August 27: Ezekiel 1-4

August 27, Ezekiel 1-4

Welcome to the book of Ezekiel, one of the major Prophets (major is dictated by the size of the book, not necessarily reputation or significance). 

‘They shall know that I am God’ is used 62 times in Ezekiel - obviously a major point throughout this book. This book is about the vindication of God, not about the vindication of Israel & Judah. Also, Ezekiel is referred to by God as ‘Son of Man’ 90 times in this book. Daniel is the only other person in the Old Testament referred to that way, and it basically means that Ezekiel is identified as a creature before the great Creator (Jesus himself was also called this…). 

Ezekiel was a priest that was concerned about the holiness of God and the sins of God’s people. He lived during the Exile in Babylon. We do know that he was married, but don't think he had any children. 

Understand, he was speaking to a group of broken people who had sinned against God after much warnings from the other prophets. God’s name was to be vindicated for their sins, and although sometimes he comes across very harsh, what he is saying is Truth - which is what we want. Ezekiel had numerous visions, which we will learn about and endured many personal sufferings being one of God’s prophets. 

Ezekiel 1 starts out with an autobiography of Ezekiel. What do we learn? We know that he was called by God to be a prophet during Jehoiachin’s reign. The hand of the Lord was upon Ezekiel. 

Ezekiel received a vision from God that was so great, it was hard for Ezekiel to explain. He referred to a lot of it as examples of things he could relate to - it was simply too great to really explain. He basically saw 4 angels with human faces,but also having faces of a lion and an ox. They had wings and wherever the Spirit led them, they would go. He also saw a wheel, 4 of them. “Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.” I know, crazy right? Above the living creatures there was an expanse that was shining like crystal. Above the expanse there was a throne with the likeness of someone there. “Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.” This was all too much for Ezekiel to see or comprehend. From Halley’s Bible Handbook, ‘This was the form in which God appeared to Ezekiel. It signified His Glory, Power, Omniscience (all knowing), Omnipresence (all present), Omnipotence (all powerful), Sovereignty (in control of all), Majesty & Holiness.’

Ezekiel 2 is Ezekiel’s call from God. After Ezekiel saw this, God said to him, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” Better than that, the Spirit of the Lord lifted Ezekiel on his feet! Here was Ezekiel’s call: “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.” Regardless of the people’s response, Ezekiel was to be obedient. He was being called to a life of hardship and persecution - like many and most prophets of the Lord. The people would be disobedient and stubborn but Ezekiel was not to be afraid of them - because God was with him.

Ezekiel 3 God gave His message to Ezekiel in the form of a book, which Ezekiel had to eat - and Ezekiel was obedient (it tasted like honey!). God’s message was literally or figuratively now inside of Ezekiel. Now he is commissioned to go to the house of Israel & speak to them. He did not send him to a foreign nation with a foreign tongue, although that would be easier than the task at hand, but He sent him to a disobedient nation that would most likely not accept what God was saying through His prophet Ezekiel. The Spirit lifted up Ezekiel and brought him to the exiles at Tel-abib, who lived by a canal. Ezekiel sat there 7 days overwhelmed and said nothing. At the end of the 7 days, God spoke to Ezekiel commanding him to say whatever God told him to. Ezekiel basically had to obey regardless. If Ezekiel did not, then Ezekiel was to blame for what came upon the people for not warning them. Massive responsibility. Ezekiel was only to speak what God wanted him to - nothing more nothing less. Then God used physical examples for Ezekiel to be a prophet - “Go, shut yourself within your house. And you, O son of man, behold, cords will be placed upon you, and you shall be bound with them, so that you cannot go out among the people. And I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be mute and unable to reprove them, for they are a rebellious house.” He was literally only able to speak when God said he could. They were a rebellious house and would not listen…

Ezekiel 4 It is quite possible that the exiles were hoping for a quick return to the Promised Land, that they have been kicked out of. God told Ezekiel to use a graphic warning to tell them about what was coming. Again, from Halley’s Bible Handbook, ‘… was this graphic warning that Jerusalem was about to be destroyed, and that they would soon be joined by other captives, and that their captivity would last at least 40 years.’ To show this, God tied up Ezekiel with cords and had him lie on his side, eating meager portions and drinking meager portions for 390 days. Ezekiel did not argue with what God was calling him to, until God told him he had to cook his food on human poop (poop back in the day was a common source of fuel for cooking). Ezekiel said to God, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I have never defiled myself. From my youth up till now I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has tainted meat come into my mouth.”Then he said to me, “See, I assign to you cow's dung instead of human dung, on which you may prepare your bread.” God was gracious to Ezekiel. He was a priest, and Ezekiel viewed food as holy (excrement is not holy…). In addition, God was going to break the supply of food for Jerusalem and put those people into dismay as well. 

To sum it all up: 

• God gives dreams to show what He will be doing and sometimes dreams are crazy! But, God is intentional in what He is doing.
• The people of God have literally rebelled against Him and God is a God of Justice - so it makes sense that He would be punishing them for their idolatrous and whorish ways. 
• Regardless of what God calls you to - be obedient! I know it may sound trite - but if the Creator of the Universe takes time to tell you what to do, obey. Remember, obedience equals blessing and disobedience equals punishment. This is really the same concept in all walks of life, yet we fight it when we hear about it with God - like it is unfair…
• Some examples of where we see this everyday:
• Your boss tells you to do something and you tell him no, over and over. How long do you think you will be working there?
• Your spouse asks you to do something and you completely ignore her/him and actually do the opposite. In doing so, you humiliate her/him. How long do you think you will be married, or at least have peace in your home?
• The government tells you to pay your taxes and you don’t. It is only a matter of time before you are punished
• My point - in all aspects of life, we are blessed if we obey.