Ezekiel, Book of: Consists mainly of three groups of prophecies. After an account of
his call to the prophetical office
(Ezekiel 1:1-3:21) Ezekiel:1. utters words of denunciation against the Jews
(Ezekiel 3:22-24)
warning them of the certain destruction of Jerusalem, in
opposition to the words of the false prophets
(Ezekiel 4:1-3) The
symbolical acts, by which the extremities to which Jerusalem
would be reduced are described in
(Ezekiel 4:1)ff show his intimate
acquaintance with the Levitical legislation.
(Exodus 22:30; Deuteronomy 14:21)
(Leviticus 5:2; 7:18,24; 17:15; 19:7; 22:8) etc.
2. Prophecies against various surrounding nations: against:
a. the Ammonites
(Ezekiel 25:1-7)
b. the Moabites
(Ezekiel 25:8-11)
c. the Edomites
(Ezekiel 25:12-14)
d. the Philistines
(Ezekiel 25:15-17)
e. Tyre and Sidon
(Ezekiel 26:1-28:26)
f. Egypt
(Ezekiel 29:1-32:32)
3. Prophecies delivered after the destruction of Jerusalem by
Nebuchadnezzar:
a. the triumphs of Israel and of the kingdom of God on earth
(Ezekiel 33:1-39:29)
b. Messianic times, and the establishment and prosperity of the
kingdom of God
(Ez 40:1-48:35)
The closing visions of this book are referred to in the book of
Revelation
(Ezekiel 38:1)ff =
(Revelation 20:8)
(Ezekiel 47:1-8) =
(Revelation 22:1,2)
Other references to this book are also found in the New Testament.
(Romans 2:24) with
(Ezekiel 36:2)
(Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:12) with
(Ezekiel 20:11)
(2 Peter 3:4) with
(Ezekiel 12:22)
It may be noted that Daniel, fourteen years after his deportation from
Jerusalem, is mentioned by Ezekiel
(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
(Ez 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"
(Ezekiel 4:1-4)
(Ez 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.,)
(Ezekiel 27:1)ff
(Ezekiel 28:13; 31:8; 36:11,34; 47:13)
He shows also an acquaintance with the writings of Hosea
(Ezekiel 37:22)
Isaiah
(Ezekiel 8:12; 29:6) and especially with those of Jeremiah, his
older contemporary
(Jeremiah 24:7,9; 48:37)