in business, even to the point of controlling a large
portion of the
economy.
Their leaders were able to meet together (8:1; 14:1; 20:1).
The conditions were so good that many did not wish to return when the
captivity was
over.
In the fifth year of his captivity, 593 B.C., Ezekiel say a vision of the glory of the
Lord.
It was at this time that God called him for a special ministry to the exiles
in Babylon.
He was then thirty years old.
He was called to announce judgment on Jerusalem during the period preceding
the fall of
Jerusalem, and to correct the false hope of the exiles that God would not allow Jerusalem
to fall, and that they would return soon.
God hardened him so that he could stand in the midst of rejection and
opposition
(3:8-9).
While in exile he married, and was apparently happily married.
The day that the siege of Jerusalem began, God took his wife's life, as an
object lesson of
the destruction of Jerusalem.
He was instructed not to weep, as a symbol that none would mourn the
destruction of
Jerusalem.
After its destruction, Ezekiel was given a ministry of comforting the exiles
with the hope
that God would restore Israel.
Concerning the later events in Ezekiel's life, nothing is recorded.
It appears that he died in exile, as no reference is made to him after the
captivity period.
Tradition says that he was slain by another man in exile, because Ezekiel
rebuked him for
idolatry.
A summary statement of the life of Ezekiel may be found in the meaning of His
name:
"strengthened by God."
If ever a man's life bore testimony to this fact, it is the life of Ezekiel, the
prophet-priest of
God to the exiles.
His call to minister among the exiles in Babylon was received in 593 B.C.
His last dated prophecy was given 22 years later in 571 B.C.
The specific messages occurred at different times within this period.
BACKGROUND
Deuteronomy 28:1, 15
Nearly a thousand years had passed since Moses issued these words.
The history of Israel since that time had been filled with disobedience to
God's commands.
God sent repeated warnings to the people through His prophets.
In spite of their warnings, the people persisted in sin and idolatry.
The people developed a hard attitude toward the message of the prophets.
They were warned of coming judgment until they lost their fear of it.
Now the judgment was about to come at last.
Preliminary judgment has already come as a sign of what is yet to come.
Ezekiel will see the fulfillment of the words of the previous prophets and will
announce the
judgment to those in exile in Babylon.
Previous to the ministry of Ezekiel, the northern kingdom, Israel, had been
taken
captive by Assyria in 722 B.C.
The Chaldeans defeated Assyria and established their own empire.
In 605 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar launched his first campaign against Jerusalem.
He made Jehoiakim subservient to himself and took captive certain young
men of noble
birth, of whom Daniel was one (Dan. 1:1-7).
Within three years, Jehoiakim revolted against
Nebuchadnezzar.
In 598 B.C., during the reign of Jehoiachin, Nebuchadnezzar again took control
of Jerusalem.
At this time he took the king and most of the significant people back to
Babylon.
He left Zedekiah as a vassal king over the insignificant people left behind.
Ezekiel was taken captive in the 2nd deportation to Babylonia in 598 B.C. with
Jehoiachin.
He wrote the first 32 chapters as a pre-exilic book, before the fall of Jerusalem in
586 B.C.
The people left behind in Jerusalem thought God was punishing those
taken captive.
They were left behind because "they were especially pleasing to
God."
This fallacy was
re-enforced by the false prophets among them.
All were sure God would never let HIS chosen city fall!
In reality, God took the remnant to Babylon to preserve them-those left
behind would die
there.
It was against this backdrop that the prophet was called to minister.
He was to announce the impending destruction of Jerusalem.
The emphasis of this prophecy is from the perspective of the captivity.
He uses the pre-exilic focus as part of his attempt to comfort them by
explaining again
why they are in the captivity.
He then proclaimed a message of future restoration under the leadership of
their Messiah.
PURPOSE AND THEME
For generations the people have defiled the name of Yahweh.
Ezekiel's message is that:
God is about to glorify His name which Israel has ignored and cheapened.
He tells them how He is going to teach them Who He is.
Repeated theme: "And you shall know that I am the Lord!"
The book foretells the means by which this will be accomplished.
God will defeat His people, destroy His city, and send them into captivity.
Following this judgment, He will restore them again.
They will learn Who He is because of all that He is going to do in their
presence, both in
judging them, as well as in restoring them.
God is going to have His day!
Prior to the destruction of the city,
the purpose is to call the people to repentance,
therefore he uses a message of coming judgment.
Following that judgment,
the purpose is to encourage the people,
therefore he uses a message of coming restoration.
Both aspects reveal God's holiness, His love, and His mercy.
Both aspects reveal the totality of Who God is.
The entire program revealed demonstrates God's sovereign control over His
people and over
the nations of the world.
ORGANIZATION
The book divides into two major sections.
Both sections result in the knowledge and glory of the Lord.
The book hinges on 33:21-the fall of Jerusalem.
Prophecies before the fall of Jerusalem
1-32
Judgment is about to come.
Primarily against Israel, but the surrounding nations will also receive
God's correction.
Concerning the prophet 1-3
Prophecies of judgment against Jerusalem 4-24
Prophecies of judgment against the nations 25-32
Prophecies after the fall of Jerusalem
33-48
Restoration and millennial blessings to be received by Israel.
Prophecies concerning their restoration
33-39
Prophecies concerning the millennium 40-48
The result of BOTH sections is that ISRAEL AND THE NATIONS WILL KNOW
THAT YAHWEH IS
LORD! 33:29; 39:28; 48:35
ARGUMENT
CONCERNING THE PROPHET HIMSELF
1-3
The prophet begins with information concerning his own preparation and
call.
His historical context 1:1-3
His vision of the Lord 1:4-28
Ezekiel comes face to face with the glory of God that has been defiled by
God's people.
What is it? 1:28
"This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord."
The vision caused him to fall before it.
He sees what the people need to see: just how great the Lord really is!
His commission 2-3
The commission to go as a prophet to Israel
2:1-3a
The rebellion against God's Word
2:3b-7
God does not expect them to respond to the message, but they will be
judged for
rejecting the message of His prophet.
The appropriation of the message
2:8-3:3 (Compare Rev. 10:9-10)
In preparation for his position, Ezekiel is told to eat a scroll on which are
written words
of judgment and woe.
The eating of the scroll signifies Ezekiel's appropriation of God's message.
The hardness of heart 3:4-9
God describes the hardness of Israel, which is supposed to be His people.
He equips Ezekiel by hardening him also.
The preparation for the job 3:10-15
God empowers him for the job he is to do.
The responsibility of a watchman
3:16-21
He is reminded of a watchman's responsibility and the guiltiness which
is his if he doesn't
deliver the warning.
He is responsible to sound the alarm-what they do with it is their
responsibility.
God tells him up front that they won't listen to him.
God will hold him accountable for his assigned task, but not for their
response.
The silence of the spokesman 3:22-27
His mouth is going to be sealed except when God tells him to speak.
They will not receive a message from God when they want to hear it.
God will determine the time to speak to them.
Once again Ezekiel is reminded of the rebellion in the hearts of the people
and told not
to look for results from his ministry.
He is responsible to warn them-not to make them move.
What lessons do we learn from this introductory message concerning
Ezekiel?
AGAINST JERUSALEM 4-24
After establishing the source and authority of his message, the prophet begins
to announce
the judgment which is about to come upon Jerusalem.
Four signs of coming judgment 4-5:4
City on a tile 4:1-3
Ezekiel sets up a little model camp there and then destroys it.
That is what God is going to do to Jerusalem.
God is going to destroy Jerusalem.
Prophet on his side 4:4-8
Ezekiel lies on his left side for 390 days and on his right side for forty days.
Each day represents one year.
The sign represents the attack against Jerusalem.
God will judge Israel for 390 years for the sin of Israel (N) and 40 for the
sin of Judah.
Defiled bread 4:9-17
Ezekiel was to take several types of grain, put them into one vessel, and
make bread of
it.
Food and water are rationed, which announces coming famine and thirst.
The sign is a graphic picture of the effects of the Babylonian invasion on
the people.
The use of dung to bake the bread is a picture of their inability to get
firewood from
outside the city and demonstrates the extent of the defilement.
Shaved head and divided hair 5:1-4
Ezekiel is to take a razor and shave both his head and his beard.
He divides the hair into three parts.
The razor is a picture of Nebuchadnezzar.
The three parts represent what will happen to Israel.
Some will burn.
Some will be slain by the sword.
Some will be scattered.
Three explanatory messages 5:5-7:27
Explanation of the four signs 5:5-17
Interprets the last sign, but serves as a commentary on all four.
Because of Israel's rebellion and disobedience, God is about to bring
severe judgment on
them.
Cause of judgment 6
Begins and ends with an announcement of judgment.
1st announces the destruction of the city 1-7
2nd emphasizes the death of many individuals 11-14
In both cases the cause is idolatry.
In the middle God promises to preserve a remnant (8-10) because He
wants them to
know that He still loves them and still has plans to bless them in the future.
Description of judgment 7
Seems to imply the response of the people to the prophet's message.
They have become hardened to the prophets because of the long delay in
the judgment.
Ezekiel announces that the day of judgment has come.
This is their last chance to repent.
He then describes again in detail what they can expect to happen, to
strengthen the
urgency of his appeal.
Four visions concerning abominations
8-11
Actually this is all one vision which points to four aspects of the same
condition.
Their abominations have become so gross in God's sight, that He must
leave the city-the
glory is about to depart!
Shows the contrast between the glory of God and the defilement of His
name by the
people.
Vision of the abomination in the temple
8
1-4 reveals the glory of God
5-18 reveals the defilement of the temple-goes from bad to worse:
An image in the north gate provokes God to jealousy 5-6
Pictures on the inside temple walls of beasts and idols 7-10
70 elders inside offering incense to the paintings, claiming "God is dead" 11-12
Men at the temple door worshiping the sun 15-16
God declares that their idolatry has provoked Him to judge the house of
Judah 17-18
Vision of the man with the inkhorn 9
God calls for those who have charge over the city to come with their
weapons.
One of the men is sent with an inkhorn to mark the forehead of all who
mourn because
of the abomination which has taken place.
The others are sent out to slay all those who are not marked.
Message: though God is about to destroy the city, a remnant will be
preserved.
The glory of the Lord moves from its position by the ark to the threshold
of the
temple.
Vision of the coals of fire 10
The man clothed in linen is commanded to reach into the wheels described
as those seen
by the river Chebar, take coals of fire, and spread them throughout the city.
Message: from the same glory of the Lord that they have defiled, judgment
is going to
come.
The glory of the Lord moves from the Holy of holies to the east gate of
the Lord's
house.
Vision of the judgment 11
Depicts the judgment of the leaders of the city.
God sends Ezekiel to prophesy against the city.
When he is through, Pelatiah, one of those who led the people in their sin,
dies.
Ezekiel fears that the result of his prophecy will be the extermination of
the people.
God promises to preserve a remnant.
The glory of the Lord is seen departing from the city and standing on
the Mount of
Olives-it is understood that it leaves from there.
Symbols and messages announcing judgment
12-19
A series of announcement and predictions concerning the coming judgment
follows in
12-24.
First Ezekiel uses signs, messages and parables to announce the judgment.
Two signs 12:1-20
Sign of the removal of the prophet's possessions
12:1-16
God instructs Ezekiel to pack his bags and move to another place In
sight of the
people.
Message: God is going to send them into exile.
He represents the prince in particular, whose face would be covered so
he might not
see the ground and who, though he would die in exile, would never see Babylonia
(that is, Zedekiah).
Sign of trembling 12:17-20
The people would eat trembling, as the prophet had eaten.
The land would be desolate and waste.
Soon! (Not as far off as many thought)
Five messages 12:21-14:23
A proverb rejected 12:21-25
"The days are long and every vision fails."
Don't misinterpret the delay. God doesn't forget.
The judgment is sure; 1000 years are like a day to God (2 Pet. 3:3-9)!
Time is only an issue from a human perspective; not to God.
"The days draw near as well as the fulfillment of every vision."
A saying denied 12:26-28
"The vision he sees is for many years from now; he prophesies of times far off."
The delay is over.
This generation will see its fulfillment.
It's imminent!
Message against the false prophets
13
They are lying. God hasn't spoken to them.
They promise what they desire.
God is against them. He will destroy all they have.
Message against the elders 14:1-11
The elders come to Ezekiel for advice.
He condemns them for their idolatry and exhorts them to repent.
Any who refuse will be judged.
If they seek out a prophet, God will deal with them personally.
If the prophet doesn't condemn them, both the prophet and the elders will be judged
by God.
Message concerning the impossibility of salvation for this generation
14:12-23
They will not be delivered, regardless of who intercedes for them.
Nevertheless, there will be a remnant preserved through the judgment.
Three parables 15-17
Parable of the vine 15
The vine is only good for bearing fruit.
It can't perform any work.
God planted Israel as a vine to bear fruit.
Since it has not produced fruit, it is worthless.
God is going to cut it down, and use it as fuel for a fire.
Parable of Israel's marriage
16
Israel is like an abandoned child whom God cleansed and raised to
marriageable age.
He then took responsibility for her and married her, raising her to a royal state.
After God had done all this for her, she became a prostitute, and made
idols of the
jewels He had given to her.
She turned to everyone but Him, committing fornication with Egypt, Assyria, and
Chaldea.
Therefore, she must be punished as an adulterous wife.
Nevertheless, afterwards God will restore her and reestablish His
marriage covenant
with her, because He still loves her.
Parable of two eagles 17
Israel is like a cedar whose high twigs (= royal house) were taken by an
eagle
(Babylon) who protected and cared for them.
The king tried to ally himself with a second eagle (Egypt).
Israel is no more faithful to its human commitments than it is in its
commitment to
God.
Because of Israel's unfaithfulness, the king of Babylon will come
against them and
destroy them, and kill their king.
This is a divine judgment, because of their unfaithfulness to the Lord.
Nevertheless, God will preserve the highest twig, which He will later restore.
Principle of divine dealing 18
They were repeating a popular parable:
"The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge."
They think that God is judging the children for the sins of their fathers.
They don't even recognize their own sin.
God's principle:
The sinner will die for his own sin and the righteous will live.
No one will be judged for his father's sin, nor will any remain unjudged because of his
father's righteousness.
If anyone repents of their former lifestyle and adopts another, the reward
will be
reversed also (either direction).
Based on this principle, God urges them to repent.
Because they will not turn back from their sin, they will be judged.
Lament for princes 19
Jehoahaz 19:1-4
Jehoiachin 19:5-9
Zedekiah 19:10-14
Predictions concerning the judgment 20-24
Following the general announcement of the coming judgment (12-19), Ezekiel
presents a
series of specific predictions concerning that judgment (20-24).
Review of God's past dealings 20:1-32
Some elders come to inquire of the Lord before Ezekiel.
The Lord refuses to reveal anything to them, because the people don't
really want to
obey Him 20:1-4
The reason given to the elders is based on Israel's rebellion throughout her
entire history.
In every important period of God's dealing with her, she has rebelled
against Him.
In Egypt 20:5-9
In the wilderness 20:10-17
In the border of Canaan 20:18-26
In each of these cases, God forgave her, not for her sake, but for
His name's
sake!
In Ezekiel's time 20:27-32
Now they still rebel.
God is no longer going to spare them.
It is His name they are desecrating.
Revelation of God's future dealings
20:33-44
Judgment to eliminate the rebellious
33-39
Restoration because of His name
40-44
Description of judgments 20:45-21:32
Figure of a fire in a dry forest
20:45-49
Figure of a sharpened sword 21:1-32
Cause of judgments 22
Basic causes: bloodshed and idolatry (1-5)
Parable of two sisters 23
Two adulterous sisters:
Oholah = Samaria (Israel (N.)) with Assyria => taken captive by Assyria
Oholibah = Jerusalem (Judah) with all the nations => taken captive by Babylonia
Final results: Like any harlot, they will be stoned, and their sons slain.
Final message of judgment 24
Delivered on the very day that the king of Babylon approached the city
to destroy it.
Parable: the boiling pot into which flesh is placed
24:1-14
All flesh will be destroyed.
The final result is purification, but not until God's anger is fully manifested.
Sign: the death of Ezekiel's wife
24:15-27
Instruction not to lament her death
15-18
Explanation of the sign 19-23
Sign of Ezekiel's silence 24-27
God's final word had been spoken; there would be no further word!
What lessons do we learn for our lives today from these words of judgment
pronounced against Jerusalem?
AGAINST THE PAGAN NATIONS 25-32
Simultaneous with the judgments against Jerusalem, Ezekiel presents a
summary of the
Babylonian invasion of the region.
TWO nations are the special focus of attention: Tyre and Egypt.
Against surrounding nations that despise Israel
(AND her God!)
25-28
Against Ammon 25:1-7
Against Moab 25:8-11
Against Edom 25:12-14
Against Philistia 25:15-17
Against Tyre 26-28:19
"King of Tyre" receives descriptions which no man could ever fulfill.
Therefore it is assumed that this is a reference to Satan, as the power behind the
throne.
Satan's great fault was his pride.
Nowhere in Scripture is the description of a man so close to that of Satan himself, as is
the prince of Tyre-except for the Antichrist.
"Prince" is commonly used of a king throughout Ezekiel.
The "Prince of Tyre" is clearly human.
This prince operates as an instrument in the hands of the king.
The king is puffed up with pride and his desire is to keep God from
putting His Son on
the throne.
The king wants to be like God.
The prince, and Tyre itself, appear to be instruments of Satan, intent on
accomplishing
his purpose.
Against Sidon 28:20-23
Resultant peace for Jerusalem 28:24-26
Against Egypt in whom Israel trusted
29-32
Judah didn't have to trust God as long as Egypt was there to help them.
Egypt had distracted Israel from following her God for generations.
Although they had been the most significant of the nations, they would
become the
least.
Downfall of the nation 29
Description of the judgment 30
Comparison of Assyria with Egypt 31
Lament over Egypt 32
What lessons do we learn from the judgment of the nations?
The book begins with the presence of the Glory of the Lord, views His departure,
and closes
with the promise of His presence in the restored millennial kingdom.
Two major themes arise following the fall of Jerusalem:
* The restoration to the land in general 33-39
* The millennial kingdom and its specific conditions 40-48
CONCERNING RESTORATION 33-39
Appointment of the watchman 33
This time Ezekiel is to speak as the spokesman for the fulfillment of God's
promise of
blessing for Israel.
Divine commission 1-9
The new commission begins where the old one ended.
As a watchman, Ezekiel was responsible to warn people concerning the coming
judgment.
He faithfully fulfilled that assignment, right up to the end.
But his work isn't over yet.
The new commission is given in preparation for the fall of Jerusalem, and
the starting of
a new epoch, and a new role of encouraging the people to trust God to fulfill His
promises for the future.
Divine message 10-20
Now Ezekiel is to repeat again the message that God is faithful in His
dealings with His
people.
He has to remind them of the rest of the story: the principles of God's
judgment.
The implication of this message is that now the people need to repent.
Divine opening of the mouth 21-33
Announcement of the fall of Jerusalem
21
His mouth opened 22
The remnant's pride 23-24
The remnant's sin 25-26
The remnant's judgment 27-29
The remnant's stubbornness 30-32
The responsibility of God's spokesman 33
They still aren't going to listen!
He is still to warn them.
When the judgment comes, they will know that God has spoken.
Shepherds in Israel 34
False shepherds 1-10
They were looking for personal profit, not for the welfare of the people.
True shepherds 11-31
God Himself is going to take their place, because the leaders of the
people have not
been faithful in administering their stewardship.
Their gathering and judgment
11-22
The naming of David as true and faithful shepherd 23-24
The peace treaty 25-31
Prophecies concerning Edom 35
Promise of judgment 1-9
Cause of judgment 10-15
The cause of the judgment is their hatred and desire to eliminate Israel and
the God of
Israel.
This attitude is still visible as one part of the Arab-Israeli conflict today!
Prophecies concerning Israel 36-37
Judgment of the nations 36:1-7
Prosperity of the land 36:8-15
Sin of the people 36:16-21
Cleansing of the nation 36:22-38
God will regather them, cleanse them, and give them a new heart.
Then He will be able to bless them.
Restoration of the nation 37
The vision of the bones demonstrates graphically how God is going to
restore the
national life of Israel 1-14
He is going to take the old scattered bones, which are devoid of life.
He is going to bring them together, and restore them to life.
The sign of the two sticks that are united in one demonstrates that the
nation which
has been divided in two will be united again. 15-28
Prophecies concerning Gog and Magog
38-39
The people have been restored to the land again.
They are sitting in an unwalled city.
They are secure.
They are probably confident of their protection under a peace treaty (Dan. 9:27).
In that secure context, God is going to bring together the last oppressors
of Israel for a
final conflict.
Invasion 38:1-16
God unites the nations of the north (Russia and friends (Iraq, Iran,
others?)) together
with those of the south (Egypt, Arabs, others ???) in a great alliance against Israel.
They unite to attack the nation that has been reunited from out of all the
nations of the
world and is sitting confident and secure in cities without walls-without protection!
38:8
They attack with great power, thinking this will be their chance to take
Israel by
surprise and walk away with rich spoils from a defenseless victim.
[Some contemporary problems blocking this scenario:
1. Russia's current weakened role in modern political scene.
2. Israel is far from "secure in unwalled villages."
3. Surprise attack-the attack is totally unexpected!
How do we get there from here?
When God's time is right for this attack, He'll have all the pieces in place! ]
Judgment
38:17-39:29
When they strike, God will work in a way that will distinguish Him from
all the pagan
gods of the nations.
All will be able to see the difference and recognize that He is God! 38:16
God will supernaturally destroy the attacking nations with all their mighty
power.
38:17-23
He will lead them to the mountains of Israel, where they will be destroyed.
This will end their rebellion, and their countries will be destroyed. 39:1-8
Those who live in the cities of Israel will go out to where God has caused
the destruction
and clean up the remains. 39:9-16
God invites the beasts to come out and enjoy a great banquet from the
remains of
those who fall in the confrontation. 39:17-21
From this day forward, Israel recognizes Yahweh as her God.
39:20-22
Even the pagan nations come to realize God's purposes in Israel's
suffering. 39:23-24
Israel will be reestablished in the land again, and will enjoy the right
relationship with
her God. 39:25-29
CONCERNING THE MILLENNIUM
40-48
Immediately following the period of preparation for the restoration, the
prophet begins to
describe the conditions during the millennium.
The worship system is totally renovated.
Some of the same elements are repeated.
Other elements are absent, because they are no longer useful.
Visions of the restored temple
40-42
The description of the temple would be a real comfort to those who had seen
the
destruction of the old temple.
The temple is totally different than the one they had known and than any
temple ever
built.
It is built in order to facilitate millennial worship.
Return of the glory of the Lord
43:1-12
Once the Glory of the Lord returns, the promise is given that it will never
again
depart-because the nation will never again profane the name of the Lord.
Ordinances concerning worship 43:13-46:24
The sacrifices and offerings are present as a REMINDER of what Christ
accomplished
through His death.
They system is totally different than the Levitical system.
Some of the most important elements in the old system are absent.
No ark of the covenant
No mercy seat
No Day of Atonement
The altar of burnt offering is central-the memorial!
Altar of burnt offering 43:13-27
Regulations concerning ministers 44
Division of the land 45:1-17
The old inheritance boundaries are changed.
Offerings and sacrifices 45:18-46:24
Vision of the land 47-48
River from the temple 47:1-12
Borders of the land 47:13-23
Divisions of the land 48:1-29
Gates of the city 48:30-35a
Description of the city 48:35b
The main characteristic is what was missing in the rest of the book:
THE PRESENCE OF YAHWEH!
The result of the events described in the book is also the theme of the book:
"THEY SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD!"
What lessons do we learn that relate to our lives today from the restoration
promises given to Israel following the destruction of Jerusalem?