EZEKIEL 21
BABYLON HEADED TO ATTACK JERUSALEM
God speaks through Ezekiel, warning the people of Jerusalem that God’s judgment is coming. Comparing God’s wrath to a sword, God will cut off all people of Jerusalem.
Ezekiel is given permission to grieve with a broken heart, mourning for the destruction of Israel. God has been extremely patient and merciful towards the Israelites, but the time has come for God’s fury to be satisfied.
Ezekiel is instructed to make a signpost for a divided highway, one path leading to the Ammonites and the other leading to Jerusalem. At this parting in the road, Nebuchadnezzar uses divination and household idols to decide which path to take and heads towards Judah to attack Jerusalem with battering rams.
God explains that the people of Judah will be taken into Babylonian captivity and Jerusalem will be turned to ruins.
EZEKIEL 22
GOD WILL REFINE ISRAEL LIKE SILVER
Because of the intense murder and violence that takes place within Judah, God refers to Jerusalem as the bloody city. Judah has committed abominable sins, and their appointed time of destruction is near. Soon, they will become a mockery among the nations.
God addresses Judah as dross, the impurities of silver separated in the process of melting. God will separate the debris from Israel and refine those who follow His commands.
If there are righteous people in Jerusalem, God will spare them, but there are none to be found.
EZEKIEL 23
THE INFIDELITY OF SAMARIA + JERUSALEM
Through Ezekiel, God shares a story or parable of two sisters named Oholah and Oholibah. Ohalah, the older sister, represents Samaria and Oholibah represents Jerusalem.
These two sisters prostitute themselves and lust after idols. Their promiscuity shows how Samaria and Jerusalem turned away from God and worshiped false idols, leading to their captivity under Assyria and Babylon.
Jerusalem and Samaria’s lust and idolatry is expressed in a way that shows physical or sexual defilement to highlight the spiritual infidelity and impurity they have committed.
EZEKIEL 24
EZEKIEL EXPERIENCES PERSONAL LOSS + SORROW
God warns Jerusalem, referred to as the bloody city, that they will be taken captive by Babylon. Jerusalem is compared to meat cooking in a pot. Similar to the example of refining silver and removing the dross from Ezekiel 22, this example shows how Jerusalem is like rotten meat that must be corroded by heat. God will destroy Jerusalem before refining and restoring the city.
God tells Ezekiel that his wife will soon die, but instructs Ezekiel not to publicly mourn. When Jerusalem is destroyed, the people of Israel are not to mourn of their loss, because their sinfulness, rebellion, and idol worship was the cause of Jerusalem’s destruction.
Ezekiel would serve as a sign to the people, having also lost what was most valuable and delightful to him. Through Ezekiel, God will be made known to the people.
EZEKIEL 25
PROPHECY AGAINST ISRAEL’S ENEMIES
Starting with the Ammonites, Ezekiel prophesizes against Israel’s enemy nations. Because the Ammonites celebrated Israel’s downfall, they will be taken into Babylonian captivity. Because of Moab’s disregard for Judah, the Moabites will also be taken captive by Babylon.
Because Edom and Philistia acted with revenge towards Judah, their kingdoms will be brought to ruin. God brought wrath upon Judah, but His judgment expanded across the nations.
EZEKIEL 26
PROPHECY AGAINST THE CITY OF TYRE
Through Ezekiel, God sends a warning to the city of Tyre that they will also be sieged and taken captive under Babylonia. Because Tyre became prideful and saw Jerusalem’s demise as their benefit, they would be laid to waste.
EZEKIEL 27
LAMENTATION OVER TYRE
Tyre, a city once valued for international trade, will become like rubble. Although they were considered to be like a great boat, they will soon become shipwrecked.
Many of the other nations, including Tarshish, Dedam, Judah, and Damascus will be shocked and appalled at what becomes of Tyre.
EZEKIEL 28
THE PRIDE OF TYRE + SATAN
Through Ezekiel, God sends a message of warning and prophecy against the leaders of Tyre. Because of the splendor and success of the city of Tyre, the city’s leadership has become prideful and corrupt. God warns that great wealth and wisdom do not give anyone the status of a god, despite what the people of Tyre claim. Because of this, they will be defeated and overthrown.
Ezekiel receives God’s instructions to lament Tyre’s pridefulness and impending downfall. Ezekiel uses vivid imagery and metaphors, including a description of the fall of Satan in Eden, to emphasize the king's downfall. Some interpretations of this passage see Ezekiel’s prophecy as a comparison between Tyre’s leader and Satan, once beautiful and magnificent, but ruined with sin. Others interpret this passage as a prophecy against Satan, saying that he will also be destroyed and brought to ruin. Either way, this chapter shows how God will oppose those who are prideful and elevate themselves.
God plans to gather the Israelites and manifest His holiness in them. They will once again be prosperous and dwell securely. Because of God’s destruction of Israel’s enemies, the Israelites will know that God is their Lord.
EZEKIEL 29
WARNING AGAINST THE PRIDE OF EGYPT
Ezekiel, speaking God’s word, rebukes the Egyptians. Egypt has become prideful over their ownership of the Nile, but God is the only true Creator and Possessor of the river. Egypt is compared to a great sea creature or dragon who will be caught with a hook and cast into the wilderness.
Because Egypt did not provide support to Israel in their time of need, they will be defeated by a sword and the land will become desolate. Egypt will become uninhabitable for forty years and they will never rule over the nations again.
Around 600 BC, Babylon plunders Egypt and carries away their wealth, just as Ezekiel prophesied.
EZEKIEL 30
EGYPT TO BE OVERTHROWN BY BABYLON
Through Ezekiel, God continues His message of warning and prophecy against Egypt and the surrounding areas. A sword will soon come against the nation of Egypt, causing their demise.
Ezekiel laments the future of Egypt, knowing that they will be laid to waste and set on fire. Egypt’s foundations will be torn down, and their wealth will be carried away. God’s word will come to pass and those who support Egypt will also fall.
According to God’s plans for Babylon to overthrow Egypt, Pharoah’s arms will be broken, but Nebuchadnezzar’s will be strengthened. God opposes the proud and brings destruction upon the rebellious.
EZEKIEL 31
EGYPT WILL BE LIKE ASSYRIA, A LARGE CEDAR CUT DOWN
In a prophecy against Egypt, Ezekiel compares Assyria to a giant towering cedar tree. Although Assyria was once the world power, they became prideful, and they were cut down. Egypt, and specifically Pharaoh, will be like the cedar tree, once mighty and beautiful but soon uprooted and destroyed.
In this illustration, God is responsible for both creating the cedar and commanding for it to be taken down, showing His authority and sovereignty over the fate of the nations.
EZEKIEL 32
THE FATE OF EGYPT ALARMS THE NATIONS
Ezekiel laments the destruction of Egypt and Pharaoh. Although Pharoah views himself like a lion, God describes him as a water dragon. Similar to the description in Ezekiel 29, God tells of the water creature being flung onto dry land and dismantled.
When other nations see the fate of Egypt, they will not rejoice but instead respond with fear and trembling. The fall of Egypt will leave many people horrified and appalled, realizing how feeble and fleeting power can be.
Egypt’s reality will be no different than the other proud, unrepentant nations, including Assyria and Edom.
EZEKIEL 33
EZEKIEL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SHARING GOD’S WARNING
Using the imagery of a trumpeter warning the people of danger with the blow of a trumpet, God describes Ezekiel’s role as watchman over Israel. Ezekiel is responsible for sharing God’s word and alerting the people but has no control over their reactions or responses. If Ezekiel does not warn the people, he is the one at fault for their inaction.
God explains that if the righteous become wicked, they are judged as wicked and face condemnation. But if a wicked person turns towards righteousness, they will be forgiven. Israel does not revere God’s justice system and dismisses the idea that God will judge each person according to their own sin.
Ezekiel hears the news that Judah has been overthrown. Because of the horrible sins of Judah, the capital city of Jerusalem has fallen. God tells Ezekiel that His words of warning and prophecy have not influenced the people of Judah to stop their sinful ways and turn towards repentance.
EZEKIEL 34
ISRAEL WILL BE GIVEN A GOOD SHEPHERD
The leaders of Israel are compared to shepherds who have neglected their sheep. Because of their selfishness and inattentiveness, the sheep have been scattered. In response to their mistreatment, God will step in to rescue the sheep Himself. Using language similar to Psalm 23, God tells of the rest and peace He will provide for His restored flock.
God will establish a new shepherd over His people from the line of David (Jesus!) and make a covenant of peace with them. God is a good Shepherd, one who brings beautiful blessings and abundance. In John 10:14, Jesus calls Himself the good Shepherd.
EZEKIEL 35
GOD REBUKES THE EDOMITES
Through Ezekiel, God rebukes the nation of Edom, also referred to as Mount Seir. Edom will become a desolate wasteland because of their constant enmity and hostility towards Israel.
Because the Edomites are tolerant of bloodshed, they will soon experience death by sword. The Edomites continually oppose God’s people and magnify themselves above God, but their destruction will point to God as Lord.
EZEKIEL 36
GOD WILL REDEEM ISRAEL FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE
The mountains of Israel have been destroyed by enemy nations, but God promises that Israel will grow new branches and become fruitful once again. God will restore the nation, making them no longer a disgrace.
Through their idol worship and sinfulness, the Israelites profaned God’s name. God’s rehabilitation of Israel to their land will bring honor to God’s holy name once again.
God plans to gather, cleanse, purify, and redeem the Israelites before reinstating them the land given to their ancestors. Replacing their hearts of stone with hearts of flesh, God desires to be known and worshiped by the Israelites. God does all of this for His glory and His name's sake!
Ezekiel 36:8 - But you, O mountains of Israel, shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they will soon come home.
EZEKIEL 37
EZEKIEL’S VISION OF THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES
Ezekiel has a vision of a valley filled with dried bones. Through Ezekiel, God commands the bones to come alive. God’s spirit appears upon the bones, breathing life into them, and restoring them completely! Instead of dry bones, Ezekiel now stands before a great army, full of life and strength.
The valley of dry bones shows the immense death amongst Israel, both literally and spiritually. God plans to breathe new life and spirit into His people, restoring them and strengthening them. Just as God created man from dirt with His breath in Genesis 2, God will begin a new act of creation among the Israelites.
God instructs Ezekiel to take two sticks, one representative of Judah and the other of Israel. Ezekiel is to join the sticks, making them one in his hand. This vision represents the twelve tribes of Israel reuniting as one unified nation.
God promises that one day Jerusalem will become the dwelling place for the Israelites and God’s Spirit. They will be united under an everlasting covenant and led by a Shepherd from the line of David.
EZEKIEL 38
GOD OPPOSES WICKED LEADERSHIP AMONG ISRAEL’S ENEMIES
God gives Ezekiel a message prophesying against the evil leader Gog. It is possible that instead of an individual person, Gog is an archetype of rebellious leaders and sin among the nations. God pronounces judgment on Gog, who plans to attack unsuspecting villages and the nation of Israel.
God’s wrath and fury upon Gog will appear in the form of fire, earthquakes, and plagues. These fierce acts show the Israelites’ God’s authority and triumph over evil.
EZEKIEL 39
GOD CONTINUES HIS PROPHECY AGAINST THE EVIL RULER GOG
Through Ezekiel, God continues to speak against Gog, the archetype of rebellious and sinful nations. God tells of a time when Gog will fall and become nothing but carcasses devoured by wild animals.
After his downfall, Gog’s weapons will be burned and used as fuel by the Israelites. What was once intended for evil, God uses for provision for His people! After sin and evil is eradicated from the nations, God’s glory will be on display and the people will acknowledge Him as Lord. God plans to restore the Israelites and pour out His spirit upon them.
EZEKIEL 40
EZEKIEL’S VISION OF MEASURING THE NEW TEMPLE
Twenty-five years into the exile, God reveals to Ezekiel a vision on the day of Passover. This vision consisted of a man with a bronze appearance carrying a linen cord and measuring reed. Throughout the vision, the man uses the tools to measure the gates of the temple area as well as the inner and outer court.
The vision continues with Ezekiel being shown the area designated for sacrifices and the chamber for the priests. Ezekiel is instructed to share what he has seen with the people of Israel, offering them a message of hope for God’s plans to rebuild the temple.