Ezekiel at a glance + the Blueprint

EZEKIEL at a glance + The Blueprints

Author: Ezekiel, son of Buzi, a Zadokite priest.

When Written: Roughly 571 BC.

Author’s Audience: The Jews in exile in Babylon.

Its Purpose: To announce God’s judgment on Israel and other nations and to foretell the eventual salvation of His people. 

 

            “The book of Ezekiel chronicles the prophet’s life and ministry. Beginning with his call as a prophet and commissioning as a ‘watchman for Israel’ (Ezekiel 1-3).” [1]

Ezekiel was a younger contemporary of Jeremiah. While Jeremiah ministered to the people still in Judah, Ezekiel prophesied to those already exiled in Babylonia. He was taken there in 597 BC.

            God gives us all the opportunity to choose whether to obey Him or not.  “Ezekiel was a man who chose to obey God. Although he was a priest (Ezekiel 1:3) he served as a Jewish ‘street preacher’ in Babylon for 22 years, telling everyone about God’s judgment and salvation, and calling them to repent and obey.” [1]

 

The Blueprint

 

A. Messages of Doom _{(Ezekiel 1:1 - 24:27)}

            

            1)  Ezekiel’s Call

            2)  Visions of Sin & Judgment

            3)  Punishment is certain

 

B. Messages Against Foreign Nations _{(Ezekiel 25:1 - 32:32)}

 

C.  Messages of Hope _{(Ezekiel 33:1 - 48:35)}

 

                  1)  Restoring the People of God

            2)  Restoring the Worship of God

            

            The Jewish people stubbornly did not believe judgment was coming to them. They had turned from their God and while warned by Jeremiah & Ezekiel, they turned a deaf ear to the warnings. In addition to warning the people of God, Ezekiel also condemned the sinful actions of 7 surrounding nations. Seeing Jerusalem fall, these nations said God must be too weak to protect Israel, not knowing that God allowed the Jews to be defeated in order to punish them for their sins. God is not mocked; therefore, these pagan nations would suffer a similar fate, thus showing them that Almighty God is all-powerful.

            After Jerusalem’s fall, Ezekiel delivered messages of hope and restoration for the people. The nation of Israel had been defiled, therefore, Jerusalem had to be cleansed through 70 years of captivity. 

            Up next are the Mega-Themes from Ezekiel. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

[1] P.1691 from the Life Application Study Bible.