Ezekiel 1-3

Probable Chronology of Ezekiel’s Life
622 BC (about) Ezekiel born in Judah
612 BC Babylon defeats Assyria to become world power
612 – 605 BC Ezekiel hears about coming exile from the prophet Jeremiah
605 BC Daniel and others taken captive by Babylon
597 BC King Jehoiachin, Ezekiel (and others) taken captive
593 BC Ezekiel sees visions of God and becomes a prophet
593 – 586 BC Ezekiel predicts Judgment on Jerusalem
586 BC Jerusalem is destroyed by the Babylonians
586 – 571 BC Ezekiel predicts Judgment on Pagans & Restoration of Israel

His Vision
1. A coming storm (high wind, an immense cloud, lighting, brilliant lights) (1:4)
2. A fire with what looked like 4 living creatures (w/4 faces each) in it (1:5-14)
Feature… Symbolic for…
Each had a face like a man Intelligence Luke (Fully man)
Each had a face like a lion Strength Matthew (Lion of Judah)
Each had a face like an ox Service Mark (Suffering Servant)
Each had a face like an eagle Divinity John (Fully God)
3. Wheels on the ground beside each living creature (1:15-21)
4. Four wings attached to each living creature (1:6, 8-9, 11, 22-24)
5. A figure like that of a man and a throne high above the creatures (1:25-28)
* Some people have considered this a record of an extra-terrestrial encounter

His Calling
1. Stand up and listen to the figure on the throne (2:1-2)
2. Deliver a message from God against the rebellious house of Israel (2:3-7)
3. Eat the scroll of lament and mourning and woe (2:8 - 3:3)
4. Speak to your fellow Israelites whether they listen or not (3:4-11)
5. Speak to the exiles at Tel Abib near the Kebar River (3:12-15)

His Responsibility
1. Listen to God (2:2 + 8, 3:22-23)
2. Do not be afraid despite circumstances (2:6)
3. Speak God’s Word with authority whether people listen or not (2:7, 3:11, 16-21)
4. Personally take God’s Word in before ministering (3:1-3)
5. Have a proper anger toward sin, but don’t minister when overwhelmed (3:14-15)
6. Speak only when God tell him to speak (3:24-27)