Ezekiel 1-3:15
I remember hearing Howard Hendricks talk about his early days reading the Bible. Hendricks taught Bible Study Methods at DTS and, I think, is without a rival in teaching that course. Anyway, I expected him to say that he took to the Bible like a duck to water. He did, too, a dead duck. He started in Ezekiel and his Bible became a paper weight for a long time thereafter. After charging through Isaiah and Jeremiah, I hate to tell you that you'll probably need to gird up the loins of your mind to get through Ezekiel. Daniel will be fun to look forward to and thankfully there is lighter fare in Hebrews and the other epistles.
If you're getting tired, you are understanding why many people don't read through the Bible. Yet, you've got to get to this place and get to the end so that you can inspire others to finish. Hendricks used to tell us that reading the Bible was like mining. Anyone can find the occasional nugget lying on the surface. But to find the richest ore, and the true heart of God (and that's the point, isn't it) you have to go deep. Digging is work, but that's where the treasures are. The more you dig the easier it gets and the rewards drive you on. We are in pursuit of a deeper understanding and love for God. In order to follow the Word made flesh, you have to know His Word.
So, before we begin, I'll give you a little background on Ezekiel and a few suggestions to make the journey more active for you.
If you're asking me, Daniel and Ezekiel have similar purposes. In Daniel you see God preparing the nations for the return of Israel to its land and for the nations for the coming kingdom. In Ezekiel you see God preparing the people for their return to their land and preparing Israel for the coming kingdom. One of the important phrases to look for and underline in Ezekiel is, "Then they will know that I am the Lord." That is a very powerful statement. There are other phrases and statements. If toward the end of Ezekiel you notice something and think, "I wonder if I've missed this earlier in the book," just make a note to yourself at the beginning of Ezekiel and look for it next year.
Ezekiel began his ministry when he was 30, in what was actually the 12th year of exile beginning from when Daniel was taken. That would make Daniel and Ezekiel, probably, the same age. The last we hear from Ezekiel, he is 52 years old. The life of a prophet, as we've seen with Jeremiah, was not really glorious. Ezekiel saw amazing things, but he paid an awesome price for it. As protection from the people and as a sign to them, Ezekiel was unable to speak for several years. Shortly before Jerusalem is destroyed, God will tell him that his wife will die and he'll be forbidden to mourn her death. Finally, when a messenger comes from Judah and says that the city has been destroyed, God will allow him to speak freely. In between, Ezekiel is commanded to act out many zany things in public, which I'm sure, made him face ridicule. And of course, as he saw what God saw of the people, it also brought sorrow and weight to Ezekiel's heart as he ministered to this people.
Today we'll see Ezekiel's commissioning as a prophet.
Ezekiel 1
Vs. 1-3 We've already mentioned some of this. Ezekiel was 30, the normal age to become a priest. Jesus also began his ministry at 30. Chebar was located just above the city of Babylon where the Euphrates and Tigris are close together. Nebuchadnezzar used the Jews to widen a river to create the "grand canal." I don't know if they had gondola rides like in Venice, but if they did I'll bet they were just as expensive.
Vs. 4-28 We have had vague descriptions of the glory of the Lord earlier in the Bible. We saw the glory of the Lord appear to protect Israel as they left Egypt as a pillar of fire and a pillar of cloud. We saw the glory of the Lord fill the tabernacle and fill Solomon's temple. Isaiah saw the glory of the Lord in the temple. There, it was fire and smoke. Here, Ezekiel (and all of us) for the first time ever see the detail of God's royal presence: His throne and the angels that go with Him.
Notice that verses 22 and 26 lead up to seeing God on His throne. Still, all of this is vague. Ezekiel sees a "likeness." It is still true that no one has seen God.
V. 28 And to think, all of this was simply to get Ezekiel's attention. When Ezekiel bowed, he heard the voice.
Ezekiel 2
One of the things to note here is the word "rebellious." In my German Bible is says they are the "house of contradiction." That adds an interesting twist to the thought of their rebellion as if it is sort of passive-aggressive.
V. 8 This is where Ezekiel accepts God's commission to him. He takes the Word and he fully consumes it. That's what you're in the process of doing now. It is no accident that God has used people, regardless of nation or education, who have consumed the Word.
Ezekiel 3:1-15
Vs. 1-3 This looks to have been a very realistic vision, so I wonder what it was like eating that scroll. Was it like a wrap? It is interesting that here, it was sweet with no after effects.
Vs. 14-15 I don't know what Ezekiel was like before this event and commissioning, but now, seeing the people's sin and need as God does, he is bitter and upset and overwhelmed.
Now the fun begins.
Hebrews 3
One tension in Hebrews is understanding the warnings. What will really be lost if the people slip back into adherence to the law? Will they lose their salvation or will they lose the effect of the grace of God in them in a dying world? This question has kept people very busy. My take on things is that you cannot lose your salvation since it is a spiritual birth and new creation. These can't be undone. But Jesus Himself warned that we are meant to be salt, but if the salt loses its saltiness, it is only good to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. And you remember too, in 2 Timothy, the vessels for ignoble use. Those vessels are still in the house but all the master can use them for is degrading kinds of things. I think the warnings in Hebrews are about losing saltiness, becoming unusable and trading away the power of grace for the peace that comes of compromise.
V. 1 Notice that the writer is not assuming he is speaking to a mixed crowd. Here they are holy brothers and in verse 12, they are still brothers.
Notice they are to look at Jesus, who has been said to be God, the Son, the Savior, and a high priest who knew suffering and can intercede for us.
Vs. 2-6 As much as they revered Moses, Jesus is so much greater.
V. 6 Notice that holding "fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope," is the measure of being God's house. If that confidence and boasting is lost, it sounds like the losing of saltiness. It isn't saying a loss of salvation, but there is a sense of no longer being that city on a hill giving light to the lost.
Vs. 7-11 To prove this, the writer quotes psalm 95.
V. 11 Although that generation never entered Canaan, this is not saying that everyone remained unsaved and never came to God. Some people may have repented, yet because of their rebellion, they just never made it into the land. Even Moses and Aaron didn't make it into the land.
In 1 Cor. 9:19ff, Paul talks about his sacrifice so that he can share in the blessings of the gospel. He was already saved. It gives me the idea that one can be saved and have an eternal home in heaven, but as a result of choices made on earth, never experience the power of grace and the blessings of the gospel in this life. The continued following of Christ in the harvest is vital for growth and experiencing God's blessings. We lose a lot when we are neither salt nor light for Christ.
Vs. 12-14 The mention of "today" reminds me of John 9 where Jesus heals the man born blind and tells His disciples, "we must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is still day." So what if a Christian rebels and decides it's not worth the trouble?
The image of God's house, just like the temple, presents a place of priestly service. A Levite could decide to spurn that place of service and just be a farmer. Remember again that Paul tells Timothy about the vessels of service in the great house. How important is it to us to serve and be available to the master for noble use? These images have to do with a house as a place of service.
V. 14 "Share" is the same as in 3:1 and there is actually a "the" before Christ. I think this is the same thought that began chapter three, sharing in a heavenly calling. You can still be saved and deny the calling or commission of the church because you'd rather do something else or you don't like discomfort.
Vs. 15-19 But if a person does deny and does not participate in this calling, this companionship with Christ, it is really the "deceitfulness of sin" and rebellion. It may be passive aggressive, but rebellion all the same.
In Philippians, Paul mentions that we are called to share the sufferings of Christ. Paul mentioned that sharing or being a companion to Christ in suffering was his own goal. Following Christ in the harvest means sharing what He endured for our salvation. We serve in His house as servants in the harvest, but only if we want to. We can have a great life on earth and miss all that, but also miss His rewards and fellowship and rest. But, hey, if you're comfortable, and in a Bible study and attending church, who really cares. What more could He want?
Psalm 104:1-23
V. 2 Look over at Ezekiel 1:22-28.
It is interesting that God points to His own majesty and love in creation. It is ironic. The very thing that should make people question and conclude that there is a God is all around them and in an ironic sense, invisible to them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HR3-Yt1q2M
Proverbs 26:24-26
These proverbs play off the proverb from yesterday. You can glaze something over and hide a sinful heart and evil motives, but God will make sure it is exposed eventually.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comment or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
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