The 365 Day Devotional Commentary

Ezekiel

INTRODUCTION

The Prophet Ezekiel ministered to the exiles in Babylon. His carefully dated prophecies fall between 593 B.C. and 585 B.C. In poetry and in prose rich in allegory, parable, proverb, and prophetic vision, Ezekiel echoed Jeremiah’s call for submission to Babylon. Serving as a watchman, called to give warning of impending danger, the prophet uttered a series of dark predictions concerning Jerusalem’s sin and fall. These ceased when that city fell in 586 B.C., and were replaced by promises of hope for the future. In the first half of the book the theme of Ezekiel’s messages is seen in his review of the moral and religious history of Israel; in the second the theme of hope is expressed in visions of Israel’s restoration and future worship. Three additional themes with particular relevance to today are also woven throughout Ezekiel. These themes are the nature of God, the purpose of divine judgment, and each individual’s personal responsibility for his or her own actions.

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

I.	Ezekiel’s Call	Ezek. 1–3
II.	Judah’s Judgment	Ezek. 4–24
	A. A watchman’s warnings	Ezek. 4–7
	B. God’s glory departs	Ezek. 8–11
	C. Excuses condemned	Ezek. 12–19
	D. Leadership’s faults	Ezek. 20–24
III.	Foreign Nations’ Fate	Ezek. 25–33
IV.	Future Blessings	Ezek. 34–48
	A. Restoration of Judah	Ezek. 34–39
	B. Restoration of worship	Ezek. 40–48