Heroes of Faith Session 19 - Ezekiel Cont'd

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 continue 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.” He lived during the time of the fall of Jerusalem and was among those who were exiled to Babylon. He was exiled in 597 BC.

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

Ezekiel, a prophet who stood firm in his faith during one of Israel's darkest periods. 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.  God directly commissioned Ezekiel to speak to stubborn and rebellious people. This wasn't an easy assignment!

But Ezekiel responded positively right away.  He didn’t make excuses .

He was responsible for delivering God's warnings to the people, whether they listened or not.

Ezekiel 3:24-27 NIV [24] Then the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said: “Go, shut yourself inside your house. [25] And you, son of man, they will tie with ropes; you will be bound so that you cannot go out among the people. [26] I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious people. [27] But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people.

This restriction served several purposes:

• It emphasized that Ezekiel's words were not his own, but solely God's.

• It underscored the people's stubbornness. They were so rebellious that even constant warnings might not have changed them.

• It allowed for Gods word to be pure, and unaltered by Ezekiel.

Ezekiel used symbolic acts to convey God's message, such as:

Lying on his side

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 numbers of days, 390 and 40, are symbolic and relate to the length of time that God has judged the two kingdoms.

Ezekiel is commanded to lie on his left side for 390 days, symbolizing the bearing of the sin of the house of Israel. This represents the long period of Israel's iniquity.

The 40 days he is to lay on his right side, represents the bearing of the sin of Judah.

The message emphasizes the severity of Israel's sins and the inevitability of God's judgment.The symbolic actions serve as a stark warning of the suffering and hardship that would befall the people.

This act conveys a powerful message of impending judgment and the weight of Israel's sin. 

Divine Judgment:

In some prophetic contexts, such as in Ezekiel, shaving the head was used as a symbolic act to represent God's judgment and the impending destruction of Israel.

Shaving his head 

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.

Ezekiel chapter 5, verses 1 through 4, presents a dramatic and symbolic picture of the judgments that would come upon Jerusalem. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:

The Shaving of the Hair:

God commands Ezekiel to take a sharp sword (or razor) and shave his head and beard. This act symbolized the utter humiliation and removal of the people of Jerusalem. In ancient cultures, hair was often a sign of glory and strength, so its removal represented disgrace.

Dividing the Hair:

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.

Symbolic Significance:

These actions communicate the severity and multifaceted nature of God's judgment.

The division of the hair illustrates that the people would experience various forms of destruction.

The use of scales emphasizes that God’s judgement is exact.

Packing for exile 

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 commanded by God to perform a symbolic act that conveys a very specific message. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

"A Rebellious House" (Verse 2):

This phrase characterizes the people of Israel. Despite having eyes and ears, they were spiritually blind and deaf, refusing to acknowledge God's warnings.

Packing for Exile (Verses 3-4):

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.

Digging Through the Wall (Verse 5):

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.

Covering His Face (Verse 6):

This action symbolized the confusion and distress of those being taken into exile, and potentially the fact that the king would be captured, and brought to Babylon, without seeing that land.

"A Sign to the House of Israel" (Verse 6):

Ezekiel's actions were not just a personal exercise; they were a visual prophecy, a sign to the people that what he was doing would soon happen to them.

The symbolic actions vividly portray the reality of the coming exile: the forced removal, the fear, and the desperation.

It also is a very specific prediction of how the king, and some of the people would attempt to flee Jerusalem.

2 Kings 25 and Jeremiah 39 & 52:

These chapters detail the siege and capture of Jerusalem by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar.

They describe how King Zedekiah attempted to flee the city at night, which aligns with Ezekiel's symbolic act of digging through the wall and carrying out his belongings at dusk.

These accounts also confirm Zedekiah's capture, his being brought to Babylon, and his being blinded, which directly corresponds to the prophecy of him being taken where he would not see.

Not mourning his wife's death 

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. 

The Loss:

God informs Ezekiel that "the delight of your eyes" (his wife) will be taken from him suddenly. This highlights the personal and emotional pain Ezekiel would experience.

The Command:

God commands Ezekiel not to mourn in the traditional ways. He is told not to:

• Weep aloud.

• Let his tears flow.

• Go through the typical mourning rituals.

Instead he is to put on his turban, and sandals, and not cover his lips, and not eat the bread of men. This would make him stand out to the people.

Symbolic Significance:

Ezekiel's personal grief is used as a powerful symbol of the coming grief of the people of Judah.

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.’

Heroes of Faith Session 18 - Ezekiel

 

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.

The last two weeks we talked about 6 New  Testament women that I call heroes of faith.  

1. Mary the Mother of Jesus

2. Mary Magdalene

3. Mary Lazarus sister

4. Priscilla

5. Tabitha (Dorcus)

6. Phoebe

This week our hero is 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 last two weeks we talked about 6 New  Testament women that I call heroes of faith.  

1. Mary the Mother of Jesus

2. Mary Magdalene

3. Mary Lazarus sister

4. Priscilla

5. Tabitha (Dorcus)

6. Phoebe

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

Ezekiel, a prophet who stood firm in his faith during one of Israel's darkest periods. 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.

The name Ezekiel, means “strengthened by God” or strength of God.” He lived during the time of the fall of Jerusalem and was among those who were exiled to Babylon. He was exiled in 597 BC, along with King Jehoiachin.

2 Kings 24:15-17 NIV [15] Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. He also took from Jerusalem to Babylon the king’s mother, his wives, his officials and the prominent people of the land. [16] The king of Babylon also deported to Babylon the entire force of seven thousand fighting men, strong and fit for war, and a thousand skilled workers and artisans. [17] He made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah. 

Based on historical and biblical accounts, Daniel and Ezekiel were contemporaries during the Babylonian exile, but they were taken to Babylon at different times:

• Daniel:

• Daniel was taken to Babylon in the first wave of deportations, which occurred earlier than Ezekiel's deportation.

• This first deportation happened during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II.

• Ezekiel:

• Ezekiel was taken to Babylon in a later deportation.

Therefore, while they lived during the same period of the Babylonian exile, they did not arrive in Babylon simultaneously.

Ezekiel 1:1-3 NIV [1] In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. [2] On the fifth of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin— [3] the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the Lord was on him.

This was eleven years before Jerusalem fell, and his prophetic ministry took place in the context of the exile. 

The fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians occurred around 587/586 BCE.

Ezekiel was a priest, the son of Buzi who was a priest. Ezekiel lived with other exiles at the river called Kebar. 

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

Ezekiel, a prophet who stood firm in his faith during one of Israel's darkest periods. 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 24:24 (NLT)  Ezekiel is an example for you; you will do just as he has done. And when that time comes, you will know that I am the LORD.”

Ezekiel's Call and Unwavering Obedience (Ezekiel 1-3):

God's Glory (Ezekiel 1:1-28):

Ezekiel's ministry began with a breathtaking vision of God's glory. 

Ezekiel 1:4-28 NIV [4] I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, [5] and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, [6] but each of them had four faces and four wings. [7] Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. [8] Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four of them had faces and wings, [9] and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved. [10] Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. [11] Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body. [12] Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went. [13] The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. [14] The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning. [15] As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. [16] This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. [17] As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went. [18] Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around. [19] When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. [20] Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. [21] When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. [22] Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome. [23] Under the vault their wings were stretched out one toward the other, and each had two wings covering its body. [24] When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings. [25] Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. [26] Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. [27] 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. [28] 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.

Here's what God said

Ezekiel 2:2-8 NIV[2] As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. [3] He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. [4] The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ [5] And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them. [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. [7] You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. [8] But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you.”

Imagine the sheer power and majesty he witnessed!

This vision was a powerful reminder that God was still in control, even in exile.

Commission and Challenge (Ezekiel 2:1-3:27):

God directly commissioned Ezekiel to speak to stubborn and rebellious people. This wasn't an easy assignment!

But Ezekiel responded positively right away.  He didn’t make excuses like Moses Jeremiah, or Gideon made

Moses questioned his own worthiness and ability to undertake such a monumental task. He felt inadequate to confront Pharaoh and lead the people.

Exodus 3:11 NIV But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

Moses worried about how he would explain God's authority to the Israelites. He wanted to know what name to use when they asked who had sent him.

Exodus 3:13 NIV Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

Moses expressed concern that the Israelites would not believe he had been sent by God.

Exodus 4:1 NIV Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”

Moses claimed he was not a skilled speaker and had difficulty expressing himself. He felt he lacked the necessary communication skills.

Exodus 4:10 NIV Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”

He finally asked God to choose someone else for the mission.

Exodus 4:13 NIV But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”

When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, he responded with

Jeremiah 1:6 NIV “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

When the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and commissioned him to save Israel, Gideon responded.

Judges 6:15 NIV “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

Ezekiel’s immediate obedience, despite the daunting task, exemplifies a strong faith.

He was asked to do some strange things.

He was responsible for delivering God's warnings to the people, whether they listened or not.

Ezekiel 3:17-19 NIV [17] “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. [18] When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. [19] But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.

He told Ezekiel to be a watchman but to only tell the people what He told him to tell them. 

Ezekiel 3:24-27 NIV [24] Then the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said: “Go, shut yourself inside your house. [25] And you, son of man, they will tie with ropes; you will be bound so that you cannot go out among the people. [26] I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious people. [27] But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people.

This restriction served several purposes:

• It emphasized that Ezekiel's words were not his own, but solely God's.

• It underscored the people's stubbornness. They were so rebellious that even constant warnings might not have changed them.

• It allowed for Gods word to be pure, and unaltered by Ezekiel.

The restriction was lifted when news of Jerusalem's fall arrived. This event marked a significant shift, and Ezekiel was then able to speak more freely.

 Ezekiel 33:21-22 NIV [21] In the twelfth year of our exile, in the tenth month on the fifth day, a man who had escaped from Jerusalem came to me and said, “The city has fallen!” [22] Now the evening before the man arrived, the hand of the Lord was on me, and he opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer silent.

Ezekiel's unwavering proclamation of God's word, even when rejected, demonstrates his deep faith and commitment.

III. Creative Expression of Faith Through Symbolic Acts (Ezekiel 4-5, 12, 24):

Symbolic Acts (Ezekiel 4-5, 12, 24):

Ezekiel used symbolic acts to convey God's message, such as:

Lying on his side

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 numbers of days, 390 and 40, are symbolic and relate to the length of time that God has judged the two kingdoms.

Ezekiel is commanded to lie on his left side for 390 days, symbolizing the bearing of the sin of the house of Israel. This represents the long period of Israel's iniquity.

The 40 days he is to lay on his right side, represents the bearing of the sin of Judah.

The message emphasizes the severity of Israel's sins and the inevitability of God's judgment. The symbolic actions serve as a stark warning of the suffering and hardship that would befall the people.

This act conveys a powerful message of impending judgment and the weight of Israel's sin. 

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