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Topic:
The Book Of Ezekiel -- A Brief Overview
The book of Ezekiel consists mainly of three groups of prophecies.
After an account of his call to the prophetical office (1-3:21), Ezekiel
(1) utters words of denunciation against the Jews (3:22-24), warning
them of the certain destruction of Jerusalem, in opposition to the words
of the false prophets (4:1-3). The symbolical acts, by which the
extremities to which Jerusalem would be reduced are described in ch.
4,5, show his intimate acquaintance with the Levitical legislation.
(2.) Prophecies against various surrounding nations: against the
Ammonites (Ezek. 25:1-7), the Moabites (8-11), the Edomites (12-14), the
Philistines (15-17), Tyre and Sidon (26-28), and against Egypt (29-32).
(3.) Prophecies delivered after the destruction of Jerusalem by
Nebuchadnezzar: the triumphs of Israel and of the kingdom of God on
earth (Ezek. 33-39); Messianic times, and the establishment and
prosperity of the kingdom of God (40;48). The closing visions of this
book are referred to in the book of Revelation (Ezek. 38=Rev. 20:8;
Ezek. 47:1-8=Rev. 22:1,2). Other references to this book are also found
in the New Testament. (Comp. Rom. 2:24 with Ezek. 36:2; Rom. 10:5, Gal.
3:12 with Ezek. 20:11; 2 Pet. 3:4 with Ezek. 12:22.) It may be noted
that Daniel, fourteen years after his deportation from Jerusalem, is
mentioned by Ezekiel (14:14) along with Noah and Job as distinguished
for his righteousness, and some five years later he is spoken of as
pre-eminent for his wisdom (28:3). Ezekiel's prophecies are
characterized by symbolical and allegorical representations,
"unfolding a rich series of majestic visions and of colossal
symbols." There are a great many also of "symbolcal actions
embodying vivid conceptions on the part of the prophet" (4:1-4;
5:1-4; 12:3-6; 24:3-5; 37:16, etc.) "The mode of representation, in
which symbols and allegories occupy a prominent place, gives a dark,
mysterious character to the prophecies of Ezekiel. They are obscure and
enigmatical. A cloudy mystery overhangs them which it is almost
impossible to penetrate. Jerome calls the book 'a labyrith of the
mysteries of God.' It was because of this obscurity that the Jews
forbade any one to read it till he had attained the age of thirty."
Ezekiel is singular in the frequency with which he refers to the
Pentateuch (e.g., Ezek. 27; 28:13; 31:8; 36:11, 34; 47:13, etc.). He
shows also an acquaintance with the writings of Hosea (Ezek. 37:22),
Isaiah (Ezek. 8:12; 29:6), and especially with those of Jeremiah, his
older contemporary (Jer. 24:7, 9; 48:37).
From: Easton's Bible Dictionary. Fair Use. Presented for educational
purposes only.
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