• Israelites were taken into captivity in three deportations:
    • 1st: Jeremiah 25:11-12 – 605 BC
    • 2nd: Ezekiel captured! – 597 BC
    • 3rd: II Chronicles 36:21 – 586 BC
  • Interesting things in Ezekiel:
    • Three lengthy visions
      • Glory of God (Ezekiel 1-3)
      • Journey to Jerusalem (Ezekiel 8-11)
      • A glorious temple (Ezekiel 40-48)
    • Ezekiel acts out scenes using props
      • Ezekiel 4:1
      • Ezekiel 5:1-2
      • Ezekiel 12:3-16
      • Ezekiel 12:17-20
      • Ezekiel 24:15-27
    • Vivid imagery and parables
      • Ezekiel 16
      • Ezekiel 23
    • “They will know that I am the Lord” (63 times)
      • Ezekiel 6:10, 13
  • You are being punished for your sins (Ezekiel 1-33)
    • Judah (Ezekiel 1-24)
    • Other nations (Ezekiel 25-32) – Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistines, Tyre, Sidon, Egypt
    • Ezekiel 3:4-17
    • Ezekiel 9:9
    • Ezekiel 10:18-19; 11:22-25
    • God definitely punishes, so we must repent (II Peter 3:9).
    • Ezekiel 18:30-32
    • Ezekiel 33:10-11
  • There is hope for the future (Ezekiel 34-48)
    • Ezekiel 33:21
    • “David” = Jesus – Ezekiel 34:23-24; 37:24-25
      • Matthew 1:1
      • Micah 11:10
      • Luke 1:32
      • Acts 13:34
    • Ezekiel 34 – Shepherds
    • Ezekiel 37 – Valley of dry bones, two sticks (God restoring Israel, spiritual unity in the New Covenant)
      • Ezekiel 37:11-19
      • Ezekiel 37:16, 24-28 – The two sticks: Mormons claim one stick is the Bible and one is the Book of Mormon. However, no books are in the context.
        • II Corinthians 6:16
      • Ezekiel 38-39 – Victory over “Gog” in battle (God’s New Covenant kingdom will be invincible)
      • Ezekiel 40-48 – Temple (God’s fellowship with His people; Acts 15:15-18; Ephesians 2:19-22; I Peter 2:5)