The Wheel Within A Wheel: Why Study the Book of Ezekiel

Introduction

Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God — Ezekiel 1:1

It is considered one of the most spiritual and prophetic of books. His visions were the most elaborate and colourful of any in Scripture. It has some memorable parts, like the ‘wheel within the wheel,’ ‘valley of dry bones,’ the invasion of ‘Gog and Magog,’ extensive description of the fourth temple, and emphasis on shekinah glory.

The vessel of this timeless prophecy is Ezekiel, the son of Buzi. A contemporary of Daniel, he is a bridge between Jeremiah and Daniel, starting at the tale end of the former and overlapping with the beginning of the latter.

Hebrew Name of Ezekiel

Yehezke’l, meaning ‘God strengths.’ Greek name is Iezekiel and Latin Ezechiel. His name is mentioned twice in the book (1:3; 24:24) but no where else in Scripture.

Author of Ezekiel

Ezekiel is clearly the author. He writes from the exile and never returns to his land. He was exiled to Babylon in 597 BC and lived by the River Chebar in Tel Abib. His ministry began in 592 BC with his first vision and continued to around 570 BC. This means he did not return from exile to Judah (neither did Daniel, though he lived to see the captivity end). Being a priest, Ezekiel made special emphasis on the temple, sacrifices, glory, and priesthood. The prophet speaks of righteousness and points out that the lack of it led to Babylonian exile. He cautioned the Judean exiles not to expect restoration too soon - Jeremiah did prophesy 70 years of Babylonian captivity. After Jerusalem and Solomon’s temple were destroyed in 586 BC, Ezekiel upheld God’s covenantal promises, which meant their restoration was assured.

Portrait of Christ in Ezekiel

‘Son of Man’ is the key phrase regarding Christ in Ezekiel, used 94 times alone. This phase was Jesus’ favourite description of Himself in the gospels. Also the ‘shepherd’ (chapter 34) and ‘Plant of renown’ (34:29). Starting as a little twig, he grows into a stately tree, like the cedar of Lebanon.

Theme of Ezekiel

Despite the setbacks, heartbreak, destruction of Jerusalem, 70 year exile, Ezekiel is a manifesto on restoration, particularly of Israel. The promises of the covenants, particularly Abraham, David, and the New, are the building blocks for such confidence. God keeps His covenantal promises and they will come to pass, no matter what. Though Ezekiel was only 25 when he was exiled and spent the rest of his life in the Diaspora, he had perfect faith that his nation would be reborn.

After the ‘dry bones live’ and the nation is restored (37), Israel becomes the object of a massive, unprovoked attack from Gog and Magog and its coalition allies (38-39). If it weren’t for divine intervention, Israel would be completely destroyed. Yet, deliverance is promised and the invasion force will be divinely destroyed. It will take 7 months to bury the dead.

The description of Ezekiel’s temple at the end of the book can be tedious for some, an annoyance for others. After all, why would there be a future temple, with regular animal sacrifices for sin, when Christ’s is the perfect, once-and-for-all sacrifice for all people, for all time? Those who have more literal view say that it will be as it is written; there will be a temple with  sacrifices as a memorial for what Christ has done on the cross. After all, the sacrificial system continued from the time of Christ’s death unto 70 AD, when Herod’s temple and Jerusalem were destroyed. This is a period between 40-50 years.

Key Verses of Ezekiel

²⁴For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. ²⁵Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. ²⁶A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh — Ezekiel 36:24-26

Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded. ³⁴And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. ³⁵And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited — Ezekiel 36:33-35

Summary of Ezekiel

Ezekiel is conscripted into God’s service, not unlike Moses (Exodus 3), Isaiah (6), and Daniel (10). Judah has her sins revealed in a series of visions. This was disturbingly graphic when the glory of God departed from the temple and then eastward, past the Mount of Olives, to the wilderness. Those who should be spiritual leaders were frauds and idolators. Then, Babylon comes like a bird of prey and takes them away. Yet, Judah will be preserved and restored.

The nations like Moab, Tyre, Philistia, and Edom will be slain. Egypt survives but becomes the basest of kingdoms. An interesting insight is the description of the King of Tyre, which sounds eerily similar to Satan himself (28:11-19).

After this, Israel will be restored. A genuine shepherd will replace the imposters. The valley of dry bones comes alive, Gog and Magog brings Israel ultimate victory, and then the temple, its courts and regulations are described. Most importantly, the glory of God returns to the temple.

Outline of Ezekiel

I.           Call of Ezekiel (1-3)

II.         Judgement of Judah (4-24)

III.      Judgement on the Nations (25-32)

IV.     Restoration of Israel (33-48)