B. Proclamation of Jerusalem's Condemnation (4:1–24:27)
Ezekiel also stresses sinfulness in Israel (2:3–7; 8:9–10) and other nations (throughout chs. 25–32). He deals with the necessity of God's wrath to deal with sin (7:1–8; 15:8); God's frustration of man's devices to escape from besieged Jerusalem (12:1–13; cf. Jer. 39:4–7); and God's grace pledged in the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 12:1–3) being fulfilled by restoring Abraham's people to the land of the covenant (Ezek. 34; 36–48; cf. Gen. 12:7). God promises to preserve a remnant of Israelites through whom he will fulfill his restoration promises and keep his inviolate word.
Interpretive Challenges
Ezekiel uses extensive symbolic language, as did Isaiah and Jeremiah. This raises the question as to whether certain portions of Ezekiel's writings are to be taken literally or figuratively, e.g., being bound with ropes, 3:25; whether the prophet was taken bodily to Jerusalem, 8:1–3; how individual judgment can be worked out in ch. 18 when the wicked elude death in 14:22–23 and some of the godly die in an invasion, 21:3–4; how God would permit a faithful prophet's wife to die (24:15–27); when some of the judgments on other nations will occur (chs. 25–32); whether the temple in chs. 40–46 will be a literal one and in what form; and how promises of Israel's future relate to God's program with the church. These issues will be treated in the study notes.
Outline
The book can be largely divided into sections about condemnation/retribution and then consolation/restoration. A more detailed look divides the book into four sections. First, are prophecies on the ruin of Jerusalem (chs. 1–24). Second, are prophecies of retribution on nearby nations (chs. 25–32), with a glimpse at God's future restoration of Israel (28:25–26). Third, there is a transition chapter (ch. 33), which gives instruction concerning a last call for Israel to repent. Finally, the fourth division includes rich expectations involving God's future restoration of Israel (chs. 34–48).
I. Prophecies of Jerusalem's Ruin (1:1–24:27)
A. Preparation and Commission of Ezekiel (1:1–3:27)
1. Divine appearance to Ezekiel (1:1–28) 2. Divine assignment to Ezekiel (2:1–3:27) B. Proclamation of Jerusalem's Condemnation (4:1–24:27)