Year 2, Week 17, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 17, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Ezekiel 1-2.

Today’s reading begins the Book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel 1 introduces us to Ezekiel: “In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the Chebar canal, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. On the fifth day of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin), the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar canal, and the hand of the LORD was upon him there” (Ezekiel 1:1-3). Ezekiel was about thirty and he was a part of a group of Israelites who had been removed from Jerusalem about eleven years before its final destruction in 586 BC. In 597 BC, Nebuchadnezzar deported some of the Israelites taking them to Babylon. Included in this group of deportees is King Johoiachin, as his uncle, Zedekiah, is installed by the Babylonians as the king over Judah. While Jeremiah remained in Jerusalem during this transition, Ezekiel was taking into exile. Sometime in about 593 BC, Ezekiel received the vision that he recorded in Ezekiel 1 beginning his prophet ministry spanning twenty-two years. Ezekiel 2 specifies the details of the work that the LORD called him to do: “And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house. But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe” (Ezekiel 2:7-10).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the immensity of the vision that Ezekiel saw and the significance that his vision plays in the emphasis of the book: “And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking” (Ezekiel 1:26-28). Ezekiel is witnessing the glory of the Lord in his vision. This glorious vision communicates that God alone is God, He is sovereign above all, and that He is holy and just; and yet He is the LORD who is present among in order to bless his people. The glory of the Lord will be an important theme running through the Book of Ezekiel: the prophet will observe the glory of the Lord departing from the temple (Ezekiel 10), and he witnesses the glory of the Lord returning (Ezekiel 43).

The Book of Ezekiel is composed of the prophet’s messages: “And he said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day” (Ezekiel 2:1-3). These messages, which structure the Book, are grouped around four segments. First, Ezekiel 1-24 is composed primarily of prophecies about impending judgment on the people of Judah for their persistent disobedience to the LORD. Second, Ezekiel 25-32 is composed of prophecies about judgment against seven nations surrounding Israel and Judah. Third, Ezekiel 33-39 is composed of prophecies about the judgment upon but also the future restoration of Judah. And fourth, Ezekiel 40-48 is composed of Ezekiel’s vision about the new temple and new land. Ezekiel’s prophetic messages to the exiles in Babylon was intended to communicate impending judgment on the people of Judah and their leaders for disobedience to the Lord but also to communicate the promise of future restoration for the people of God.

A huge theme and runs through the messages delivered by Ezekiel is the truth concerning the LORD’s sovereignty over all nations and peoples, including Judah and Israel. During a time of great geopolitical upheaval, and complicated by Judah’s foolish policies and alliances, the prophet underscores that God is in control, even when people and nations are out of control. A declaration that reoccurs in the Book of Ezekiel is the simple but important statement included at least sixty-five times: “And they shall know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 5:13; see also 6:7,10; 25:5,11,14; 26:6; 28:23; 29:6). The driving force behind the LORD’s judgment upon His people and the nations, but also the restoration of His people and their future, is the desire and intention of the LORD being known and acknowledged as sovereign over all. The LORD’s glorious character and purposes will be vindicated as He deals with His people.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe