Bible Study                                     Notes 2001

25 September 2001

 

STUDIES IN EZEKIEL
 Ezekiel 1:1-28

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

  1. Ezekiel came from a priestly family
    "The Word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest…" Eze. 1:3

  2. He was one of the captives brought to Babylon, in the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar Eze. 1:1 (Cf. 2 Kings 24)
    a. King Jehoiachin was then the ruler of Judah 2 Kings 24:12
    b. All the treasures of the Temple and the King were brought to Babylon 2 Kings 24:13
    c. 10, 000 people were brought as captives to Babylon 2 Kings 24:14
    d. Only the poorest of the poor remained in Judah 2 Kings 24:14

  3. Ezekiel began his ministry as a priest and as a prophet of God at age 30 (Cf. Num. 4:3, 23, 35)
    a. Ministry of the Word of God
        "The Word of the Lord came expressly to Ezekiel…" Eze. 1:3
    b. Ministry to the exiles in Babylon
VISIONS OF GOD
  1. The usual way God communicated with His servants, the Prophets
    a. "In a vision…" or "In a dream" Num. 12:6
        Before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ Hebrews 1:1-2
    b. The Word of the Lord was given in visions to Ezekiel
        "Visions of God" Eze. 1:1
    c. The word of the Lord was also said to have come "expressly" to Ezekiel Eze. 1:3
    d. "The hand of the Lord was upon Ezekiel" to guide and train him for ministry Eze. 1:3

  2. Vision of the 4 Living Creatures Eze. 1:5, 13, 15
    a. These four creatures were angelic beings
    b. They stood before God's throne
    c. Awesome as these angelic beings may be, they were still but ministering spirits
 "THE GLORY OF THE LORD"
  1. The glory of the Lord appeared in the days of Moses (Exo. 24:9-10)
  2. It covered the Tabernacle Exo. 40: 34-38
  3. It covered the Temple 2 Chr. 5:13-14
  4. Ezekiel, in the land of Babylon was given a glimpse of God's glory Eze. 1:28