The Strand Study Bible

EZEKIEL

Author: Ezekiel Theme: The Fall of Judah and Jerusalem Book’s Main Character: Ezekiel

About the Author: Ezekiel, whose name means “God will strengthen,” was the son of Buzi and a priest/prophet to the Judean captives in Babylon. He began his ministry in 592 BC, five years after his exile from Jerusalem in 597 BC. He was 30 years old when he began to preach (Ezk 1:1) and a contemporary of Daniel in Babylon and of Jeremiah and Obadiah in Jerusalem. About the Book: Ezekiel’s call was fourfold: 1. To prophesy Jerusalem’s inevitable destruction (Ezk 4-7,12-17,21-24), along with the nations that surrounded her (Ezk 25-32,35) 2. To inform the captive Jews of Jerusalem’s present condition (Ezk 8-11) 3. To remind the captive Jews of the reasons why they were being chastened (Ezk 18-20,33-34) 4. To comfort the captive Jews concerning the future restoration of their nation during the Millennium (Ezk 36-48) The book of Ezekiel covers twenty-two years (from 592-570 BC) Helpful Background: After Nabopolassar’s conquest of Nineveh (Assyria’s capitol) in 612 BC, the nation of Babylon began to emerge as a new world power. By 606 BC, Babylon had not only conquered Assyria, destroying its Assyrian/Egyptian coalition at Carchemish, but invaded Syria and Palestine as well. While pursuing the fleeing Egyptians to their very border, Nebuchadnezzar decided to invade Jerusalem for the first time in 605 BC. During that invasion Daniel and the rich people were taken captive (II Ki 24:1 and Dan 1:1-3). Nine years later Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem for the second time in 597 BC. This time Nebuchadnezzar took Ezekiel, King Jehoiachin, and 10,000 middle class people captive (II Ki 24:10-12 and II Chro 36:10). Nine years after that the third and final invasion began in January of 588 BC. The siege lasted for a year and a half. And though briefly interrupted by an Egyptian threat (Jere 37:3-5), it ended in August of 586 BC. King Zedekiah along with countless other Jews were taken captive as Jerusalem was burned and destroyed (II Ki 25:1-10). Notes of Interest: 1. Ezekiel is quoted in the N.T 1 time. 2. Prophecies are referred to 671 times in Ezekiel . 3. Prophecies concerning CHRIST are referred to 38 of those 671 times. 4. There are 3 inset maps used in the book of Ezekiel . They are numbered chronologically (#255,259-260) Outline of Ezekiel :

1. Jerusalem’s inevitable destruction (Ezk 1-24) 2. Prophecies concerning the Nations (Ezk 25-35) 3. The future restoration of Israel (Ezk 36-48) Ezekiel 1 The call of Ezekiel

1. or “Ezekiel’s 30th year” - Num 4:1-3,23,47 & I Chro 23:3 2. II Ki 24:14-16 3. Ezk 1:24 4. or, “power of the Holy Spirit” - Ezk 3:14,22 & 37:1 & 40:1 & II Ki 3:15 & Acts 8:14-25 & 9:17 & 13:1-5 & 19:6

CASPIAN SEA

(Note - This event took place in the 5th year of King Zedekiah’s reign) Date - July 5th, 592 BC/AM 3408

1 Now it came to pass in the 1 thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. READ NEXT - Psalms 44,102,123,129,137 Ezekiel’s three visions of CHRIST 2 In the fifth day of the month, 2 which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity, 3 The 3 word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Che- bar; and the 4 hand of the LORD was there upon him.

Tigris River

Babylon •

Euphrates River

PERSIAN GULF

Ezekiel is taken captive to Babylon Map #255

1:1 a Chebar is a canal that branches off the Euphrates River and runs into the Tigris River. 1:1 b “Vision” is God’s attempt to gain our attention with truths that will affect us for all eternity. His vision for us is determined by our willingness to sit still long enough till JESUS shows up ( visions of God - Jn 1:1,14). He’s the real visionary. If we cannot sit still long enough to hear His Word, we cannot know what He envisions for us ( Prov 29:18 and Zech 1:8 ). 1:3 Ezekiel’s name means “God strengthens.” Ezekiel is referred to 1 time in the NT ( Mt 2:23 ). 1248