In this book of Ezekiel we will discover themes of God’s faithfulness, a lot of prophetic literature, and even some images of God’s glory that links with the book of Revelation.
For a broader view of this book of the Bible, we encourage you to watch this video:
Bible journaling tip:
At the start of each new book of the Bible, pause and take a moment to write an acrostic poem, a mnemonic device to help you remember that book of the Bible. For example:
E - Every time I read this book I’m filled with
Z - zeal
E - energy
K - kingdom vision and
I - inspiration for
E - everyday
L - life.
LOOK UP (information): encounter God through the Scripture
Author:
Ezekiel was part of the first wave of exiles taken into Babylon. His life before the exile was on track for him to become a priest on his 30th birthday - instead, he was living in a refugee camp without any hope on that very same birthday. Hopeless, until God speaks. Can you think of a similar scenario in your life, where did you think you would be today? Ask God to speak into your situation right now.
Audience:
God appeared to Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. This book is written to people in impossible situations: who have lost all hope. God comforts the oppressed and reminds them that He is always with them. He did not stay behind in Jerusalem - but, just like in the wilderness that we read about in Exodus, He went with them.
History:
One aspect of Ezekiel that sort of reads like a “plot twist” is that the glory of God is seen outside of the temple. Throughout the rest of the Old Testament on our Bible Journaling journey, we have learned about where God dwells. According to Ezekiel’s second vision, God doesn’t abandon his people, but those remaining in Jerusalem drive him away with their rebellious actions and he goes to be among his people in Babylon instead.
Genre:
This is also part of the category called : the major prophets. The other category of prophetic literature is called the minor prophets. Remember that we learned in the book of Isaiah that this naming has nothing to do with their importance, but rather how long they are! Draw a picture of all the major prophets as really tall people (to indicate their length…), and all the minor prophets as shorter people - write their names under each character. Look for clues about their appearance in the books: How old were they? What kind of work did they do?
LOOK IN (revelation): contemplate / reflect on our own lives
Key verse:
Ezekiel 37:4-6 NIV
“Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
Inspiration:
When we read Ezekiel 37, it can sound truly strange and like something out of a zombie movie - however this is an impactful metaphor. The valley of dry bones symbolizes the spiritual death of the Israelites. To be spiritually dead means to be: deaf to God’s word, living a life with hidden sin, or that your heart has become cold or hard. What can you do about areas that are dead in your own life? What did God tell Ezekiel to do? What does this mean for you today? How does this chapter link to Genesis 2?
LOOK OUT (transformation): respond with creative worship action
Drawing prompt:
God showed Ezekiel this vision while he was in exile in Babylon. This means that God can still speak to us, even when we are in truly difficult circumstances. Paint a picture of Ezekiel as a refugee, sitting by the water, hopeless - and then paint one where he receives the revelation from God.
Put these two pictures next to each other: How does his situation change? How does this affect his perspective on being in exile? Reflect on your own experience of “exile” - what kind of vision can God give you that will change your perspective?
Bible Journey with HolyJot:
Here are some questions / prompts provided by the HolyJot community.
- What did God command Ezekiel to do with the scroll He presented to him in these verses? (Ezekiel 3:1-2)
- Where were the Jews at when Ezekiel carried God’s message to them in these verses? (Ezekiel 3:10-11)
Follow this link to dive into this book with an online Bible Study group.
Writing prompt:
Even though God warned Ezekiel that no one was going to listen to him, he was still faithful and he did everything that God commanded him to do. What about you? What if God told you today that everything that you do for him in your whole life will never amount to anything - you will never get any credit or applause - Would you still do it?
Write about this question and think about the phrase: ‘to live for an audience of one’. Are there areas in your life where you are going against God’s will in order to please other people? Are there areas in your faith where you are performing and doing things for validation from other Christians?
You can repent right now and ask God’s forgiveness. He is quick to forgive and kind. He wants what is best for you: for you to live a life of praise to Him, being completely who He made you to be. No holding back. Allow God to speak identity over you and write down whatever comes to mind.
Prayer:
God, I want to thank you for the book of Ezekiel. This book of the Bible shows your faithfulness and how you never give up on us. Help me to also be bold like Ezekiel and never doubt what you have given me to do. Here I am, Lord. Would you fill me with your Spirit so that I may know You better. Let my response to this text be worship unto you!