Class Notes:

COMING SOON

• Ezekiel is called the “sign prophet” or “illustrative prophet.”
• His ministry included:
  • Parables
  • Symbolic actions
  • Visions
  • Dramatic illustrations
• Main purpose:
  • To show Israel their sin
  • To warn of judgment
  • To reveal God’s sovereignty
  • To promise future restoration

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I. Parables in Ezekiel

A. Parable of the Eagles and the Vine (Ezekiel 17:1–24)

Key Symbols

• Great eagle = Babylon
• Cedar tree = Davidic kingdom
• Vine = Judah under Babylon
• Second eagle = Egypt

Main Point

• Judah trusted Egypt instead of trusting God.
• Zedekiah rebelled against Babylon and broke covenant.
• Egypt could not save Judah from Babylon.

Messianic Hope

• God promises to plant a tender sprig on a high mountain.
• This points ultimately to:
  • The restoration of David’s line
  • The coming Messiah

Important Lesson

• God humbles the proud and exalts the lowly.

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B. Parable of the Lion Cubs (Ezekiel 19:1–9)

Main Imagery

• Lioness = Israel/Judah
• Cubs = Wicked kings
• One cub taken to Egypt
• One cub taken to Babylon

Main Point

• Judah’s rulers became corrupt and violent.
• God judged them through foreign nations.

Historical Emphasis

• Egypt lost its national power after Babylon’s rise.

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II. The Proverb of Sour Grapes (Ezekiel 18)

The Proverb

“The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”

What the People Meant

• Israel blamed previous generations for their suffering.

God’s Response

“The soul who sins shall die.”

Main Teaching

• Every person is responsible for his own sin.
• Individuals cannot blame parents or previous generations.

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Important Themes in Ezekiel 18

Personal Responsibility

• Righteous person lives
• Wicked person dies
• Each person answers to God individually

Idolatry = Spiritual Adultery

• Israel belonged to God covenantally.
• Their idol worship was spiritual unfaithfulness.

Sabbath Violations

• Israel repeatedly violated God’s Sabbaths.
• The exile was connected to covenant disobedience.

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III. Israel’s Rebellion Through History (Ezekiel 20)

Israel Rebelled:

1. In Egypt
2. In the Wilderness
3. In Canaan
4. In Ezekiel’s own day

Repeated Phrase

“I acted for My name’s sake.”

Main Point

• God judged Israel because they profaned His name among the nations.

Key Lesson

• God’s people are meant to reflect His holiness.

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IV. Ezekiel’s Symbolic Actions (Ezekiel 21)

A. Groaning and Sighing

Meaning:

• Jerusalem would melt in fear when Babylon came.

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B. The Sword Illustration

Symbol:

• Babylon as God’s instrument of judgment

Main Point:

• The royal line would fall.
• Jerusalem would be devastated.

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C. Clapping Hands / Slashing Motion

Meaning:

• Judgment was certain and unavoidable.

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D. The Fork in the Road

Meaning:

• Babylon would destroy Jerusalem first, then Ammon.

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V. Signs in Ezekiel 24

A. The Boiling Pot

Symbolism

• Pot = Jerusalem
• Meat/scum = Corruption and sin

Main Point

• God would consume and judge Jerusalem completely.

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B. Ezekiel’s Wife Dies

God’s Command

• Ezekiel was not allowed to mourn publicly.

Meaning

• Israel would lose the temple suddenly.
• The people would be stunned into silence.

Key Lesson

• God’s judgment had become unavoidable.

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VI. Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37)

The Vision

• Ezekiel sees a valley full of dry bones.
• God asks:

“Can these bones live?”

Ezekiel’s Response

“O Lord God, You know.”

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Meaning of the Vision

Primary Meaning

• Israel would not permanently perish in exile.
• God would restore His people.

Spiritual Emphasis

• Only God can give life to the dead.

New Testament Connection

• Spiritual resurrection
• Salvation by God’s power alone
• Ephesians 2 imagery:
  • Dead in trespasses and sins
  • Made alive by God

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VII. Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38–39)

Key Idea

• Hostile Gentile nations gather against God’s people.

Themes

• Final opposition to God
• God’s ultimate victory
• The nations are defeated by the Lord

Connection

• Related to end-times judgment imagery.

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VIII. Ezekiel’s Temple Vision (Ezekiel 40–48)

Difficult Passage

• One of the most debated sections in prophecy.

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Three Major Themes

1. A New Temple

• Described like a city
• Symbolic of God dwelling among His people

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2. A New Worship

• Spiritual and priestly

Romans 12:1 Connection

Believers are living sacrifices.

Important Point

• Christ’s sacrifice is final.
• No future animal sacrifices can replace or memorialize Christ’s finished work.

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3. A New Land

• Vast inheritance for God’s people
• Connected to:
  • New Heaven
  • New Earth

Emphasis

Worship centers on God Himself, not merely a location.