Ezekiel

“The Prophetic Watchman of Israel”

The Prophetic Mission.

I. The Prophetic Mission

A. The Time of the Son of Man. 1:1-3

1. The Son of Man

a. Used 90 times according to McGuiggan's count.

b. The 30th year of HIs life, 1:1.

(1) This is the same time Jesus began His ministry. Lk. 3:23

(2) The time that Priests began their ministry. Num.4:3, 47.

2. Priest without a Temple to serve. 1:3, son of Buzi, married Ezek. and in 24:18 she dies.

3. Exile

a. First exile__605 B.C. ___3rd year of Jehoiakim.

Dan. 1:1 or 1st year of Nebuchadnezzar. 2nd Kings 24:12-16.

b. Second Exile 597 B.C.__1st year of Jehoiachin. 2nd Chronicles 36:9-10; 8th year of Nebuchadnezzar. 2nd Kings 24:12-16.

c. 5th year of the exile of Jehoichin 592 B.C. The people think they will be going back soon, that Jerusalem will stand. They are impenitent even while being punished. (see 2:1ff).

d. Jeremiah is preaching in Jerusalem; Daniel in Babylon; Ezekiel is called to preach to the exiles on the River Bank; the captivity is only beginning and their hopes for a speedy return are empty.

4. Chebar River__ a channel that connected the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

B. The Divine Glory___1:4-28

1. The storm cloud of God's wrath. 1:4

2. The cherubim. Ezekiel 10:2-3, etc. 1:5-15

3. The chariot of God___1st Chronicles 28:18; Psalm 18:10.

4. Stand between the transgressor and the tree of life in Gen. 3:24.

5. Stand between the sinful priests and the most holy place in Ex. 36:35 (woven in the veil).

6. Protect the holy presence of God in the ark of the covenant. Ex. 37:6ff.

7. The closest beings to God in Revelation 4:16ff; they declare His holiness.

Lion___courage, king of the wild beast.

Bull___strength, king of the domestic animals

Eagle___swiftness, king of the air

Man___intelligent, king of all creatures

8. The wheels with eyes; 4 of them forming chariot wheels. Jim calls it the war wagon.

9. The expanse or platform above them held the throne and on it one like a man in glorified appearance. The same figure of Daniel 10 and Revelation 1___The glory of God (external glory).