Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
1:27-28 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
The vision Ezekiel had emphasized God’s powerful majesty – the rainbow a reminder of God’s promise-keeping and that nothing separated God’s people from him. The wheels spoke of God’s mobility – he wasn’t limited to one geographical location.
1:27-28 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
The vision Ezekiel had emphasized God’s powerful majesty – the rainbow a reminder of God’s promise-keeping and that nothing separated God’s people from him. The wheels spoke of God’s mobility – he wasn’t limited to one geographical location.
2:6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.
Three times God tells Ezekiel not to be afraid of the people he was to preach to, even though they would be like briers and scorpions. God would say the same to us.
2:6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.
Three times God tells Ezekiel not to be afraid of the people he was to preach to, even though they would be like briers and scorpions. God would say the same to us.
3:7-9 But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for all the Israelites are hardened and obstinate. But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.
God was going to make Ezekiel as stubborn as the Israelites in his determination to bring them his messages. ‘Ezekiel’ means God strengthens or God hardens.
(From Constable Commentary) Ezekiel “would not give up speaking to them any more than they refuse to listen to him. Therefore he should not fear his audience.”
3:7-9 But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for all the Israelites are hardened and obstinate. But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.
God was going to make Ezekiel as stubborn as the Israelites in his determination to bring them his messages. ‘Ezekiel’ means God strengthens or God hardens.
(From Constable Commentary) Ezekiel “would not give up speaking to them any more than they refuse to listen to him. Therefore he should not fear his audience.”
4:8 I will tie you up with ropes so that you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have finished the days of your siege.
God had Ezekiel dramatically act out the siege. First by building a model and then by lying on his side for part of each day. This verse is probably not to be taken literally but explains how God enabled him to lie still for long periods of time.
4:8 I will tie you up with ropes so that you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have finished the days of your siege.
God had Ezekiel dramatically act out the siege. First by building a model and then by lying on his side for part of each day. This verse is probably not to be taken literally but explains how God enabled him to lie still for long periods of time.
5:5-6 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her. Yet in her wickedness she has rebelled against my laws and decrees more than the nations and countries around her. She has rejected my laws and has not followed my decrees.
God set Jerusalem in the centre of nations, to be his witness to how good it is to live under the government of God. Yet Jerusalem not only didn’t fulfil this role, but rebelled more than pagan nations that didn’t even have God’s laws.
Likewise God sets his people up in the centre of pagan people to be his witness to how good it is to live under the government of God. Yet when we grumble and complain or act worse than unbelievers, what does it say to a watching world?
5:5-6 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her. Yet in her wickedness she has rebelled against my laws and decrees more than the nations and countries around her. She has rejected my laws and has not followed my decrees.
God set Jerusalem in the centre of nations, to be his witness to how good it is to live under the government of God. Yet Jerusalem not only didn’t fulfil this role, but rebelled more than pagan nations that didn’t even have God’s laws.
Likewise God sets his people up in the centre of pagan people to be his witness to how good it is to live under the government of God. Yet when we grumble and complain or act worse than unbelievers, what does it say to a watching world?