Ezekiel uses visions, prophecies, parables, signs and symbols to proclaim and dramatize the message of god to his exiled people. According to the book itself, it records six visions of the prophet ezekiel, exiled in babylon, during the 22 years from 593 to 571 bc, although it is the product of a long and complex history and does not necessarily preserve the very. Abraham david john, world tamil christian fellowship, london. The prophet wastes no time dropping his readers right into the thick of the life and times of judah immediately following the fall of jerusalem. Ezekiels call should dispel any notion that calls from god are generally calls away from secular professions and into church ministry. He was of the great company of captives carried to babylon, with the young king jehoiachin, by nebuchadnezzar, b. The prophet ezekiel is one of four major prophets along with isaiah, jeremiah, and daniel in hebrew scripture, our old testament of the bible. He was among the jews exiled to babylon by nebuchadnezzar in 597 b. For example, he was instructed to make a model of the city of jerusalem under siege and famine, and to lie on his side for many days to symbolize the punishment of israel, judah and the city for their years of sinful behavior ezekiel 4. Dec 01, 2016 what and how was the prophetic ministry in the old testament, message on ezekiel by bro. Judgment against the apostates among the covenant people extended to the ministry of jesus as well. Besides clarity of structure, the book of ezekiel reveals symmetry. Well, we know from his book that daniel was acquainted with the prophecies of. The book begins with the initial date of his divine calling.
Prophetic ministry in jeremiah and ezekiel contributions to biblical exegesis theology. In addition, modern scholarship, using archaeology babylonian annals on cuneiform tablets and astronomy accurate dating of eclipses referred to in ancient archives, provides precise modern calendar. The opening vision during which ezekiel is called to the prophetic ministry centers on the visible presence of the throne of god. The structure and synthesis of the book of ezekiel. Ezekiel was from a priestly line, and much of his ministry centered on issues. Ezekiel overview james burton coffman commentaries on the bible. We sincerely hope that the riches of christ could be broadly sown throughout the earth through this channel for the benefit of all the lords children. Ezekiels priestly lineage shines through in his prophetic ministry. After the destruction of jerusalem, ezekiel s prophecies speak of hope for the future. We finish lamentations today and begin ezekiel, so lets take a look at this prophet and his book. This book records the messages and ministry of ezekiel, prophet and priest and associate of daniel who was carried from jerusalem to babylon as a young man, there to serve as the watchman on the wall religious leader to the whole house of israel, including those jews still living in the holy city and to the multitudes of his people already in babylon.
Ezekiels commissioning, the vision of the scroll, the prophet as watchman, and the first symbolic act part ii. This study makes a contribution to the understanding of old testament prophetic ministry by comparing selected texts from jeremiah and ezekiel relating to the call of each prophet. Ezekiel was a priest in judah who in the year 597 bc, at the apparent age of 25, was taken into exile along with king jehoiachin and about 10,000 other upper class judeans see 2 ki 24. Since the book of ezekiel contains more dates than any other ot prophetic. Most of ezekiel, however, is prose, perhaps due to his priestly background. Ezekiel and work bible commentary theology of work. Since the book of ezekiel contains more dates than any other ot prophetic book, its prophecies can be dated with considerable precision.
The prophetic books are divided into categories of major and minor prophets. Jan, 2019 when christian scholars refer to the prophetic books of the bible, they are talking primarily about the old testament scriptures written by the prophets. Ezekiel s prophetic ministry lasted from 593 bc to 571 bc see ez 29. Bible commentaries coffmans commentaries on the bible. Ezekiel s thirtieth year is given as five years after the exile of judahs king jehoiachin by the babylonians. The book of ezekiel, also called the prophecy of ezechiel, one of the major. In the midst of confusing and painful circumstances, god offers startling prophetic messages to reset the peoples. Old testament survey unit 9 quiz 2 flashcards quizlet. Overview of the book of ezekiel third millennium ministries. Ezekiels last discourse was dated in the twentyseventh year of jehoiachins exile57170 b. The book of ezekiel begins with a bang as the prophet reveals the heavens opening to unveil a vision of god. The book of ezekiel he will be strengthened of god. Ezekiel witnessed marvelous things in his prophetic visions even as he lived through terrible things on earth. These labels do not refer to the importance of the prophets, but rather, to the length of the books authored by them.
After the fall of jerusalem ezekiel was recommissioned to show the necessity and inevitability of judahs restoration to fellowship by god chaps. Read the prophecies of ezekiel concerning the restoration of israel from christian radio ministry watchman radio hour with alex dodson. Thousands of years ago, ezekiel recorded warnings and promises of god that are intended for our time, now. Symbolic acts relating to the siege of jerusalem previous ezekiel lessons list next. Ezekiel never mentions the release of jehoiachin in 560 b. Book of ezekiel read, study bible verses online bible study tools. To many readers the book of ezekiel is a hopeless riddle. Ezekiel s call to a prophetic ministry chapters 23. What is known of ezekiel is derived solely from the book that bears his name. Ezekiel in the picture study bible the book of ezekiel. The priest ezekiel was the first prophet to be called by the lord outside of israel during the babylonian captivity. Ezekiel began his ministry five years after he was taken captive at about the. According to the book itself, it records six visions of the prophet ezekiel, exiled in babylon, during the 22 years from 593 to 571 bc, although it is the product of a long and complex history and does not necessarily preserve the very words of the prophet. The new testament says the following about the prophetic ministry of jesus.
Prophetic ministry in jeremiah and ezekiel contributions to. The book of ezekiel is narrative history, prophetic and apocalyptic in genre and even contains parables. Studies in kingship and eschatology in the book of ezekiel. Ezekiel s call should dispel any notion that calls from god are generally calls away from secular professions and into church ministry. Jesus, in his prophetic ministry, fulfilled the role of a prophet. In judaism, christianity, and islam, ezekiel is acknowledged as a hebrew prophet.
This simply means human and is meant to contrast ezekiel to god. Best commentaries and books on ezekiel logos bible software. The book s smooth flow, consistent autobiographical style, and other factors suggest that text of ezekiel came from one hand. Ezekiel is the central protagonist of the book of ezekiel in the hebrew bible. In no other book is this pattern clearer than in ezekiel see outline. Ezekiel s commissioning, the vision of the scroll, the prophet as watchman, and the first symbolic act part ii. Prophetic ministry in jeremiah and ezekiel contributions to biblical exegesis theology contributions to biblical exegesis and theology k. For the first seven years of his ministry 593586 b. The book of ezekiel, one of the major prophetical books of the old testament. Prophetic ministry in jeremiah and ezekiel book, 2012.
His name means strengthened by god, which, indeed, he was for the prophetic ministry to which god called him 3. The book of ezekiel, written by the prophetpriest ezekiel, who lived both in jerusalem prior to the babylonian ezekiel s ministry was conducted in jerusalem and babylon in the first three decades of the 6th century bc. Ezekiels entire prophetic ministry centered around the small exiled community at telabib, a people uprooted from their homes and livelihoods living out their days. Prophetic ministry in jeremiah and ezekiel by km rochester. Kathleen m rochester this study makes a contribution to the understanding of old testament prophetic ministry by comparing selected texts from jeremiah and ezekiel relating to the call of each prophet, the images of. The book of ezekiel is the third of the latter prophets in the tanakh and one of the major prophetic books in the old testament, following isaiah and jeremiah. Among the exiles in babylon, ezekiel shows that israel. Prophetic operations by jonas clark, basic training for the prophetic ministry. Verse 2 explains that it was the fifth of the month in the fifth year of king jehoiachins exile which would be 593 bc because jehoiachin was taken. Ezekiel, prophetpriest of ancient israel and the subject and in part the author of an old testament book that bears his name. In judaism and christianity, he is also viewed as the 6thcentury bce author of the book of ezekiel, which reveals prophecies regarding the destruction of.
This study makes a contribution to the understanding of old testament prophetic ministry by comparing selected texts from jeremiah and ezekiel relating to the call of each prophet, the images of assayer, potter and watchman, their relationships with the temple and their assessments of deviant prophets. Ezekiel was called to his prophetic ministry in the fifth year of the exile of king jehoiachin59392 b. In one place the mountains of israel receive a prophetic rebuke, but in another they are consoled. Let us begin, as the book of ezekiel does, with gods call to ezekiel to become a prophet. Intro to ezekiel biblica the international bible society. If this is a reference to ezekiel s age at the time, he was born around 622 bce, about the time of josiahs reforms, and shortly after the call of jeremiah to a prophetic ministry around 626 bce. In ezekiel s call, he is referred to as son of man, which is a phrase used throughout the book. The prophecies of ezekiel concerning the restoration of.
The unifying feature in the book of ezekiel is the glory of the lord. Prophetic ministry and jeremiah and ezekiel, written by kathleen m. Along with ezekiel s declaration of judgment to israel came a message of hope in a future restoration, though the message was veiled by mysterious symbols and events that still generate wonder and debate today. In the new testament, it takes on a messianic tone under the influence of daniel 7. His name means strengthened by god, which, indeed, he was for the propheti. Ezekiel s ministry began with condemnation and judgment of the nation judah. The first series of seven dates in the book of ezekiel relate to major events in ezekiel s preaching ministry. Ezekiels prophetic ministry likewise included many performances where he acted out what was to come. The book of ezekiel takes its title from the priest of the same name, son to a man named buzi. Title the book has always been named for its author, ezekiel 1. Ezekiel overview james burton coffman commentaries on. Ezekiel is unique among the prophetic books for the number of prophecies introduced by dates.
In what ways did jesus fulfill the prophetic ministry. Christs prophetic ministry was anticipated as ezekiel announced that god would destroy jerusalem and send its population into exile because of continued unbelief. Ezekiel yechezkel was a prophet who lived in babylonia at the time of the destruction of the first temple. Ezekiel god will strengthen, or prevail was, like jeremiah, a priest as well as a prophet. It is a good practice to meditate on gods promises for every new year. Ezekiel s priestly lineage shines through in his prophetic ministry. Dyer, notes on the book of ezekiel, unpublished class notes in 304 preexlic and exilic prophets, dallas theological seminary, fall 1993, 4. Prophetic books are usually largely poetic, the prophets apparently having spoken in imaginative and rhythmic styles. Ezekiel ezekiel s name means god will strengthen, and that is a fitting name for a prophet who was called to minister to impudent and stiffhearted people eze. Unlike other prophetic books, ezekiel unfolds in basic chronological order. Prophetic ministry in jeremiah and ezekiel contributions to biblical. Ezekiel, prophet priest of ancient israel and the subject and in part the author of an old testament book that bears his name. Living stream ministry is pleased to provide the complete text of many of its ministry publications.
Watch our overview video on the first part of the book of ezekiel, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. However, if we take the time to study it, we will discover that despite the strangeness of the man and his utterances this is the most clearly organized of the major prophetic books. Ezekiel began his prophetic ministry at age 30 eze. Ezekiels commissioning, the vision of the scroll, the prophet as watchman. To build a generation of soldiers free from spiritual diseases for god to raise a generation of christians, living a balanced. Ezekiel overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. According to dates given in the text, ezekiel received his prophetic call in the fifth year of the first deportation to babylonia 592 bc and was active until about 570 bc. Online publications from living stream ministry, books by. In contrast, the book of ezekiel depicts a prophet, living in exile, who is obsessed with cultic cleansing.
Jesus spoke gods words the words of jesus were prophetic they spoke forth gods word. The three major prophets isaiah, jeremiah, ezekiel and zephaniah all have the same basic sequence of messages. This overwhelming presentation is to show the theocentricity of the book. Jul 03, 2016 watch our overview video on the first part of the book of ezekiel, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Ezekiel, jeremiah, and daniel were contemporaries calling the people of israel to repentance and return to right relationship with god. Book of ezekiel overview insight for living ministries. The bible handbook by joseph angus makes this comment in its introduction to the book of ezekiel. Overview of the book of ezekiel reformed answers to. The book the theme of ezekiel is the glory of the lord. Ezekiel s prophetic vision of the future temple schmitt, john w.
Prophet ezekiah francis i bring you new year blessings and greetings from the throne room of god. Prophetic ministry in jeremiah and ezekiel contributions. They spoke forth the word of god as well as foretold the future. Israels sin and impending judgment, uttered before the final captivity ezekiel 124. Ezekiel wanted to help the people learn from their failures. Ezekiel ezekiels name means god will strengthen, and that is a fitting name for a prophet who was called to minister to impudent and stiffhearted people eze. Ezekiel started his prophetic ministry in the 5th year of the captivity chap. The other three major prophets have similar themes. Ezekiel intro to ezekiel biblica the international bible society. Biographical information about ezekiel can only be found in the book itself, but there is more provided here than is usual among the prophetic writings. Among his more famous prophecies, which were compiled in the book of ezekiel, are his visions of the divine chariot, the valley of the dry bones and the third temple.