The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is now studying the heroes of faith found in the Bible. In Hebrews 11, we find a remarkable chapter that introduces us to a cloud of witnesses, individuals who exemplified extraordinary faith. However our study will go beyond Hebrews 11 and include the lives of others that are examples of the blessings of having faith in God. We will also talk about other people that exhibited extraordinary faith, some of them are people we may know.
Throughout this Bible study, we will delve into the lives of these individuals, examining the specific trials they endured, the faith principles they embraced, and the lessons we can learn from their examples. Our goal is not merely to admire their accomplishments but to understand the underlying principles that fueled their faith and to apply those principles to our own lives.
This week we are going to complete the study of our hero the Prophet Ezekiel. The name Ezekiel, means “strengthened by God” or strength of God.”
Hebrews 11:6 NIV And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
The name Ezekiel, means “strengthened by God” or strength of God.”
Ezekiel, a prophet who stood firm in his faith during one of Israel's darkest periods. He lived during the time of the fall of Jerusalem and was among those who were exiled to Babylon.
Imagine being exiled, and tasked with delivering a message of both judgment and hope. That was Ezekiel's reality. He's often called the prophet of judgment and promise, and his life serves as a powerful example of unwavering commitment to God.
Ezekiel is one of the more colorful—some would say bizarre—characters in the Bible because God intended Ezekiel to give a message to Israel by means of the experiences in his life.
In the last couple of weeks we have talked about some of those experiences. The first one was the vision he saw
Ezekiel 1:1-6 NKJV [1] Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the River Chebar, that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. [2] On the fifth day of the month, which was in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, [3] the word of the Lord came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was upon him there. [4] Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire. [5] Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. [6] Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings.
We’re not going to read the entire thing today because we’ve talked about it and I said that having seen this vision Ezekiel never hesitated in doing or saying what the Lord told him to do or say. He warned Ezekiel that he would be preaching to rebellious people but to do it anyway.
God told Ezekiel that he was to be a watchman. This metaphor carries a profound meaning, outlining Ezekiel's role and responsibilities towards his people.
Ezekiel 3:17-19 NLT [17] “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. [18] If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths. [19] If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.
Just as a watchman on a city wall was responsible for looking out for danger and warning the citizens, Ezekiel was tasked with being a spiritual guardian for Israel. He was to be alert to the dangers of sin and disobedience and warn the people of the impending consequences.
Ezekiel's primary duty was to deliver God's messages to the people, regardless of whether they were messages of warning, judgment, or hope. He was to speak God's words faithfully and without compromise.
God held Ezekiel accountable for the lives of the people. If he failed to warn them of the dangers they faced, and they perished as a result, God would hold him responsible. This emphasized the seriousness of his calling and the importance of fulfilling his duty.
Here are some of the things that God had Ezekiel do to show the judgement that was coming on the people because of their disobedience.
Ezekiel was instructed to lie on his left side for 390 days.
Then, he was to lie on his right side for 40 days.
Ezekiel 4:1-8 NIV [1] “Now, son of man, take a block of clay, put it in front of you and draw the city of Jerusalem on it. [2] Then lay siege to it: Erect siege works against it, build a ramp up to it, set up camps against it and put battering rams around it. [3] Then take an iron pan, place it as an iron wall between you and the city and turn your face toward it. It will be under siege, and you shall besiege it. This will be a sign to the people of Israel. [4] “Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the people of Israel upon yourself. You are to bear their sin for the number of days you lie on your side. [5] I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin. So for 390 days you will bear the sin of the people of Israel. [6] “After you have finished this, lie down again, this time on your right side, and bear the sin of the people of Judah. I have assigned you 40 days, a day for each year. [7] Turn your face toward the siege of Jerusalem and with bared arm prophesy against her. [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.
The 390 days on his left side represented the years of sin committed by the northern kingdom of Israel. The 40 days on his right side represented the sins of the southern kingdom of Judah. By lying on his side, Ezekiel was symbolically "bearing" the iniquity of the people.
While laying on his side he was to look at a picture of the city of Jerusalem and build a representation of how the enemy would lay siege to the city.
They were meant to emphasize the severity of God's judgment against the people's disobedience.
The actions that Ezekiel performed were to be a visual representation of the conditions that would be placed upon the people of Jerusalem during the coming siege.
To show the seriousness of God's judgement.
In essence, God used Ezekiel's actions as a dramatic and unforgettable way to communicate his message of judgment and call the people to repentance.
Then he was to shave his head in a symbolic act to represent God's judgment and the impending destruction of Israel.
Ezekiel 5:1-4 NIV [1] “Now, son of man, take a sharp sword and use it as a barber’s razor to shave your head and your beard. Then take a set of scales and divide up the hair. [2] When the days of your siege come to an end, burn a third of the hair inside the city. Take a third and strike it with the sword all around the city. And scatter a third to the wind. For I will pursue them with drawn sword. [3] But take a few hairs and tuck them away in the folds of your garment. [4] Again, take a few of these and throw them into the fire and burn them up. A fire will spread from there to all Israel.
This act symbolized the utter humiliation and removal of the people of Jerusalem. In ancient cultures, hair was often a sign of Ezekiel is then instructed to divide the shaved hair into three portions and treat each portion differently:
One-third is to be burned in the midst of the city: This represents those who would die by famine and pestilence within the besieged city.
One-third is to be struck with the sword around the city: This symbolizes those who would be killed by the sword outside the city walls.
One-third is to be scattered to the wind: This signifies the dispersion of those who would be scattered among the nations.
The Remnant:
A small portion of the scattered hair is to be bound in Ezekiel's garment, representing a remnant. However, even from this small remnant, some are to be burned, showing that even those who escaped would still face God's judgment.
Then he told Ezekiel to do something else strange.
Ezekiel 12:1-6 NIV[1] The word of the Lord came to me: [2] “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people. [3] “Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious people. [4] During the daytime, while they watch, bring out your belongings packed for exile. Then in the evening, while they are watching, go out like those who go into exile. [5] While they watch, dig through the wall and take your belongings out through it. [6] Put them on your shoulder as they are watching and carry them out at dusk. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign to the Israelites.”
Ezekiel is instructed to pack his belongings as if he were going into exile, doing so in broad daylight where everyone could see. This symbolized the imminent forced removal of the people from their land.
The act of digging through the wall and carrying his belongings out at dusk represented the secret and desperate escape that the king and some of the people would attempt.
God also told Ezekiel that his wife, the love of his life, would die but he was not to mourn in the traditional way.
Ezekiel 24:15-18 NIV [15] The word of the Lord came to me: [16] “Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears. [17] Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban fastened and your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache and beard or eat the customary food of mourners.” [18] So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.
He is to put on his turban, and sandals, and not cover his lips, and not eat when the folk brought him food. This would make him stand out to the people.
Just as Ezekiel was forbidden to express his sorrow, the people would be so overwhelmed by the destruction of Jerusalem that they would be unable to properly mourn.
Ezekiel 24:21-24 NIV [21] Say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary—the stronghold in which you take pride, the delight of your eyes, the object of your affection. The sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword. [22] And you will do as I have done. You will not cover your mustache and beard or eat the customary food of mourners. [23] You will keep your turbans on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep but will waste away because of your sins and groan among yourselves. [24] Ezekiel will be a sign to you; you will do just as he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.’
Essentially, God was using Ezekiel's personal tragedy to illustrate the magnitude of the impending national tragedy.
Ezekiel's willingness to perform these unusual acts shows his complete trust in God and his dedication to communicating God's message.
We’ve been talking about God’s judgement of Israel but amidst the messages of judgment, Ezekiel also proclaimed a message of hope and restoration.
Message of Hope
Ezekiel 36:16-24 NLT [16] Then this further message came to me from the Lord: [17] “Son of man, when the people of Israel were living in their own land, they defiled it by the evil way they lived. To me their conduct was as unclean as a woman’s menstrual cloth. [18] They polluted the land with murder and the worship of idols, so I poured out my fury on them. [19] I scattered them to many lands to punish them for the evil way they had lived. [20] But when they were scattered among the nations, they brought shame on my holy name. For the nations said, ‘These are the people of the Lord, but he couldn’t keep them safe in his own land!’ [21] Then I was concerned for my holy name, on which my people brought shame among the nations. [22] “Therefore, give the people of Israel this message from the Sovereign Lord: I am bringing you back, but not because you deserve it. I am doing it to protect my holy name, on which you brought shame while you were scattered among the nations. [23] I will show how holy my great name is—the name on which you brought shame among the nations. And when I reveal my holiness through you before their very eyes, says the Sovereign Lord, then the nations will kn ow that I am the Lord. [24] For I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land[25] I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. [26] I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. [28] Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. [29] I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. [30] I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine. [31] Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. [32] I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!
Ezekiel is then given a vision that everybody, even unbelievers have heard of the valley of dry bones. God in this vision shows Ezeliel and the people that he gives this vision to that restoration occurs only by the power of God let’s read it.
Ezekiel 37:1-14 NIV [1] The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. [2] He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. [3] He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” [4] Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! [5] This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. [6] I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ” [7] So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. [8] I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. [9] Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ ” [10] So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. [11] Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ [12] Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. [13] Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. [14] I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’ ”
The dry bones symbolize the utter hopelessness and spiritual death of the exiled Israelites. They felt as though their nation was dead and beyond recovery.
The vision emphasizes God's power to bring life from death and to restore what seems lost. God's Spirit is the source of life and renewal. This prophecy is primarily about the restoration of the nation of Israel, both physically and spiritually. It is a promise that God will regather his people.
Ezekiel's prophecies of restoration demonstrate that his faith extended beyond judgment, encompassing hope and a future with God.
Ezekiel’s dedication to fulfilling his role as a watchman, despite the risks, highlights his faithfulness and love for God and his people.
Ezekiel 33:1-9 NIV [1] The word of the Lord came to me: [2] “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, [3] and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, [4] then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. [5] Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. [6] But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’ [7] “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. [8] When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. [9] But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.
Conclusion:
Ezekiel’s life is a powerful testament to unwavering faith and obedience. He faced immense challenges, yet he remained committed to his calling. We can learn so much from his example: obedience, perseverance, and hope. Remember, Ezekiel is an example for us
Ezekiel 24:24 NIV [24] Ezekiel will be a sign to you; you will do just as he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.’
Ezekiel stands as a hero of faith through his unwavering obedience to God's often difficult and bizarre commands. He endured profound personal suffering, like the loss of his wife, and performed shocking symbolic acts, such as lying on his side for extended periods, all to convey God's message to rebellious people. He faced rejection and disbelief, yet remained steadfast in his prophetic calling, even when it meant personal hardship and public ridicule.
Ezekiel's faithfulness in proclaiming God's word, even in the face of immense adversity, and his unwavering belief in God's promises of restoration, even when all seemed lost, solidifies his place as a powerful example of faith.
Ezekiel 5:15 NLT [15] You will become an object of mockery and taunting and horror. You will be a warning to all the nations around you. They will see what happens when the Lord punishes a nation in anger and rebukes it, says the Lord.
Like Ezekiel, we are often called to be obedient evenwhen we don't understand or when it's difficult. This means trusting God's plan, even when it seems strange or painful.
Ezekiel was faithful to his prophetic calling, even when it was unpopular. We should strive to be faithful to the calling God has placed on our lives, whether it's in our work, family, or community.
The vision of the dry bones reminds us that God can bring life and restoration to even the most hopeless situations. We can hold onto hope, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Ezekiel's prophecies demonstrate the power of God's word to bring about change. We should prioritize reading and studying the Bible, allowing God's word to guide and transform our lives.
Ezekiel's unusual actions were a visible sign to those around him. We too should live in a way that points others to God, even if it means being different from the world around us.
Ezekiel shows us that God is in control, even when the world seems to be falling apart. We can find peace and security in knowing that God is sovereign.
