“Know
that I am the Lord”
Historical
background and purpose of the prophet:
Ezekiel
was a prophet to the southern Kingdom and the Jews in exile. He probably wrote
the book around 597 BC – right after he was carried off to exile together with
the others. It is one of the easiest books to date the prophecies because
Ezekiel dates them. In the subtitles in SVB it says that a number of dates in
Ezekiel, can be cross- checked with dates in surviving Babylonian records, and also
are related to our modern calendar. He ministered for about twenty years. He was
like Jeremiah also a priest – and he shows concern of priestly matters as
temple, priesthood, sacrifices and the glory of God manifested in the temple (NB
p.219) He was prophesying at the same time as Jeremiah and Daniel, the latter
is mentioned three times. (14.14, 20, 28.3)
The
book can be divided into 4 sections:
Ch.
1-3: the call and commission
Ch.
4-24: the judgment on Judah
Ch.25-32:
the judgment on the Gentiles
Ch.33-48
warning and urging Judah and the other nation to repent, and a message of hope,
encouragement and restoration to the people in exile
(NB.p
220, introduction SVB)
He
gives a very detailed plan for the new temple – impressive detailed – and I
liked the picture in NBp.224. – but most important for Ezekiel was to express
that “ the Lord is there” – and for the temple being a pure and vital place of
worship. Ch. 43.1-4, 41.22
Theme
tracing:
What does the book show
about the character and nature of God?
One
of the very repeated themes is “they
would know that I am/ alone is the Lord” both when He shows justice/anger
and restoration. It is so essential for all of us to get this revealed in our
inner being!
He
shows His eager to let the one He called to see
and recognize Gods view 8.6,
God
wants to speak to His people 2.1
He
wants His words to sink deep in. 3.10
He
has a jealous anger 5.13
He
has a desire to save His people and now us, by giving a new and tender heart 11.18-21 and 36.26.
He
wants to show His forgiveness ch.18
He
has given the sign of Sabbath days of rest to remind His people that: “I am the
Lord, who have set them apart to be holy” 20.12
He
is looking for someone to stand in the gap
- so He can show mercy 22.30
What does this book show
about God´s redemptive plan for mankind?
In
ch.34 Ezekiel gets the prophecy against the shepherds – the leaders of Israel.
We read how they wrongly care for their sheep – and how God as the divine
shepherd cares for His flock, He also points forward to Jesus as the Good
shepherd (John 10.11-16) I love this picture in the Bible about the shepherds .It
gives me a better understanding of the care, the protection, the interest He
has for me in being safe, feed, led, good live to live and to thrive! And then
how strong Jesus as the good shepherd is pictured in the New Testament – I love
the verses in John 10!
The
restored sanctuary in the midst of the gathering people foreshadows the
tabernacle of David and thus the church. (Amos 9.11, Act 15.16) (NBp.220 -1)
There
are prophetic images of Christ speaking in this book: “ as a man in linen” 9.11
“
a man whose face shone like bronze” starting in 39.3. The book uses the title “
son of man” over 90 times, and it has a clear foreshadowing to Jesus. Speaking
about “my servant David as King” is probably also foreshadowing to Jesus in 37.24,
Ef 2.
Much
in this book is mentioned in Revelation – I think Randy said about 48 times.
The
story about the dry bones coming alive, may be a picture of Gods redeemed plan
for His people (ch.37) I can sense the hope God wants to redeem: He has a plan,
he will restore, he will save, cleanse, He will pour out His spirit – all to show that He is their God and they
are His People.37.27. They way he breathed life into these bones – reminds
about Gen 2.7, Job.33.4, God’s life creating breath,–and Jesus word in John
10.10 : “so you should have life, and life everlasting. “
Application
questions
Personal application:
I
really need the picture and comfort in the picture of Jesus as my shepherd. In
myself I am quite capable of many things – and I can get so tired of trying to
find out good solution. I can become overactive in taking responsibility of all
kinds of thing, persons and activities, – and my brain just winds up and wears
me out. I can see that much of this can be used to both for good and Godly
purposes – but it is so important for me to find rest, feel being cared for,
protected, can hide close to - and as I
say I find much comfort in the picture of the good shepherd both in Old and New
Testament – but specially in Looking to Jesus as said in Hebr. 12.3
Ch.20.12
– the rest
Point
of passion:
” To keep the reservation
possibility for physicians in Norway, in matters of conscience”.
This week I have used some time praying for
this POP – both the persons I know and my involvement. So I don´t have anything
new to write her.
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