Bible Book of Ezekiel | Visions of God's Glory
Visions of God's departing and returning glory, with prophecies of restoration and a new heart for His people. Ezekiel chapters with summary and commentary.
Genre: Major Prophet. Theme: Visions of God's Glory
- Author: Ezekiel
- Date: c. 593-571 BC
- Read Time: 225 mins
- Purpose: To show God's glory and promise restoration.
- Key Verse: Ezek 36:26 - A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.
- Christ: The Good Shepherd and Temple of God.
- Audience: Exiles in Babylon struggling with the apparent loss of God's presence
- Visions: Vision of Dry Bones and Chariot of God.
- Glory Departure: The chilling vision of God's presence leaving the Temple due to its defilement.
- Sign Acts: The prophet's use of bizarre street theater (laying on his side, eating scroll) as visual sermons.
Ezekiel shows that God is not tied to a building; His glory is a mobile chariot that can dwell with His people even in exile.
The book is perfectly symmetrical: Judgment on Israel (1-24), the Nations (25-32), and Restoration (33-48).
Jesus is the Good Shepherd (Ch. 34) and the Source of the Living Water flowing from the New Temple.
Ezekiel 1 - Ezekiel in Babylon
I saw visions of God. Out of a storm came four creatures. I saw wheels within wheels. Above them was a throne and the figure of a man.
Ezekiel 2 - Ezekiel's Call
He said to me: "Son of man, stand up." The Spirit entered me. He said: "I send you to rebel Israel." Before me was a scroll of woe.
Ezekiel 3 - A Watchman for Israel
He said to me: "Israel will not listen." I came to the exiles. The LORD said: "I have made you a watchman. I will open your mouth."
Ezekiel 4 - The Siege of Jerusalem Symbolized
"Son of man, take clay and draw Jerusalem. Then lie on your side. You shall bear the punishment of Israel. Cook your bread over dung."
Ezekiel 5 - Jerusalem Will Be Destroyed
"Son of man, shave your head. Jerusalem has rebelled. A third shall die of famine, a third by the sword and a third I will scatter."
Ezekiel 6 - Judgment Against Idolatry
"Son of man, prophesy against the mountains of Jerusalem. The slain shall lie among their idols. They will know that I am the LORD."
Ezekiel 7 - The Day of the Wrath of the Lord
"The end has come! I will punish you for all your abominations. Silver and gold cannot deliver. The people of the land will tremble."
Ezekiel 8 - Abominations in the Temple
The Spirit lifted me up. "Son of man, see what they do. Elders burn incense to idols. Women weep for Tammuz. Men worship the sun."
Ezekiel 9 - Idolaters Killed
He cried, "Bring the executioners." Six men came. "Kill old and young, but do not touch those with the mark. I will not have pity."
Ezekiel 10 - The Glory of the Lord Leaves the Temple
He told the man in linen: "Take fire from between the wheels." Each wheel had four faces. The glory of the LORD left the temple.
Ezekiel 11 - Judgment on Wicked Counselors
The Spirit said: "These men plot evil." I said: "Will you destroy the remnant?" The LORD said: "I will put a new spirit within them."
Ezekiel 12 - Judah's Captivity Symbolized
"Son of man, they are a rebellious house. Bring out your baggage like an exile. I will disperse them. My word will not be delayed."
Ezekiel 13 - False Prophets Condemned
"Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit. I will send a storm in my wrath. Woe to the women who sew magic charms."
Ezekiel 14 - Idolatry Will Be Punished
The elders came to me. The LORD said: "They have set up idols in their hearts. Even Noah, Daniel and Job would only save themselves."
Ezekiel 15 - Jerusalem, a Useless Vine
"Son of man, is wood taken from the vine to make anything? I have given it to the fire for fuel. So I have given up Jerusalem."
Ezekiel 16 - The Lord's Faithless Bride
"Jerusalem, I made you flourish. But you played the whore. I will gather your lovers against you. Yet I will remember my covenant."
Ezekiel 17 - Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine
"An eagle planted a vine but it grew towards another eagle. Israel rebelled against Babylon with Egypt. I myself will plant a cedar."
Ezekiel 18 - The Soul Who Sins Shall Die
"If a man is righteous, he shall live. If a son is violent, he shall die. I will judge each according to his ways. Repent and live!"
Ezekiel 19 - A Lament for the Princes of Israel
"Lament for the princes of Israel: A lioness had cubs. One was taken to Egypt, another to Babylon. A vine was stripped of its fruit."
Ezekiel 20 - Israel's Continuing Rebellion
"I led Israel out of Egypt. They did not walk in my law. I withheld my hand for my name's sake. You will know that I am the LORD."
Ezekiel 21 - The Sword of the Lord
"Son of man, prophesy against Israel. A sword is sharpened! Mark the way for the king of Babylon. A ruin, ruin, ruin I will make it."
Ezekiel 22 - Israel's Shedding of Blood
"A city that sheds blood. In you they oppress orphans and widows. Israel has become dross to me. I will pour out my wrath upon them."
Ezekiel 23 - Oholah and Oholibah the immoral sisters
"Two sisters: Samaria and Jerusalem. Oholah lusted after her lovers. Oholibah was worse in whoring. Bring an army and cut them down."
Ezekiel 24 - The Siege of Jerusalem
"Put meat into the pot. Woe to the bloody city!" My wife died. The LORD said: "I will profane my sanctuary. Ezekiel will be a sign."
Ezekiel 25 - Prophecy Against Ammon
"To the Ammonites: You jeered at Israel so I will destroy you. I will judge Moab. I will lay vengeance upon Edom and Philistia."
Ezekiel 26 - Prophecy Against Tyre
"Tyre jeered at Jerusalem so I will make her a bare rock. Nebuchadnezzar will lay siege to you. I will bring you to a dreadful end."
Ezekiel 27 - A Lament for Tyre
"Lament for Tyre: Of oaks they made your oars. Tarshish, Dedan, Judah and Damascus traded with you. Now you are wrecked by the seas."
Ezekiel 28 - Prophecy against the King of Tyre
"To the king of Tyre: You were perfect in Eden. You became proud. I cast you to the ground. There will be no more thorns for Israel."
Ezekiel 29 - Prophecy Against Egypt
"I am against you, Pharaoh, the great dragon. Egypt will never again rule the nations. Nebuchadnezzar will carry off its wealth."
Ezekiel 30 - A Lament for Egypt
"A sword will come upon Egypt. Those who support her will fall. Nebuchadnezzar will destroy the land. I will break Pharaoh's arms."
Ezekiel 31 - Pharaoh to Be Slain
"Assyria was a cedar. It towered above the trees. Its heart was proud. Foreigners have cut it down. This is Pharaoh and his hordes."
Ezekiel 32 - A Lament over Pharaoh and Egypt
"Lament for Pharaoh: You are a dragon in the seas. The sword of Babylon will come upon you. Elam and Edom are laid with the slain."
Ezekiel 33 - Ezekiel Is Israel's Watchman
"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for Israel." Jerusalem was struck down. The LORD says: "I have made the land a desolation."
Ezekiel 34 - Prophecy Against the Shepherds of Israel
"Woe to the shepherds of Israel! They did not feed my flock. I myself will seek my sheep. My servant David will be their shepherd."
Ezekiel 35 - Prophecy Against Mount Seir
"Son of man, prophesy against Mount Seir: Because you delivered Israel to the sword, blood will pursue you. You will be desolate."
Ezekiel 36 - Prophecy to the Mountains of Israel
"Prophesy to the mountains of Israel: I will make you inhabited again. I will vindicate my name. I will put my Spirit within you."
Ezekiel 37 - The Dry Bones Live
The LORD said: "Prophesy to the bones." The bones became an army. The LORD said: "Join two sticks. I will join Ephraim and Judah."
Ezekiel 38 - Prophecy Against Gog
"Son of man, prophesy against Gog: You will come against my people. My jealousy will be roused. I will summon a sword against Gog."
Ezekiel 39 - The Lord Will Restore Israel
"I am against you, O Gog. I will give you a burial place in Israel. Gather the birds for a feast. Now I will have mercy on Jacob."
Ezekiel 40 - Vision of the New Temple
In visions the LORD brought me to a temple. He brought me through the gates to the inner court. There were tables for the offerings.
Ezekiel 41 - The Inner Temple
He measured the nave and the inner room. The side chambers were in three storeys. In front of the Holy Place was an altar of wood.
Ezekiel 42 - The Temple's Chambers
He led me to the outer court. The north and south chambers are where the priests eat the offerings. He measured all the temple area.
Ezekiel 43 - The Glory of the Lord Fills the Temple
The glory of the LORD filled the temple. He said: "Son of man, describe the temple to Israel. The priests shall cleanse the altar."
Ezekiel 44 - The Gate for the Prince
"No foreigner shall enter my sanctuary. The sons of Zadok shall minister to me. They shall distinguish between the holy and unholy."
Ezekiel 45 - The Holy District
"Set apart a holy district for the LORD. The prince shall have land on each side. You shall have honest scales. Celebrate Passover."
Ezekiel 46 - The Prince and the Feasts
"The prince shall bring offerings on the Sabbaths and New Moons. You shall offer a lamb daily." In the four corners were kitchens.
Ezekiel 47 - Water Flowing from the Temple
Water was flowing from the temple. He led me in until it was too deep to cross. The LORD says: "Divide the land among the tribes."
Ezekiel 48 - The Gates of the City
"Set a portion for each tribe. Adjoining Judah shall be the portion for the LORD. The name of the city shall be, The LORD Is There."