Ezekiel

Ezekiel Historical Setting Historical Setting – Nineveh fell in 612 B.C., no longer dominant – Josiah was killed in battle with Egypt in 609, when Egypt on its way north to help Assyria Judah made Jehoahaz (Josiah’s son) king Judah made Jehoahaz (Josiah’s son) king – Assyria was defeated by Babylon. Egypt tried to gain control of Syria & Palestine. Pharaoh Neco took Jehoahaz prisoner 3 months later, placed Jehoiakim/Eliakim (Josiah’s son) on throne, making Judah an Egyptian vassal. Jehoiakim reigned at the pleasure of Neco. Pharaoh Neco took Jehoahaz prisoner 3 months later, placed Jehoiakim/Eliakim (Josiah’s son) on throne, making Judah an Egyptian vassal. Jehoiakim reigned at the pleasure of Neco. – Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, defeated Egypt at Battle of Carchemish in 605 B.C. Established Babylon as dominant power Established Babylon as dominant power

Ezekiel Historical Setting Historical Setting – After Babylon defeated Egypt at Carchemish, Lordship over Judah passed from Egypt to Babylon (605 B.C.) The first group of captives was carried to Babylon, like Daniel & his companions (Dan. 1:1ff) The first group of captives was carried to Babylon, like Daniel & his companions (Dan. 1:1ff) – Jehoiakim owed his throne to Egypt but paid tribute to Babylon for 3 years to appease them. Ultimately he rebelled against Babylon, which brought Nebuchadnezzar down to do battle. Jehoiakim was killed in the battle. Jehoiakim was killed in the battle. Jehoiachin, his son, became king and surrendered to Babylon three months later in 597 B.C. Jehoiachin, his son, became king and surrendered to Babylon three months later in 597 B.C. The second group of captives was carried to Babylon, including Jehoiachin, 10,000 & Ezekiel (25 yrs. old). The second group of captives was carried to Babylon, including Jehoiachin, 10,000 & Ezekiel (25 yrs. old).

Ezekiel Historical Setting Historical Setting – Nebuchadnezzar placed Mattaniah (another son of Josiah) on the throne and gave him the name Zedekiah. Zedekiah was at first a loyal vassal, then rebelled in 586, hoping to get aid from Egypt. Zedekiah was at first a loyal vassal, then rebelled in 586, hoping to get aid from Egypt. – Nebuchadnezzar came against Jerusalem again, burned the temple, destroyed the wall & carried third group of captives back. Gedaliah left to be governor over the poor who remained but was murdered. Gedaliah left to be governor over the poor who remained but was murdered. The remaining Judean survivors fled to Egypt (to escape Babylonians) & took Jeremiah with them. The remaining Judean survivors fled to Egypt (to escape Babylonians) & took Jeremiah with them. – Captivity had set in.

Ezekiel Historical Setting Historical Setting – Along comes Ezekiel, “the prophet of exile” His name means, “God is strong” His name means, “God is strong” He prophesied for 22 years ( B.C.) – 30 yrs. old He prophesied for 22 years ( B.C.) – 30 yrs. old He was a member of a priestly family He was a member of a priestly family – Contemporaries: Jeremiah ( B.C.) – mainly to the Jews before the city fell (call to repent; warn of doom) Jeremiah ( B.C.) – mainly to the Jews before the city fell (call to repent; warn of doom) Daniel ( B.C.) – prophet mainly to court of King Nebuchadnezzar (rulers) in Babylon Daniel ( B.C.) – prophet mainly to court of King Nebuchadnezzar (rulers) in Babylon Ezekiel ( B.C.) – prophet mainly to the exiles in Babylon, before & after fall Ezekiel ( B.C.) – prophet mainly to the exiles in Babylon, before & after fall – Ezekiel always dates events from the time of Jehoiachin’s captivity (597 B.C.)

Ezekiel The Message of Ezekiel The Message of Ezekiel – First: To combat undue/errant optimism False prophets said captivity over in 2 yrs (Jer. 28) False prophets said captivity over in 2 yrs (Jer. 28) Kept exiles extremely optimistic, on verge of revolt Kept exiles extremely optimistic, on verge of revolt – We are Abraham’s descendants & entitled to promises – Descendant of David still on the throne (Zedekiah) – The temple (where God’s name dwelt) was still standing Ezekiel combats this optimism: Ezekiel combats this optimism: – Expectation of a speedy return is delusion (13:1ff) – Zedekiah was coming to Babylon (12:13-14) – The people still in Jerusalem would be dispersed First Theme: “Jerusalem must be destroyed.” First Theme: “Jerusalem must be destroyed.” – Presented in symbolic act, vision & allegory God’s glory not confined to temple or Jerusalem! God’s glory not confined to temple or Jerusalem!

Ezekiel The Message of Ezekiel The Message of Ezekiel – Second: To combat despair among Jews When the final calamity came in 586 B.C. & Jerusalem was destroyed, a spirit of despair swept over the people (ch before the fall of Jerusalem; ch after the fall of Jerusalem) When the final calamity came in 586 B.C. & Jerusalem was destroyed, a spirit of despair swept over the people (ch before the fall of Jerusalem; ch after the fall of Jerusalem) – “If our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?” (33:10). – “Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!” (37:11). – “Our fathers sinned and are no more, But we bear their iniquities.” (Lam. 5:7) Ezekiel combated this despair, lest it lead to complete abandonment of the Lord Ezekiel combated this despair, lest it lead to complete abandonment of the Lord Second Theme: “Glory of God return to Jerusalem.” Second Theme: “Glory of God return to Jerusalem.”

Ezekiel Some Main Themes in Ezekiel Some Main Themes in Ezekiel – Calamity came as punishment for sin! – “The word of the Lord came to me” – 49 times – “Thus says the Lord” – 127 verses (cf. 3:27) – “They shall know that I am God” – 62 times – God is sovereign! – God is holy! – Personal accountability before the Lord – Responsibility of God’s watchman (3:16ff; 33:1ff) – There is hope! – Frequent references in book of Revelation.