Book Report-Ezekial

Notes taken from New Spirit Filled Life Bible~

Author: Ezekial
Date: 593 B.C.-573 B.C.
Theme: Destruction of Jerusalem and Its Restoration
Key Words: Judgment, Blessing, Individual Moral Responsibility

Ezekial means 'God Strengthens.' He was a priest from the Zadokite family.

"The death of his wife occurred about the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C.
Exiled in the second siege of Jerusalem, he wrote to those yet in Jerusalem about its imminent and total destruction, including the departure of God's presence."

"Ezekiel's message was addessed to a demoralized remnant of Judah exiled in Babylon. The moral responsibility of the individual is a primary theme in his message. Corporate responsibility no longer shields the individual. Each individual must accept personal responsibility for the national calamity. Each individual is responsible for his or her individual sin. It is the weight of the cumulative sin of each individual that contributed to the breaking of God's covenant with Israel, and each bears a share of the blame for the judgment that resulted in the exile to Babylon."

Ezekial emphasized personal responsibility regarding the fall of the nation but also emphasized the divine grace in the rebirth of the nation if the remnant of God's people in the nation would repent. Although the judgment against the nation had resulted in 'dry bones', the repentance of the nation could cause the Holy Spirit to give life to those bones so they could live again.
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I love the words in Ezekial 2: 5,6,7. God had told Ezekial to go speak to His stubborn children. "As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse....they will know that a prophet has been among them....do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks...speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious."

I think sometimes we hesitate to give a strong message to someone who needs it because we think that they won't receive it. But, time and time again, God sent His prophets to speak His words to a rebellious people. Sometimes, they heard it and repented and sometimes, they hardened their hearts even more. But, He gave them another chance to repent and I think that shows what a merciful God He is.

In chapter 36:26, God tells them that He will give them a new heart and put a new spirit within them..so they could keep is judgments and do them...so they could live in the land and be His people and so He could be their God. Vs. 22, He says He will do this for His holy name's sake, which they have profaned among the nations wherever they went...so these nations would know that He is the Lord, when He is hallowed in Israel before their very eyes."

That is just beyond amazing.

Ezekial 9:4 holds strong words to make us think.
"..the Lord said to him, "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it."

God help us not to tolerate the things that should make us sigh and cry.
God help us not to call abominations a person's choice or a person's journey.
God help us not tolerate the calling of evil, good;
nor the calling of good, evil.
God help us carry His mark on our foreheads
and His words in our mouths.
God help us not to be dismayed
by the looks and the words of those
who want us silenced.
God help us.