Seeking Spiritual Renewal Revelation: God is still on the Throne (Ezekiel:1-3)

Road Map for Ezekiel Historical and autobiographical Theological Set against the back drop of historical events following the deportation of King Jehoiachin in 597 BC. Theological Vision, call and commission of Ezekiel as a prophet (1:1-3:27). Fall of Jerusalem linked to the past and present sins of God’s people (4:1-24:27). Fall of Jerusalem prophesied and God’s sovereignty over the nations (25:1-32:32) Israel’s restoration and promise of God’s glory returning (33:1- 48:35)

Ezekiel: The Man Ezekiel was a priest called to be a prophet when he was 30 in July 593 BC. Ezekiel is an exile by the Kebar River, south of Babylon. Ezekiel saw ‘visions of God’ (Ezekiel 1:1).

Ezekiel – ‘God Strengthens’ Revelation – ‘I saw visions of God’ (1:1), ‘The Word of the Lord came to Ezekiel’ (1:3) Resourced - ‘The hand of the Lord was upon him’ (1:3) Renewed - ‘As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me’ (2:1)

The Vision Principles of Interpretation The indescribable God is pictured symbolically Continuity with the past and the present Familiar things relate spiritual truth Major ideas not minutiae

The Throne of God Approaches (1:4-28) Windstorm – Judgement of God (1:4-5) Holiness of God (Light and Fire) Cherubim - Four Living Creatures (1:5-14) Four Faces: Man – height of creation Lion – greatest of untamed creatures Ox - strongest of domestic creatures Eagle – greatest of birds Awesome – moved with the Spirit

The Throne of God Approaches (1:4-28) Wheels – intersecting wheels – moved in all directions (1:15-24) full of eyes – all seeing Throne - Above the living creatures (1:25-28) ‘On the throne was a figure like that of a man’ – Pre-existent Jesus. Rainbow – In his wrath God remembers mercy. Glory of God – Fall face down.

Reflections God is still on the throne, even though the people are in exile. God is sovereign over Jerusalem and Judah (4:1-24:27) God is sovereign over the nations (25:1-32:32) God is holy, omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. God’s glory will leave Jerusalem but will return (Ezekiel 10).

God Calls Ezekiel To his people – rebellious, obstinate, stubborn, source of persecution (2:3-8). To be bold - do not be afraid of the people (2:6) To be faithful – do not rebel against God’s Word (2:7-8). To receive God’s Word – immerse yourself in the word and speak it to people (3:1-4).

Ezekiel’s Responsibility Speak even if the people do not listen (3:10). Ezekiel mourned and wept for 7 days (3:15). Role of Watchman (3:16-21) Responsibility to warn people of coming danger. Watchman unfaithful people perish Watchman faithful people do not listen Watchman faithful people listen and repent To wait until God told him to speak (3:22-27) God is the ‘Sovereign Lord’ (Jehovah Adonai) (3:27)

Reflections Renewal God answers prayer. God reveals his glory. God calls and strengthens his people. God commands his people to immerse themselves in Scripture, warn others, and, leave the response to them. God wants bold but compassionate hearts. God is looking for faithful proclamation today.