Ezekiel, with his fellow-prophet Daniel, delivered Yahweh’s message to the captivity in Babylon, whilst Jeremiah ministered to the people in Jerusalem before the destruction from the north came upon them. Ezekiel the priest was taken to Babylon with “king Jehoiachin’s captivity”, which was the third deportation of Jews, when 10,000 were taken from Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:12–16). He first saw “visions of Elohim” in the thirtieth year (ch 1:1) which probably refers to the prophet’s age—the age at which a priest under the Law commenced his service.
It is highly significant that the prophet is referred to by his name, Ezekiel, only twice in the whole book—chapter 1:3 and chapter 24:24; at all other times he is addressed as “Son of Man” because “…Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord Yahweh” (ch 24:24). The purpose of his mission is embodied in these oft-repeated phrases, “that they may know that I am Yahweh” and “and they shall know that I am Yahweh”, etc which occur over seventy times in the book. This brings to mind the words of the Lord Jesus Christ when he prayed to the Father—“this is life eternal that they might KNOW THEE, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent”.
Ezekiel’s name means “El will strengthen”, and he was assured that Yahweh would make his face as hard as diamond (“adamant” ch 3:8,9), in order to withstand the faces of the people of Judah, which were as hard as flint. Thus we have the parable—
“EL WILL STRENGTHEN THE SON OF MAN WITH VISIONS OF ELOHIM THAT THEY MAY KNOW THAT I AM YAHWEH”.
We are again reminded of the Lord Jesus Christ—”the Son of Man”, whom Yahweh made strong for Himself (Psalm 80:17)
A most valuable and enjoyable project in conjunction with the readings each day is to highlight the occurrence in the book of these recurring phrases—“Son of Man” and “they shall know that I am Yahweh”, or similar statement—and this can be done as a personal exercise or with the family. The highlighting of such phrases will serve to remind us of these important themes each time we open the book and will help to make the prophet’s message a motivating power in our lives now.
Ezekiel was a married man living in his own house, as many of the exiles did, at Tel-Abib (ch 24: 16,17). His service to Yahweh placed great demands on his personal life:
- for a period he was dumb, except to speak Yahweh’s Word (ch 3:25–27; 24:27)
- he was instructed not to mourn the death of his beloved wife, “the desire of thine eyes”, in order to dramatise the tragedy of Yahweh’s national wife (ch 24:16–18,21,25)
- he lay on his side for 430 days to enact the 430 years of retribution Yahweh would bring upon the house of Israel and the house of Judah (ch 4)
- he shaved his head to demonstrate that the Nazarite nation had “defiled the head of its consecration”(ch 5).
The predominant theme flowing through the whole of the book is that of the manifestation of the GLORY, climaxing in the detailed description of the Temple of the future Age when Yahweh’s Glory shall fill the earth (Num 14:21; Ezek 43:5).
There are five main sections in the Book—
1 The Glory Appears
2 The Glory Departs
3 The Glory Hidden
4 The Glory Prepares
5 The Glory Returns
THE GLORY APPEARS Chapters 1 to 3
Ezekiel’s Commission
Ezekiel first saw “Visions of Elohim” by the river of Chebar (1:3). He witnessed a wall of light and fire rapidly approaching as a whirlwind from the north. As it neared him, he saw that it was formed of a great luminous cloud around which swirled long tongues of flame. Four living creatures next appeared out of the cloud, burning as with coals of fire whilst flashes of lightning emanated from them. Though four, they acted as a unit—“they ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of fire”.
Ezekiel was impressed with the wheels which helped to give mobility to the vision so that it was borne along as though in a chariot. The wheels were so high they seemed to connect heaven and earth. The living creatures supported a firmament, beneath which were their wings making a noise like an army on the march. When the Cherubim came to a stop, Ezekiel saw a throne with a majestic figure thereon. The vision was a representation of the Glory of Yahweh in manifestation (1:28).
The appearance of the vision so overwhelmed Ezekiel that he prostrated himself. Then the Spirit entered him and caused him to stand upon his feet (2:2).
Having been commissioned as a watchman to the House of Israel, the hand of the Cherubim gave him a scroll to eat (2:9), after which he was lifted up by the Spirit and taken away in bitterness of spirit to Tel Abib where his commission was re-stated (3:12–17).
The Hand of Yahweh came upon him again and commanded him to go forth “into the plain” where he witnessed the same Cherubic vision as he had seen by the River Chebar (3:22–23). After again being prostrated and caused to stand up by the Spirit, he received a final instruction advising him that he would be dumb except when he spoke the Words of Yahweh (3:26,27).
THE GLORY DEPARTS Chapters 4 to 24
Judgments on Jerusalem
A little over a year later, the vision re-appeared to Ezekiel whilst he was sitting in his house (8:1). A hand of the Cherubim took him by a lock of his head and the Spirit lifted him up between the earth and heaven and brought him in the “Visions of Elohim” to Jerusalem, where he was shown the “image of jealousy” in the Temple (8:3). As he watched, he saw a symbolic enactment of judgment being carried out on the city (9:1,2); and at the same time the Glory of the Elohim of Israel went up from the Cherub in the Most Holy Place to the threshold of the House (9:3). During this time judgment was being dispensed by the man with the writer’s inkhorn.
In chapter 10 the Cherubic vision of chapter 1 re-appeared on the right side of the House and the man clothed in linen, having obtained coals of fire from between the wheels (10:6), scattered them over the city (10:2). The Glory of Yahweh which had been standing by the threshold of the House now moved and stood over the Cherubim and the whole vision mounted up and stood at the door of the east gate of the House (10:18–19).
The Spirit again lifted Ezekiel up and brought him unto the east gate of Yahweh’s House where he witnessed the outpouring of further judgments upon the nation (11:1). Then he saw the whole Cherubic vision, together with the Glory of Yahweh above it, depart to the Mount of Olives on the east side of the city (11:22,23).
After this the Spirit took Ezekiel up and brought him in a vision by the Spirit of Elohim into Chaldea, to those of the captivity and then the vision went up from him (11:24).
The anti-type was dramatically fulfilled 600 years later when the veil of the Temple was rent from top to bottom and some time later the Glory of Yahweh, in the person of His Son, went up from the Mount of Olives with the Divine assurance that this Glory-bearer would return again at the appointed time.
THE GLORY HIDDEN Chapters 25 to 32
Judgment on the nations.
During this period there was no open manifestation of the Glory or the Cherubic vision, as Israel is subjected to seven Gentile powers.
This period corresponds to the “times of the Gentiles” which are fast approaching their end.
THE GLORY PREPARES—Chapters 33 to 39
Prophecies of the Restoration.
Although there is still no open manifestation of the Cherubic vision, Israel begins to throw off the Gentile yoke of oppression and prepares for the return of the Glory.
This is the section containing chapters so wellknown to us, describing the national resurrection of Israel (ch 37—the valley of dry bones) and the Russian invasion (chs 38 and 39). How compelling these passages are, and how convincing as we witness their fulfilment in our day. There is no doubt that we live a mere step away from the manifestation of Yahweh’s Glory for judgment amongst the nations.
THE GLORY RETURNS Chapters 40 to 48
The Glorious Consummation
The “Visions of Elohim” returned to Ezekiel in Chapter 40:2 and he was brought in vision to the land of Israel and set upon a very high mountain by which was as “the frame of a city on the south”.
Ezekiel was given a conducted tour of the mighty Temple. The climax was when he saw the Glory of the Elohim of Israel come from the way of the east in company with the Cherubim which he originally saw by the River Chebar (43: 2,3). Having been prostrated, he saw the Glory of Yahweh come into the House by way of the east gate and the Spirit took him up and brought him into the inner court where he beheld the Glory of Yahweh fill the House (43:5).
The work of the Cherubim was completed, for now “YAHWEH IS THERE” (48:35).
There is a wealth of exhortation and encouragement in this powerful book, words of instruction and admonition to the shepherds and watchmen in the Ecclesia—“visions of Elohim” to strengthen us in these last days.
For those who wish to make a more intense study of the prophecy there is some excellent material, together with a detailed breakdown, in the little book Prophecies of the Restoration by Brother H P Mansfield.
May it be that when indeed the Glory has returned, we shall be amongst that company who will be the “One Yahweh” with the “Son of Man”, when His Purpose is complete and all the earth shall know at last that “YAHWEH IS THERE”.