Ezekiels visions fit the ongoing drama of the bible. The book is filled with many visions and allegories and the prophets strange actions and behavior. The appearance of the wheels and their workmanship was the color of beryl, and the four of them had the same. Ezekiel chapters 1 to 24 free bible commentary in easy. Visions play an important structural role in the book of ezekiel. Ezekiel was given prophethood at an age thirty after he saw a majestic vision.
Ezekiels vision of the four wheels dramatically illustrates the omnipresence and omniscience of god. Ezekiel book of consists mainly of three groups of prophecies. Ezekiel saw these visions on the 5th day of the 4th month. The first reason to study ezekiel is that it will help you see yourself, and especially your sin, more clearly. According to the book itself, it records six visions of the prophet ezekiel. The biblical book of ezekiel records seven visions of the prophet ezekiel, who was exiled from judah to babylon from 593 b. And nowhere in the bible are gods initiative and control expressed more clearly and pervasively than in the book of ezekiel. Book of ezekiel overview insight for living ministries. Ezekiels in babylon, having been exiled there after the first siege of judah by the babylonians. Ezekiel in the picture study bible the book of ezekiel. Prophet ezekiel is one of the four prominent prophets mentioned in the hebrew bible. A literary masterpiece of the english language, the original king james bible is still in use today.
Key personalities include ezekiel, israels leaders, ezekiels wife. Ezekiel 1 international standard version isv an introduction to ezekiels visions. Ezekiel 1, new american standard bible nasb the bible app. This book is basically about the destruction and exile of judah and the promise of its eventual restoration by god. And their appearance and their workmanship was like a wheel inside of a wheel. Ezekiel was a prophet during the seventyyear period of babylonian. An introduction to ezekiels visions on the fifth day of the fourth month of the thirtieth year of the exile to babylon, while i was among the captives on the bank of the chebar river, heaven opened up and i saw visions from god.
The opening chapter depicts four living creatures in human form, each accompanied by wheels within wheels. The book of ezekiel introduction to the book of ezekiel in the bible. Because of this, for many christians, ezekiel is too strange and the book too complex and bizarre to deserve serious attention. Although ezekiel struggled to describe what he had seen, using words like resembling, looked like, and appearance of, his visions provide guidance for christians who take the time to study the bibles prophecies. Ezekiel in the picture study bible the book of ezekiel with. At first glance, ezekiel seems a little eccentric, but getting to know him is worth the effort.
Every one of the sixtysix books of the bible begins in a unique way. The book of ezekiel is in the old testament section of the bible. 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. Ezekiel, perhaps more than any other biblical prophet, wanted to know godand god revealed himself to this prophet in mysterious and mighty ways. Of all the scripture passages we might turn to during these times, the bizarre vision that opens the book of ezekiel would not register high on. Ezekiel chapters 1 to 24 free bible commentary in easy english. It reveals how god is manifested, how god moves, and how god administrates his. Is ezekiels vision of the wheel evidence of ufos in the bible. The problem was the people didnt want to hear his warning 2. From the first chapter, which graphically describes the overwhelming invasion of the divine presence into ezekiels world, to the last phrase of ezekiels vision the lord is there the book sounds and echoes gods sovereignty. Ezekiel also had detailed visions of a new temple ezekiel 4043, a restored jerusalem ezekiel 48. Summary of the book of ezekiel the story of the bible. These doubts were strong enough, in those early days, to raise the question of whether ezekiel should be one of the biblical books. It reveals how god is manifested, how god moves, and how god administrates his government through the four living creatures.
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. Jan 02, 2020 ezekiels first vision was of gods throne and included the four living creatures and whirling wheels. Ezekiel 1 isv an introduction to ezekiels visions bible. Mounce noted a belief that the living creatures may have been associated with the four principal signs of the zodiac, 7 but other scholars have.
Ezekiel 1 ezekiels inaugural vision in my bible gateway. The vision of the fire cloud on the fifth day of the month in the fifth year of king jehoiachins imprisonment in exile, a message from the lord came directly. Their defeat is prelude to ezekiels vision of a new israel whose source of life and prosperity is a wellordered cult in a new temple, where the divine glory again dwells chaps. Study scripture verses and use highlighting, underlining, and take notes in the bible. The prophet is so overcome by the vision that he falls on his face. The book of ezekiel can seem vague and confusing for some readers, but with careful observation it contains key details god wants us to know about. Each of these beings had four different faceshuman, eagle, lion, and ox. Ezekiel is a priest who is called by god to deliver his messages. Ezekiel 1 new international version niv ezekiels inaugural vision. The book opens with an account of the vision that summoned ezekiel to his prophetic calling. The book of ezekiel has always been a problem book.
There are only two old testament scriptures that directly reference this strange heavenly vision of a wheel within a wheel observed by the prophet ezekiel. Most of the book is prose rather than poetry, which is another distinct feature among prophets in general. God would send someone from davids family to be their leader ezekiel 37. Book of ezekiel read, study bible verses online bible study tools.
Verses 23 king jehoiachin was still the proper king. Ezekiels first vision was of gods throne and included the four living creatures and whirling wheels. Ezekiels inaugural vision in my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while i was among the exiles by the kebar river, the heavens were opened and i saw visions of god. Many of the divine visions that ezekiel shares are relevant to gods plans for reconstructing the present world and restoring his people to our former days in the garden of eden. In the series of revelations we find four ecstatic visions ezek, 811, 37. Summary the book of ezekiel has the most logical arrangement of any of the prophetic books. Is ezekiel s vision of the wheel evidence of ufos in the. The prophet ezekiel was commissioned to be a watchman sounding the warning for the early waves of exiles in babylon 3. The visions, and the book, are structured around three themes. 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. The book of ezekiel is narrative history, prophetic and apocalyptic in genre and even contains parables. The first section of ezekiel, which is all of chapter one, presents a vision of the appearance of the glory of the lord.
When biblical texts are interpreted through this perspective in general, an interesting picture emerges of the possibility that our ancient. 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. Much of christ will be found in this book, especially in the conclusion. Not only does the book present a striking picture of the resurrection and restoration of gods people ezekiel 37, it. Ezekiel intro, new international version niv the bible app. Is ezekiels vision of the wheel evidence of ufos in the. The prophets vision concerns four living creatures that served as a type of chariot for the divine throne, the place from which the likeness of the glory of the lord spoke to ezekiel vv. Ezekiel 1 nkjv ezekiels vision of god now it came bible. The book opens with a unique vision of the glory of the lord. Ezekiels vision of god now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth. From the first chapter, which graphically describes the overwhelming invasion of the divine presence into ezekiel s world, to the last phrase of ezekiel s vision the lord is there the book sounds and echoes gods. Ezekiel s visions came mostly from being lifted by the spirit.
When ezekiel was 30 years old, in the late spring or summer of the year, he was living among the exiles by the kebar river in the land of the babylonians. Ezekiel makes the other prophets seem almost tame by comparison, with his mysterious four. This summary of the book of ezekiel provides information about the title. It records seven visions of the prophet ezekiel, exiled in babylon, during the 22 years from 593 to 571 bc. God also showed ezekiel a picture of a new temple in the future ezekiel chapters 4048. The prophet, fondly called son of man, was really a man of the spirit. In other words, it was as if ezekiel could see beyond the skies. Next to the book of revelation, ezekiels probably the weirdest and most dramatic book of the hebrew bible. The priest ezekiel was the first prophet to be called by the lord outside of israel during the babylonian captivity.
He engages in startling symbolic activities to teach gods people. The book of ezekiel pronounces judgment on both israel and surrounding nations, but it also provides a vision of the future millennial kingdom that complements and adds to the vision of other old and new testament texts. He receives visions, and his message is to confront gods sinful nation, i am sending you to the sons of israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against me. Many of the divine visions that ezekiel shares are relevant to gods plans for reconstructing the present world and. The four living creatures that john of patmos sees in the book of revelation, is the authors reworking of the living creatures in the visions of ezekiel ezekiel 1. 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. Interesting facts about ezekiel barnes bible charts meaning. Thirty was the age when priests commenced their office, so it was a. The visions and oracles of the prophet ezekiel by dr. It is composed of 48 chapters divided almost half before and after the fall of jerusalem. Cooper installment 2 the call and commission of ezekiel. After an account of his call to the prophetical office. The books closing promises confirm that god will renew the hearts of his people and refresh all life on the face of the earth.
It combines farout visions, judgments of violent destruction and death, and predictions of peace and consolation into a spicy prophetic gumbo. Ezekiel uses visions, prophecies, parables, signs and symbols to proclaim and dramatize the message of god to his exiled people. Each of these beings had four different faceshuman, eagle, lion, and ox v. Ezekiel cliffsnotes study guides book summaries, test.
God himself would return to this temple ezekiel 43. Ezekiel s in babylon, having been exiled there after the first siege of judah by the babylonians. How are we to understand ezekiels bizarre vision of the chariot in its. Next to the book of revelation, ezekiel s probably the weirdest and most dramatic book of the hebrew bible. Meaning of ezekiels wheel within wheel bible study. As i looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it. Ezekiel was a fascinating man who wrote a wonderful book filled with strange and powerful visions. Ezekiel describes his vision as an elaborate and complex image that symbolizes the majesty of yahweh and proclaims yahwehs sovereignty over all the nations of the earth. Encounter divine dreams and visions in the book of ezekiel. Ezekiels visions came mostly from being lifted by the spirit.
The visions of ezekiel by witness lee living stream ministry. The heavens opened and the widely respected priest received a. The book of ezekiel can seem vague and confusing for some readers, but with careful observation it. It was the fifth year of the exile of king jehoiachin when the word of god came to ezekiel.
A depiction of ezekiels vision of god and the cherubim as described in the bible at ezekiel chapter 1 and 10. Book of ezekiel i old testament storiesi animated children. It mainly discusses the events during the babylonian captivity. Amid disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, dread came upon me, and trembling. The book of ezekiel is one of the major prophetic books in the old testament and had more influence on revelation than any other book. Book of ezekiel known to be written by prophet ezekiel and is placed immediately after lamentation in ot. Of the many accounts in the bible of strange happenings and otherworldly occurrences, the story of ezekiel is one of the more fascinating, especially when looked at through the lens of modern technology. What exactly does ezekiel s wheel within a wheel vision mean.
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