The Fellowship Residency Program has introduced me to the idea of reading commentaries alongside scripture. By August of 2019, I will have read through the entire Bible as well as The King in His Beauty, our selected commentary. As I am reading, I am writing a little bit about each of the books of the Bible so you and I can have a more thorough understanding of the scriptures. I invite you to follow along with me as we learn the Bible in its entirety from Genesis to Revelation. This summary does NOT encompass the entire book, but it is a good place to start. I encourage you to read for yourself and begin your own Biblical journal along the way. To read any of my other Residency related posts, click here.
Introduction & Ezekiel’s Call – The theme of judgment and salvation are key in Ezekiel just as they were in Jeremiah. The timeline begins by talking to the exiles and extends until at least 571 BC. Right from the opening, we see Ezekiel is called by God as a prophet. Chapter 1 ends with a vision of the “likeness” and “appearance” of the glory of the Lord since He cannot be fully seen. And indicates the presence of God that is currently with Israel.
Ezekiel then proceeds to describe how God sovereignly hands His people over to judgment and removes the glory that comes with His presence. Simultaneously, Ezekiel is able to emphasize the promise that this gift of glory will once again be restored to Israel. The Spirit entering Ezekiel signifies that his authority and words are from God and not his own wisdom or might. Ezekiel is given a difficult task of prophesying to the “rebellious house” that is Israel at this time. His words are sweet because they are from God, but they sting as they are embodied in truth.
Judgment: Yahweh Abandons the Temple – Ezekiel begins his ministry with a warning and proclamation of judgment from God and the removal of His glory over Israel. Ezekiel not only provided this through his words, but his entire life was an expression of this troubling future by living and acting out the impending exile. Eventually, 1/3 of the people would die of disease, 1/3 from war, and 1/3 would be scattered with violence chasing closely behind. Ultimately, Yahweh’s righteous anger will be released on Israel. Israel is suffering because of their “abominations” (used 93 times to describe the despair of their sin). “Will know that I am the Lord,” is used 72 times as a foundational reason for God’s infliction of judgment on Israel. However, this judgment will not be limited or restricted to Israel, but all nations will be judged for their righteousness.
Ezekiel often emphasizes that the judgment is a result of Israel’s uncleanliness. The nation is compared to whores such that the rejection of Yahweh as Lord is compared to adultery. Their judgment is primarily due to their worshiping of other gods. In chapter 9, Ezekiel begins to worry that there would be no future and no hope remaining for Israel. Today, we now know that is not the case, but at the time judgment was imminent for the nation of Israel. As Chapter 18 introduces, sin and judgment would ultimately become more personalized than the punishment of an entire nation. God would show mercy to those who pursued righteousness and turned away from evil. One wouldn’t be punished for the sins of their fathers or spared by the righteousness of their brother. Each were responsible for themselves. Ezekiel 18 specifically spells out what it means to keep the law in righteousness. Finally, we gain the understanding that God does not delight in punishing His people. Instead, He desires for all of His children to repent and live a righteous life with Him.
Salvation & Restoration – God’s goal, whether in times of retribution or salvation, is for people everywhere to declare Him as their Sovereign King and Lord of all. The judgment invoked was not final, because He intentionally left a remnant as a message that He would someday bring Israel back from exile. This salvation emphasizes the Spirit coming to dwell within God’s people that will guide them towards obedience and righteousness. God’s purpose in salvation is His own reputation and glory in preservation. These promises of salvation were difficult to believe due to the suffering and devastation in Israel. However, God is promising a future where He will provide a new David and become their shepherd. As their shepherd, He will heal, care for, and provide for His people. Ezekiel places the concepts of forgiveness and cleansing directly alongside the new Davidic King. The New Testament will expound on this correlation through the story of atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ. These promises will ultimately be fulfilled through Him.
The closing chapters (40-48) are difficult to understand as they describe the new temple. This new temple will be our second Eden and will prevent anything that is unclean from entering its walls. The new Jerusalem will be the temple. Therefore, the idea of interpreting the temple building literally is not as important as understanding that a new and better Jerusalem is coming. What is to come will be far better than anything that has ever existed or will ever exist. These chapters are focused on understanding the new encounters between God and man where the entire Earth is “indwelt by God, that God’s presence fills the entire cosmos.” Gone are the days where God limits Himself to a temple building due to the sin of the world. To come is a newer and better opportunity that allows us to see the King in His beauty.
Conclusion – Ultimately, the book is focused on the glorious presence of God. The Lord withdrew and invoked judgment as a result of Israel’s sin. He will restore them for the sake of His own name. God will do a great work in and through them by giving them His Spirit who will guide them towards obedience. Finally, there will be a new temple that will allow God’s glory to return to Israel. “When God reigns over all, His presence will abide with His people.“
Themes: God will remove His glory from Israel. The removal is temporary. Someday, we will worship in a new temple that is not limited to space and does not allow anything unclean or immoral to enter. God’s actions are done to lift His name high for all to see.