Day 239 (Ezekiel 1-4)

Summary

In this episode of The Bible Recap, host Tara Lee Cobble explores the book of Ezekiel, a major prophet exiled to Babylon. Ezekiel, originally from the line of priests, is called by God to serve as a prophet. The episode delves into his vivid visions, including cherubim, and the unique ways God communicates with him, such as through eating a scroll. Cobble reflects on Ezekiel's challenging mission to warn rebellious Israel and emphasizes the significance of God's intentional design for each individual's personality and purpose.

Takeaways

• 📖 The book of Ezekiel is a major prophetic book in the Bible with 48 chapters, detailing Ezekiel's prophecies which began in 593 BC.
• 🔮 Ezekiel's first vision as a prophet is described in chapter one, where he sees a storm cloud, living creatures with four wings and faces, and a throne with God's presence.
• 👤 Ezekiel, a priest by lineage, was called by God to serve as a prophet during his exile in Babylon, despite not being able to serve in the temple in Jerusalem.
• 🌐 God's plans, as conveyed through Ezekiel, are focused on helping His people to know Him better, with the recurring phrase 'then they will know that I am the Lord'.
• 📜 The scroll Ezekiel eats symbolizes the word of God, which he is to speak to the people of Israel, despite their rebellious nature.
• 🤔 Ezekiel's detailed descriptions, even when challenging to articulate, serve to help the reader understand the divine visions and messages he receives.
• 🔗 The spirit's actions in the narrative, such as lifting Ezekiel and entering into him, are significant and rare in the Old Testament, foreshadowing the Spirit's work in the New Testament.
• 🚫 Ezekiel's muteness and confinement are symbolic of the spiritual state of the exiles and serve as a physical manifestation of their spiritual condition.
• 🕰 The duration of Ezekiel's symbolic actions, such as lying on his sides for a total of nearly 14 months, represents the long-term suffering of the exiles.
• 🍽 The rationing of food and water, and the prohibition against using human dung for cooking, are part of the symbolic actions that reflect the hardships faced by the exiles.
• 💪 The personality traits given to Ezekiel by God are intentional and designed to equip him for his prophetic role, emphasizing the importance of God's purpose in shaping individuals.

Q & A

Who is the host of the Bible recap in this video?

The host of the Bible recap in this video is Tara Lee Cobble.

What major prophet does the video discuss?

The video discusses the major prophet Ezekiel.

In what year was Ezekiel exiled to Babylon?

Ezekiel was exiled to Babylon in 597 BC.

When did Ezekiel begin prophesying, and how long before Jerusalem fell was this?

Ezekiel began prophesying in 593 BC, which was seven years before Jerusalem fell in 586 BC.

Why couldn't Ezekiel serve as a priest in the temple in Jerusalem?

Ezekiel couldn't serve as a priest in the temple in Jerusalem because he was in exile far away from the temple when he turned 30, the age when priests begin their service.

What was Ezekiel's first vision as a prophet?

Ezekiel's first vision as a prophet involved seeing a storm cloud, living creatures with four wings and four faces, and God seated on a throne with descriptions of rainbows, fire, light, metal, and jewels.

What does the phrase 'then they will know that I am the Lord' signify in the book of Ezekiel?

The phrase 'then they will know that I am the Lord' signifies the main point of the book, which is to continually remind the reader that God's plans revolve around getting His people to know Him.