We don’t really have snow–yet. And I could count on less than ten fingers the number of sunrises I’ve seen this year (although there have been a few). Photos like this remind us God is faithful through it all. Ezekiel’s writing invites us to read slowly, study, pause, savor, and delight in God’s Word and its rich treasure. 
Welcome back! To those who are new, thank you for joining us as we read through Ezekiel. We spent all of 2024 reading and made it not quite halfway through this lengthy prophetic message from God and His spokesman, Ezekiel. This is a good time to review what we’ve learned.
Without checking commentators, I’ve identified at least three themes in Ezekiel’s writing.
- Know God.
- God always keeps a remnant for Himself.
- God’s Spirit is active.
The review notes that follow summarize reading Ezekiel 1-16 … (If you want to review these points in context, the original posts are here on the website.
- Last year, my “word” for the year was Know, as in know God better. I wanted to explore one of Ezekiel’s themes, then they will know that I am the Lord. The word for “know” in this book means to experience.
- Often Ezekiel used a word for God that reflects His eternal nature, I AM.
- The word Ezekiel used for “idol” in his warnings to Israel is always plural. When we heed God’s Word to consider what we place ahead of God, we would do well to recognize more than one “idol” may hinder God’s work in our lives.
- Through God’s judgments on Israel, He reserved a remnant for Himself. Preservation as a remnant didn’t necessarily exclude those people from the consequences of judgment for Israel’s sin.
*What does God’s name I AM mean to you?
*What is significant about God’s remnant?
- Ezekiel described his visions of God’s glory, which aligns with what I’ve been reading and learning the second half of 2024: as those who are made in the image of God, our purpose is to bring glory to Him.
- God gave Ezekiel the opportunity to partake of His Word and enjoy its sweetness. A reminder for us to assimilate God’s Word into our hearts and lives.
- God called Ezekiel to do difficult things. For example, God called his prophet to act out prophetic scenes. Through it all, Ezekiel listened to and obeyed God.
- God instructed Ezekiel to share visions, drama, parables, and allegory with his readers. Wow.
- More than once, Ezekiel waited and experienced silence before God spoke.
*What does it mean to wait in silence before the Lord?
*How can we partake of God’s Word more this year?
Reviewing week after week of study in Ezekiel highlights a story beyond the surface. More than describing God’s judgment on Israel, encouraging exiles with promises of future blessings, and emphasizing God’s glory and His character,1 this message revealed Ezekiel’s relationship with God. Worth another study (when we finally make it through this first read!) to observe and learn from Ezekiel how to have a close relationship with God!
Once we began reading Ezekiel’s descriptions of God’s judgments, a deeper look reveals fascinating truth about God as Father and Lord of His people.
- God’s judgments have purpose.
- God takes idol worship personally, as we take offense when someone betrays us.
- Idol worship (or self-pursuit) leads us astray from God, into desolate wilderness places.
- Sin leads us into darkness, but God calls us into His wonderful light.
- He wants His people to learn to grieve their sin and idol worship and turn back to Him.
- God pursues His people and offers second chances.
- He calls us to listen for His voice, and He leads us and guides us.
- God uses refining fire to lead us to confession, cleansing, and a pure, holy walk with Him.
*How has God’s Spirit shone the light of truth from His Word into Your life?
- God’s Word assures us that left to our sin nature and disobedience, we all fall short of righteousness, the ability to stand before a holy God.
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
- We read His Word and rejoice in His offer of redeeming love.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! … This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 3:1; 4:9-10).
- Ezekiel’s writing included the concepts of sin as a stumbling block in our lives, God’s solid foundation, repentance, and God’s faithfulness and promises for His people.
- God offers rebirth, refuge, and a covenant relationship to those who choose to follow Him.
*Which concept(s) from Ezekiel have you found most meaningful and why?
That ellipsis after Chapters 1-16… the way the calendar fell, we left off reading halfway through chapter 16. And you don’t want to know how many chapters are in the book of Ezekiel. ~
As encouragement that God’s Word is rich and glorious beyond our imagination, we’ll close with Paul’s doxology to believers living in Rome.
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen (Romans 11:33-36).
What will we learn from God’s Word as we read and study in the coming weeks? I’m excited to experience the Spirit’s “flashlight” and discover along with you! (let’s hope I also find new photos for illustration… )
- Warren Baker, D.R.E., General Editor. The Complete Word Study Old Testament (King James Version). (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1994) 1963.