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Introduction

As is usual for the Major and Minor Prophets, this book is named for its author. Ezekiel was a contemporary of Jeremiah, but slightly younger. Both came from priestly families. That said, Ezekiel was slightly younger than Jeremiah and did not begin prophesying until he had been in Babylon a few years. He was the among the first group of Jews whom Nebuchadnezzar had exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon (The Babylonian Captivity) Therefore, Ezekiel never had opportunity to minister as a priest in the temple. He was too young when he was deported to Babylon (probably in his mid-20’s), and there is no indication that he ever returned to Jerusalem – probably dying before the 70-exile ended. Like Jeremiah, Ezekiel’s primary serve to God was as a prophet rather than as a priest.

As with Isaiah and Jeremiah, a central focus for Ezekiel was the fate of Jerusalem. The difference was that Ezekiel prophesied from Babylon – far away from the homeland where Isaiah, and later, Jeremiah had prophesied. This difference indeed gives the book a “far away” feel. The book of Ezekiel contains apocalyptic sections – the kind of writing we also find in Daniel, Zechariah, and, in the New Testament, Revelation. This adds to its “far away” feel.

Notwithstanding the “far away” feel of the book, it is an intensely book as well. When the Lord speaks of Israel’s idolatry, He speaks from pain as a husband whose wife has committed adultery against him might speak from pain. And when the Lord speaks from this pain, He uses very personal metaphors – that is, you have to sift out the parts that might not be suitable for children in your FDT’s.

In 597 BC, Nebuchadnezzar sent a force against Jerusalem that exiled King Jehoiachin and 10,000 other Jews (including Ezekiel) to Babylon. This was about 11 years before the complete fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. See 2 Kings 24:14.

Ezekiel ministered from 593 BC until 571 BC. This was roughly the period from when he was 30 years old to when he was 50. (Coincidentally, this was the prescribed period of time priests served according to the Law of Moses.) This means Ezekiel ministered about 7 years before Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed in 586 BC…and for about 15 years after. (Key Dates for Ancient Israel) News of the city’s fall reached Ezekiel and the other exiles in Ezek 33:21.

A General Outline of the Book

Chapters 1-24 – Judgment on Israel
Chapters 25-32 – Judgment on the Nations
Chapters 33-48 – Consolation for Israel, including…
- Chapters 38-39 – The Destruction of Gog (Prophecy of Israel’s Final Battle)
- Chapters 40-48 – A New Temple

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Ezekiel 1

The Vision of Four Figures

Ezek 1:1 – These “exiles” were part of the Babylonian Captivity. ***** As for “visions,” they were the stock-in-trade of prophets. Thus Ezekiel may as well have said, “I am a prophet of God” for this would have conveyed the same meaning.

Ezek 1:2 – “King Jehoiachin” reigned only three months before Nebuchadnezzar exiled him to Babylon and replaced him with the man who would be Judah’s last king – Zedekiah. For more information on both men, see The Last 5 Kings of Judah.

Ezek 1:3 – “Chaldeans” were the people of the nation or region of Chaldea, of which Babylon was the capital. As a practical matter, the nation was referred to more often by the name of its capital than any other way.

Vision of Divine Glory

Ezek 1:26 – Who could be 1) on a throne, 2) that high up, 3) with the appearance of a man but our Lord Jesus Christ? #FJOT

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Ezekiel 2

The Prophet’s Call

Ezek 2:1 – The expression “son of man” occurs 93 times in the book of Daniel. It is consistently used as you see it used here: that is, as the Lord’s way of addressing Ezekiel. The Lord doesn’t explain why He’s addressing Ezekiel this way; He just does it. To understand more about this, and how the expression is used elsewhere in the Bible, especially as a title for Messiah, see SON OF MAN.

Ezek 2:2 – “the Spirit“

Ezek 2:3 – “son of man“

Ezek 2:5 – “prophet“

Ezek 2:8 – “son of man“

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Ezekiel 3

Ezekiel’s Commission

Ezek 3:1 – “Son of man“

Ezek 3:3 – This verse sounds similar to a verse Jeremiah wrote (Jer 15:16).

Ezek 3:4 – “Son of man“

Ezek 3:10 – “Son of man“

Ezek 3:11 – “the exiles“

Ezek 3:12 – “the Spirit“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 3:14 – “the Spirit“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 3:16 – “the Lord“

Ezek 3:17 – “Son of man“

Ezek 3:22 – “the Lord“

Ezek 3:23 – “the Lord“

Ezek 3:24 – “the Spirit“

Ezek 3:25 – “son of man“

Ezek 3:27 – “the Lord“

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Ezekiel 4

Siege of Jerusalem Predicted

Ezek 4:1 – “son of man“ ***** “Jerusalem“

Ezek 4:7 – “Jerusalem“

Defiled Bread

Ezek 4:13 – “the Lord“

Ezek 4:14 – “Lord“

Ezek 4:16 – “Son of man“ ***** “Jerusalem“

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Ezekiel 5

Jerusalem’s Desolation Foretold

Ezek 5:1 – “son of man“

Ezek 5:5 – “the Lord“ ***** “Jerusalem“

Ezek 5:7 – “the Lord“

Ezek 5:8 – “the Lord“

Ezek 5:11 – “the Lord“

Ezek 5:13 – “the Lord“

Ezek 5:15 – “the Lord“

Ezek 5:17 – “the Lord“

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Ezekiel 6

Idolatrous Worship Denounced

Ezek 6:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 6:2 – “Son of man“

Ezek 6:3 – “the Lord“

Ezek 6:7 – “the Lord“

Ezek 6:10 – “the Lord“

Ezek 6:11 – “the Lord“

Ezek 6:13 – “the Lord“

Ezek 6:14 – “the Lord“

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Ezekiel 7

Punishment for Wickedness Foretold

Ezek 7:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 7:2 – “son of man“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 7:4 – “the Lord“

Ezek 7:5 – “the Lord“

Ezek 7:9 – “the Lord“

Ezek 7:19 – “the Lord“

The Temple Profaned

Ezek 7:26 – “prophet“ ***** “the law“ ***** “priest“

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Ezekiel 8

Vision of Abominations in Jerusalem

Ezek 8:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 8:3 – “the Spirit“ ***** “Jerusalem“

Ezek 8:5 – “Son of man“

Ezek 8:6 – “Son of man“

Ezek 8:8 – “Son of man“

Ezek 8:12 – “Son of man“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 8:14 – “the Lord“

Ezek 8:15 – “son of man“

Ezek 8:16 – “the Lord“

Ezek 8:17 – “son of man“

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Ezekiel 9

The Vision of Slaughter

Ezek 9:3 – “cherub“ ***** “temple“

Ezek 9:4 – “the Lord“ ***** “Jerusalem“

Ezek 9:6 – “the temple“

Ezek 9:7 – “the temple“

Ezek 9:8 – “the Lord“ ***** “Jerusalem“

Ezek 9:9 – “the Lord“

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Ezekiel 10

Vision of God’s Glory Departing from the Temple

Ezek 10:1 – “cherubim“

Ezek 10:2 – “cherubim“

Ezek 10:3 – “cherubim“ ***** “the temple“

Ezek 10:4 – “cherub“ ***** “temple“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 10:5 – “cherubim“

Ezek 10:6 – “cherubim“

Ezek 10:7 – “cherub…cherubim“

Ezek 10:8 – “cherubim“

Ezek 10:9 – “cherubim…cherub“

Ezek 10:14 – “cherub“

Ezek 10:15 – “cherubim“

Ezek 10:16 – “cherubim“

Ezek 10:17 – “cherubim“ ***** “spirit“

Ezek 10:18 – “the temple“ ***** “cherubim“

Ezek 10:19 – “cherubim“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 10:20 – “cherubim“

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Ezekiel 11

Evil Rulers to Be Judged

Ezek 11:1 – “the Spirit“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 11:2 – “son of man“

Ezek 11:4 – “son of man“

Ezek 11:5 – “the Spirit of the Lord“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 11:7 – “the Lord“

Ezek 11:8 – “the Lord“

Ezek 11:10 – “the Lord“

Ezek 11:12 – “the Lord“

Ezek 11:13 – “Lord“

Promise of Restoration

Ezek 11:14 – “the Lord“

Ezek 11:15 – “son of man“ ***** “Jerusalem“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 11:16 – “the Lord“

Ezek 11:17 – “the Lord“

Ezek 11:19 – “spirit“ ***** Ezekiel’s “heart of stone” is like Zechariah’s “hearts of flint” (Zech 7:11-12). ***** See also Ezek 36:26, which speaks in similar terms.

Ezek 11:21 – “the Lord“

Ezek 11:22 – “cherubim“

Ezek 11:23 – “the Lord“

Ezek 11:24 – “the Spirit…the Spirit of God“ ***** “exiles“

Ezek 11:25 – “exiles ***** “the Lord“

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Ezekiel 12

Ezekiel Prepares for Exile

Ezek 12:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 12:2 – “son of man“

Ezek 12:3 – “son of man“

Ezek 12:8 – “the Lord“

Ezek 12:9 – “son of man“

Ezek 12:10 – “the Lord“ ***** “Jerusalem“

Ezek 12:15 – “the Lord“

Ezek 12:16 – “the Lord“

Ezek 12:17 – “the Lord“

Ezek 12:18 – “son of man“

Ezek 12:19 – “the Lord“ ***** “Jerusalem“

Ezek 12:20 – “the Lord“

Ezek 12:21 – “the Lord“

Ezek 12:22 – “son of man“

Ezek 12:23 – “the Lord“

Ezek 12:25 – “the Lord“

Ezek 12:26 – “the Lord“

Ezek 12:27 – “son of man“

Ezek 12:28 – “the Lord“

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Ezekiel 13

False Prophets Condemned

Ezek 13:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 13:2 – “son of man“ ***** “prophet“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 13:3 – “the Lord“ ***** “prophet“ ***** “spirit“

Ezek 13:4 – “prophet“

Ezek 13:5 – “the Lord“

Ezek 13:6 – “the Lord“

Ezek 13:7 – “the Lord“

Ezek 13:9 – “prophet“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 13:13 – “the Lord“

Ezek 13:14 – “the Lord“

Ezek 13:16 – “prophet“ ***** “Jerusalem“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 13:17 – “son of man“ ***** “prophet“

Ezek 13:18 – “the Lord“

Ezek 13:21 – “the Lord“

Ezek 13:23 – “the Lord“

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Ezekiel 14

Idolatrous Elders Condemned

Ezek 14:2 – “the Lord“

Ezek 14:3 – “son of man“

Ezek 14:4 – “the Lord“ ***** “prophet“

Ezek 14:6 – “the Lord“

Ezek 14:7 – “prophet“

Ezek 14:9 – “prophet“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 14:10 – “prophet“

Ezek 14:11 – “the Lord“

The City Will Not Be Spared

Ezek 14:12 – “the Lord“

Ezek 14:13 – “son of man“

Ezek 14:14-20 – “Noah, Daniel, and Job” – The Lord speaks to Jeremiah in similar fashion, invoking the names of “Moses and Samuel” in Jer 15:1. See also “Moses, Aaron, and Samuel” grouped as intercessors in Ps 99:6. Recall also how Abraham interceded for the righteous in Sodom, and how Moses interceded for Israel when God wanted to destroy them and start over with Moses’ descendants. God looks for righteous intercessors. ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 14:21 – “the Lord“ ***** “Jerusalem“

Ezek 14:22 – “Jerusalem“

Ezek 14:23 – “the Lord“

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Ezekiel 15

Jerusalem like a Useless Vine

Ezek 15:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 15:2 – “son of man“

Ezek 15:6 – “the Lord“ ***** “Jerusalem“

Ezek 15:7 – “the Lord“

Ezek 15:8 – “the Lord“

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Ezekiel 16

God’s Grace to Unfaithful Jerusalem

Ezek 16:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 16:2 – “son of man“ ***** “Jerusalem“

Ezek 16:3 – “the Lord“ ***** “Jerusalem“ ***** “the land of the Canaanite“

Ezek 16:8 – “covenant“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 16:14 – “the Lord“

Ezek 16:19 – “the Lord“

Ezek 16:23 – “the Lord“

Ezek 16:30 – “the Lord“

Ezek 16:35 – “the Lord“

Ezek 16:36 – “the Lord“

Ezek 16:43 – “the Lord“

Ezek 16:44-59 – The Lord is speaking of the divided kingdom. He is calling Jerusalem “Sodom,” making a painful point. ***** “the Lord“ ***** “covenant“

The Covenant Remembered

Ezek 16:60 – “covenant“ – And “everlasting covenant” refers to the “new covenant,” about which Jeremiah is more explicit (Jer 31:31-34).

Ezek 16:61 – “covenant“

Ezek 16:62 – “covenant“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 16:63 – “the Lord“

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Ezekiel 17

Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine

Ezek 17:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 17:2 – “son of man“ ***** “riddle“ ***** “parable“

Ezek 17:3 – “the Lord“

Ezek 17:9 – “the Lord“

Zedekiah’s Rebellion

Ezek 17:11 – “the Lord“

Ezek 17:12 – “Jerusalem“

Ezek 17:13 – “covenant“

Ezek 17:14 – “covenant“

Ezek 17:15 – “covenant“

Ezek 17:16 – “the Lord“ ***** “covenant“

Ezek 17:18 – “covenant“

Ezek 17:19 – “the Lord“ ***** “covenant“

Ezek 17:21 – “the Lord“

Ezek 17:22 – “the Lord“

Ezek 17:24 – “the Lord“

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Ezekiel 18

God Deals Justly with Individuals

Ezek 18:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 18:3 – “the Lord“

Ezek 18:4 – “soul“

Ezek 18:9 – “the Lord“

Ezek 18:23 – “the Lord“

Ezek 18:25 – “the Lord“

Ezek 18:29 – “the Lord“

Ezek 18:30 – “the Lord“ ***** “repent“

Ezek 18:31 – “spirit“

Ezek 18:32 – “the Lord“ ***** “repent“

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Ezekiel 19

Lament for the Princes of Israel

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Ezekiel 20

God’s Dealings with Israel Rehearsed

Ezek 20:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:2 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:3 – “son of man“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 20:4 – “son of man“

Ezek 20:5 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:7 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:12 – “sabbath“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 20:13 – “sabbath“

Ezek 20:16 – “sabbath“

Ezek 20:19 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:20 – “sabbath“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 20:21 – “sabbath“

Ezek 20:24 – “sabbath“

Ezek 20:26 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:27 – “son of man“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 20:30 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:31 – “the Lord“

God Will Restore Israel to Her Land

Ezek 20:33 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:34 – Paul may have been drawing on this verse and verse 41 in 2 Cor 6:17.

Ezek 20:36 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:37 – “covenant“

Ezek 20:38 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:39 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:40 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:41 – See note above on verse 34.

Ezek 20:42 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:44 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:45 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:46 – “son of man“ ***** “prophet“

Ezek 20:47 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:48 – “the Lord“

Ezek 20:49 – “Lord“ ***** “parables“

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Ezekiel 21

Parable of the Sword of the Lord

Ezek 21:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 21:2 – “son of man“ ***** “Jerusalem“ ***** “prophesy“

Ezek 21:3 – “the Lord“

Ezek 21:5 – “the Lord“

Ezek 21:6 – “son of man

Ezek 21:7 – “the Lord“

Ezek 21:8 – “the Lord“

Ezek 21:9 – “son of man“ ***** “prophesy“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 21:12 – “son of man“

Ezek 21:13 – “the Lord“

Ezek 21:14 – “son of man“ ***** “prophesy“

Ezek 21:17 – “the Lord“

The Instrument of God’s Judgment

Ezek 21:18 – “the Lord“

Ezek 21:19 – “son of man“

Ezek 21:20 – “Jerusalem“

Ezek 21:22 – “Jerusalem“

Ezek 21:24 – “the Lord“

Ezek 21:26 – “the Lord“

Ezek 21:27 – #FJOT Re: “until He comes whose right it is,” see Gen 49:10 including the NASB footnote, as well as the accompanying BSN note. Consider also the reference below to “that One” that “comes.”

John 4:25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.”
John 4:26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

Ezek 21:28 – “son of man“ ***** “prophesy“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 21:32 – “the Lord“

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Ezekiel 22

The Sins of Israel

Ezek 22:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 22:2 – “son of man“

Ezek 22:3 – “the Lord“

Ezek 22:8 – “sabbaths“

Ezek 22:12 – “the Lord“

Ezek 22:14 – “the Lord“

Ezek 22:16 – “the Lord“

Ezek 22:17 – “the Lord“

Ezek 22:18 – “son of man“

Ezek 22:19 – “the Lord“ ***** “Jerusalem“

Ezek 22:22 – “the Lord“

Ezek 22:23 – “the Lord“

Ezek 22:24 – “son of man“

Ezek 22:25 – “prophets“

Ezek 22:26 – “priests“ ***** “law“ ***** “sabbaths“

Ezek 22:28 – “prophets“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 22:30 – This is why God had to come Himself to save us…because none of us was up for the task.

Ezek 22:31 – “the Lord“

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Ezekiel 23

Oholah and Oholibah’s Sin and Its Consequences

See Jer 3:6-10 for a briefer and less graphic portrayal of two faithless sisters.

Ezek 23:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 23:2 – “son of man“

Ezek 23:3 – The Hebrew words “Oholah” and “Oholibah” both come from the Hebrew word for “tent” – a common dwelling place for people of that time and place, but a temporary one. People were designed to be a dwelling place for God – sin made this almost impossible, but the descendants of Abraham were chosen to demonstrate how it could be done. In this chapter, the Lord is trying to convey to them what faithless wives they were being. “Samaria and Jerusalem” refer, of course, to the divided kingdom that Israel had become.

Ezek 23:11 – Recall that the northern kingdom (Samaria, or “Oholah”) fell to Assyria in 722 BC while the southern kingdom (Judah, or “Oholibah”) did not fall until 586 BC (Key Dates for Ancient Israel). God therefore expected “Oholibah” to learn from “Oholah’s” bad example – yet “Oholibah” did even worse!

Ezek 23:32 – “the Lord“

Ezek 23:34 – “the Lord“

Ezek 23:35 – “the Lord“

Ezek 23:36 – “the Lord“ ***** “son of man“

Ezek 23:38 – “sabbaths“

Ezek 23:40 – “painted your eyes” – This is the kind of thing the northern kingdom’s Jezebel did (2 Kings 9:30). Jeremiah used the expression as a metaphor for the southern kingdom’s behavior just as Ezekiel is doing.

Ezek 23:46 – “the Lord“

Ezek 23:49 – “the Lord“

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Ezekiel 24

Parable of the Boiling Pot

Ezek 24:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 24:2 – “son of man“ ***** “Jerusalem“

Ezek 24:3 – “parable“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 24:6 – “the Lord“

Ezek 24:9 – “the Lord“

Ezek 24:14 – “the Lord“

Death of Ezekiel’s Wife Is a Sign

Ezek 24:15 – “the Lord“

Ezek 24:16 – “son of man“

Ezek 24:20 – “the Lord“

Ezek 24:21 – “the Lord“ ***** “soul“

Ezek 24:24 – “the Lord“

Ezek 24:25 – “son of man“

Ezek 24:27 – “the Lord“

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The book of Ezekiel to this point has been the Lord’s indictment of Judah and Jerusalem through His prophet. The next eight chapters (Ezek 25-32) consist of His indictments against seven surrounding nations: Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt.

An interlude or digression focused on the nations that surrounded God’s chosen nation can also be found in the book of Jeremiah – Jer 46-51 (six chapters). See the notes there (between Jer 45 and Jer 46) as they apply here, too.

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Ezekiel 25

Judgment on Gentile Nations—Ammon

Moab

Edom

Philistia

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Ezekiel 26

Judgment on Tyre

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Ezekiel 27

Lament over Tyre

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Ezekiel 28

Tyre’s King Overthrown

Judgment of Sidon

Israel Regathered

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Ezekiel 29

Judgment of Egypt

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Ezekiel 30

Lament over Egypt

Victory for Babylon

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Ezekiel 31

Pharaoh Warned of Assyria’s Fate

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Ezekiel 32

Lament over Pharaoh and Egypt

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The previous eight chapters – Ezek 25-32 – consist of prophecies that Ezekiel gave about the nations surrounding Israel. For more explanation, see the note above between Ezek 24 and Ezek 25.

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Ezekiel 33

The Watchman’s Duty

This chapter is similar to Ezek 3, which also uses the imagery of a watchman looking out for the welfare of his fellow citizens. It also echoes aspects of Ezek 18.

Ezek 33:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 33:2 – “son of man“

Ezek 33:7 – “son of man“

Ezek 33:10 – “son of man“

Ezek 33:11 – “the Lord“

Ezek 33:12 – “son of man“

Ezek 33:17 – “the Lord“

Ezek 33:20 – “the Lord“

Word of Jerusalem’s Capture

Ezek 33:21 – “exile“ ***** “Jerusalem“ ***** This verse marks the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. This critical date for ancient Israel is described more fully in Jer 39 and Jer 52; it is similarly described in 2 Kings 25 and 2 Chronicles 36.

Ezek 33:22 – “the Lord“

Ezek 33:23 – “the Lord“

Ezek 33:24 – “son of man“

Ezek 33:25 – “son of man“

Ezek 33:27 – “the Lord“

Ezek 33:29 – “the Lord“

Ezek 33:30-33 – The dynamic that the Lord describes to Ezekiel in this passage -listening with pleasure but not acting on what’s heard – is one all too familiar to the prophets. John the Baptist and Jesus both experienced it.

Mark 6:20 …Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him.

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Mark 12:37 “David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; so in what sense is He his son?” And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him.

Such is the manner of people who enjoy listening to the word of God but do not enjoy doing it. And then there is the lightning speed with which such listeners’ approval can turn to disapproval.

Luke 4:21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Luke 4:22 And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
Luke 4:23 And He said to them, “No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’”
Luke 4:24 And He said, “Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown.
Luke 4:25 “But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land;
Luke 4:26 and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
Luke 4:27 “And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
Luke 4:28 And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things;
Luke 4:29 and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff.
Luke 4:30 But passing through their midst, He went His way.

Thus what was written by and for Ezekiel in this passage “goes with the territory” of speaking for God. Let us take heed to this warning in our PDT’s, FDT’s, and ODT’s.

Ezek 33:30 – “son of man“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 33:33 – “prophet“

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Ezekiel 34

This chapter prophesies of New Testament times. The first half of the chapter – “Prophecy against the Shepherds of Israel” – is an indictment of the Pharisees and Sadducees in the Gospels. The second half – “The Restoration of Israel” – describes the work of the apostles in starting churches and appointing elders to help in the shepherding that we read about in Acts through Revelation. Jesus is featured as the centerpiece of the restoration in verses 23 and 24.

Prophecy against the Shepherds of Israel

Ezek 34:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 34:2 – “son of man“ ***** “prophesy“

Ezek 34:7 – “the Lord“

Ezek 34:8 – “the Lord“

Ezek 34:9 – “the Lord“

Ezek 34:10 – “the Lord“

The Restoration of Israel

Ezek 34:11 – “the Lord“

Ezek 34:15 – “the Lord“

Ezek 34:17 – “the Lord“

Ezek 34:20 – “the Lord“

Ezek 34:23-24 – “the Lord“ ***** #FJOT Jesus is the shepherd and prince of this flock.

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

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Acts 3:14 “But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
Acts 3:15 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.

See also Ezek 37:24-25 below for a similar #FJOT.

Ezek 34:25 – “covenant“

Ezek 34:27 – “the Lord“

Ezek 34:30 – “the Lord“

Ezek 34:31 – “the Lord“

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Ezekiel 35

Mount Seir (Edom) is one of the seven nations Ezekiel prophesied about in that eight-chapter section of the book that came earlier (Ezek 25-32 – see note between Ezek 24 and Ezek 25). Those prophecies dealt primarily with those nations in the time of Jerusalem’s fall (that is, the 6th century BC). This prophecy is set in the context of the restoration of Israel prophesied in the previous chapter, which was fulfilled in New Testament times. It is of the same nature as the word regarding Edom that begins Malachi (see BSN notes there).

The Jacob-Esau paradigm is like the Abel-Cain paradigm. It is the enmity between the godless and the godly that is seen over and over in the Bible. It runs through all the prophets even to all the followers of Jesus.

Matt 5:10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
Matt 5:12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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2 Tim 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

The way this paradigm worked from Acts to Revelation was that the church, which was comprised of Jews and Gentile believers in Messiah, was opposed by Jewish and Gentile unbelievers. These forces work against each other with rising intensity until the Second Coming, which occurred late in the 1st century AD, not too many years after all the New Testament texts were written. The Second Coming of Christ marked the end of the last days of the biblical age and the beginning of this eternal age in which we now live and always will live.

For these reasons, Ezek 35 should be read as a continuation of Ezek 34. (And then there’s always the chapter and verse division issue to consider, too.) One other point of linkage is the common focus on “the mountains of Israel” in Ezek 35:12 and Ezek 36:1. See note below on the latter.

Prophecy against Mount Seir

Ezek 35:1 – “the Lord“

Ezek 35:2 – “son of man“ ***** “Mount Seir“ ***** “prophesy“

Ezek 35:3 – “the Lord“ ***** “Mount Seir“

Ezek 35:4 – “the Lord“

Ezek 35:6 – “the Lord“

Ezek 35:7 – “Mount Seir“

Ezek 35:9 – “the Lord“

Ezek 35:10 – “the Lord“

Ezek 35:11 – “the Lord“

Ezek 35:12 – “the Lord“ ***** See the note below on Ezek 36:1 regarding “the mountains of Israel” in this verse.

Ezek 35:14 – “the Lord“

Ezek 35:15 – “Mount Seir…Edom“ ***** “the Lord“

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Ezekiel 36

The Mountains of Israel to Be Blessed

Ezek 36:1 – “son of man“ ***** “prophesy“ ***** “the Lord“ ***** Note how the Lord addressing “the mountains of Israel” in this verse is a direct response to how the Edomites had been speaking against “the mountains of Israel” in the previous chapter (Ezek 35:12). This focus on “the mountains of Israel” continues throughout the first part of this chapter – at least through verse 12.

Ezek 36:2 – “the Lord“

Ezek 36:3 – “the Lord“

Ezek 36:4 – “the Lord“

Ezek 36:5 – “the Lord“ ***** “Edom“

Ezek 36:6 – “prophesy“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 36:7 – “the Lord“

Ezek 36:11 – “the Lord“

Ezek 36:13 – “the Lord“

Ezek 36:14 – “the Lord“

Ezek 36:15 – “the Lord“

Ezek 36:16 – “the Lord“

Ezek 36:17 – “son of man“

Ezek 36:20 – “son of man“

Israel to Be Renewed for His Name’s Sake

Ezek 36:22 – “son of man“

Ezek 36:23 – “son of man“

Ezek 36:26 – Ezekiel’s “heart of stone” is like Zechariah’s “hearts of flint” (Zech 7:11-12). ***** See also Ezek 11:19, which speaks similarly to this verse.

Ezek 36:27 – “My Spirit“ is the Holy Spirit, the inheritance of every believer in Jesus.

Ezek 36:31 – Boy, I can sure relate to this verse – all too well.

Ezek 36:32 – “the Lord“

Ezek 36:33 – “the Lord“

Ezek 36:35 – “the garden of Eden” – In the beginning, everything was “good.” The messianic plan was all about “restoring” that goodness.

Gen 1:31 God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Gen 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts.

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Acts 3:19 “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
Acts 3:20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you,
Acts 3:21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.

Ezek 36:36 – “the Lord“

Ezek 36:37 – “the Lord“

Ezek 36:38 – “Jerusalem” ***** “her appointed feasts“ *****“the Lord“

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Ezekiel 37

This chapter continues the theme of restoring Israel – a prophetic arc that would fulfilled in New Testament times.

Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones

Ezek 37:1 – “the Lord“ ***** “the Spirit of the Lord“ is the Holy Spirit.

Ezek 37:3 – “son of man“ ***** “Lord“

Ezek 37:4 – “prophesy“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 37:5 – “the Lord“

Ezek 37:6 – “the Lord“

Ezek 37:7 – “prophesy“

Ezek 37:9 – “prophesy“ ***** “son of man“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 37:10 – “prophesy“

The Vision Explained

Ezek 37:11 – “son of man“

Ezek 37:12 – “prophesy“ ***** “the Lord“

Ezek 37:13 – “the Lord“

Ezek 37:14 – “My Spirit“ is the Holy Spirit, the inheritance of every believer in Jesus. ***** “the Lord“

Reunion of Judah and Israel

New Testament times marked the end of the divided kingdom. It had been thought that the citizens of the northern kingdom had been lost in 722 BC – as in “The Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, ” but God brought them all back together through Messiah.

Ezek 37:15 – “the Lord“

Ezek 37:16 – “son of man“

Ezek 37:19 – “the Lord“

Ezek 37:21 – “the Lord“

Ezek 37:22 – #FJOT – Who could be the “one king” but Jesus?

The Davidic Kingdom

Ezek 37:24-25 – #FJOT – Jesus is this “king” and this “prince.” We see Him regarded as such in the New Testament.

Acts 17:6 When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also;
Acts 17:7 and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”

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Acts 5:31 “He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Ezek 37:26 – “covenant“ ***** The “everlasting covenant” is the “new covenant” that Jesus instituted.

Luke 22:20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.

Ezek 37:27 – “and I will be their God, and they will be My people” – See how the apostle Paul declares the New Testament church to be the fulfillment of Ezek 38:27 and all similar verses in the Old Testament.

2 Cor 6:16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
“I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

Ezek 37:28 – “the Lord“

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The next two chapters – Ezek 38-39 – are prophecies against Israel’s enemies. There were eight chapters of such prophecies against seven of Israel’s enemies in Ezek 25-32. There was also such a prophecy against a single nation in Ezek 35. What all these chapters have in common is that they are prophecies against the enemies of Israel; what distinguishes them is the timing and magnitude of their defeats.

The defeats of Israel’s enemies in Ezek 25-32 were largely fulfilled in temporal events. By contrast, the defeats of Israel’s enemies in Ezek 35 and in Ezek 38-39 are eternal in nature. That’s because these defeats are tied to the Second Coming…and Jesus has already come again.

There is one other distinction to be made. Unlike the other enemies of Israel mentioned in Ezek 25-32 and 35, the enemy nations named in Ezek 38-39 are harder to identify. The names Gog and Magog are nowhere else mentioned together except here in Ezek 38-39 and Rev 20. As for the reference in Revelation, this is further indication that these prophecies have been fulfilled. Ezek 38-39 can rightly be called “the final battle” for Israel.

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Ezekiel 38

Prophecy about Gog and Future Invasion of Israel

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Ezekiel 39

Prophecy against Gog—Invaders Destroyed

Israel Restored

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The two preceding chapters should be viewed as a single unit, describing “the final battle.” For explanation, see the notes above between Ezek 37 and Ezek 38. Remember also the artificial nature of chapter and verse divisions.

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Ezekiel’s Temple

The remainder of the book of Ezekiel is given to Ezekiel’s description of visions God gave him of a temple, which are like the visions John had of the heavenly Jerusalem coming down to earth in the book of Revelation.

Ezekiel received this vision in the 25th year of the Babylonian Exile, which meant that it would be another 45 years before Ezra, Nehemiah, and others returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Even though the Lord told Ezekiel, “Declare to the house of Israel all that you see” (Ezek 40:4), the returning exiles did not act as if they thought this was the blueprint they were supposed to follow. It seems more likely that Ezekiel’s Temple and John’s Jerusalem were visions intended to convey spiritual realities, not physical building plans. I look forward to writing more about it when I understand it well enough to pass along that seems helpful.

Ezekiel 40

Vision of the Man with a Measuring Rod

Measurements Relating to the Temple

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Ezekiel 41

The Inner Temple

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Ezekiel 42

Chambers of the Temple

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Ezekiel 43

Vision of the Glory of God Filling the Temple

The Altar of Sacrifice

The Offerings

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Ezekiel 44

Gate for the Prince

Ordinances for the Levites

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Ezekiel 45

The Lord’s Portion of the Land

Portion for the Prince

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Ezekiel 46

The Prince’s Offerings

The Boiling Places

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Ezekiel 47

Water from the Temple

Boundaries and Division of the Land

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Ezekiel 48

Division of the Land

Portion for the Priests