Make-up exams – Friday, 12 December 3:00-5:30 in Jenks 406 PLEASE WRITE THIS DOWN! If you have missed an exam, this will be the day to retake it. It will be in essay format. If you wish to re-take any exam on which you have not earned the grade you would like, you may do so on reading day. It will also be an essay exam. You must let me know via by the end of this week (5 December) if you wish to take advantage of this option. In order to study for these exams, please use the study questions posted on Blackboard under Course Documents.

One Further Announcement If there is sufficient interest, I shall be available for one final Open Forum tomorrow (Thursday) evening – 7:15-8:15. Place to be determined. The primary issue of discussion would be our understanding of the implications of the prophetic voice for today.

Prophet of the Exile: Ezekiel

Introductory matters And so what is most memorable about Ezekiel? Why is Ezekiel called a “watchman”? The prophets’ lives are models for faithful believers – and for faithful preachers

A Review of History Nebuchadnezzar took multiple waves of exiles to Babylon, starting in 605 and continuing beyond the destruction of the Temple Ezekiel, exiled in 597, was prophesying from Babylon

A New Literary Genre: Apocalyptic Definition – revelation of those events that will happen in the end times Characteristics: Looks forward to a time when good will triumph Dreams, visions, symbols Fantastic images Divisions of time and symbolic use of numbers Often pseudonymous

Apocalyptic in the Arts: Ezekiel’s Vision of the Glory of God

General Outline of the Book Chapters 1-24 – doom approaching for Jerusalem because of sin Chapters – prophecies against foreign nations – note especially Tyre and the prince of Tyre (chs 26-28) Chapters – revival and restoration of Israel to their land

Identity of Ezekiel “the watchman of Israel” [chs 3 and 33] “son of man” – human being Priest (1:3) – knew the Temple well Member of the second wave of exiles

Ezekiel’s Call (chapters 1-3) A vision of God in a foreign land Mission – speak to Israel (see 3:14) Responsibility as a “watchman”

Media and Messages: Visions The Glory of God (chapters 1, 8-11) Four creatures – cherubim Because of idolatry, God’s Glory would depart Restoration/resurrection of Israel Dry bones and resurrection (ch 37) Gog from the land of Magog (chs 38-39; cf. Revelation 19-20) The Glory returns to the new Temple (chs 40-46; esp 43:4) Why are there sacrifices here? What temple is this? Note Revelation 21:22 The river flowing from the Temple (47:1-12) – Revelation 22

Media and Messages: Symbolic Actions Ch 3 – eating the scroll; made partially mute (vss 26-27) Ch 4 – model of the siege of Jerusalem Ch 5 – cutting his beard into three parts (a shaming action) One-third burned One-third struck with the sword One-third scattered to the wind A “remnant” saved Ch 12 – digging through the wall and removing possessions  exile Ch 24 – not mourning the death of his wife

Media and Messages: Allegories Ch 16 – Jerusalem as an abandoned child who is saved but grows up to be a harlot Ch 17 – Jerusalem: the top branch plucked off by an eagle Ch 23 – Israel and Judah: two adulterous sisters Ch 28 – Prince of Tyre

Promises of the New Covenant David as shepherd and king (34:23-24; 37:24-28) Covenant blessings A “new heart and a new spirit” (36:26-28)