Bible Reading & Studying in one year the book of Ezekiel 1-30
by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce
Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical precepts & Gospel music
Bible reading & studying on 11/27 /2021 Ezekiel 1-4
Introduction to the book of Ezekiel
The prophet Ezekiel, whose name means “God strengthens”, spent his early
years in Jerusalem, until he was taken with other hostages by Nebuchadnezzar to
Babylon in 597. There he settled in his own house in a village near Nippur,
along the river Kebar (Nebuchadnezzar’s royal canal), in Babylonia (3:15,24).
He prophesied for at least twenty-two years (1:2 and 29:17-21). His wife died
in 587(24:16-18). Ezekiel’s ministry to
the exiles in Babylon was at the same time as that of Jeremiah to the Jews in
Palestine and of the early years of the ministry of Daniel. Ezekiel’s ministry was to keep before the
exiles the sins that had brought God’s judgment on them and to assure them of
God’s future blessing in keeping with His covenant. Chapters 1-24 were written
before the fall of Jerusalem to remind his fellow captives that God’s judgment
on the city and Temple was surely coming. Chapters 33-48 contain prophecies of
the still future restoration of Israel in the millennial kingdom.
Chapter 1-3:27 expressed Ezekiel’s call and commissioning. 1:1-28
Ezekiel’s Circumstances, vision of God, the four living creatures and the
chariot, the four wheels, the radiant expanse. 2:1-10 expressed Ezekiel’s call.
3:1-27 Ezekiel’s commissioning. 4:1-5:17 prophecies against Judah and
Jerusalem.
Bible reading
& studying on 11/28 /2021 Ezekiel
5-7
Chapter 5:1-17 shaving: destruction of the people of Jerusalem. The hair
form Ezekiel’s shaved head represented four categories among the people. One
part would be destroyed in the city; one part killed in the battle; one part
blown into exile; and a faithful remnant (v.3) only subjected to further
trials.
Chapter 6:1-14 Prophecies through sermons, 6:1-7:27
Why God would judge the city so severely? Because idolatry (6:4, 5, 6, 9.
The cause of coming judgment: idolatry, (6:1-14). In the Chapter 6:2 mentioned “on
most of the mountains of Palestine” at this time would have been some kind of
altar to Baal (Jer.3:6-9); this worship of idols, which they should have
destroyed when they conquered the land (Deut.7:5), is the reason for God’s
judgment on them. He would spare only some (vv.8-10). “The desert to
Diblah.”(v.14) this should probably read, from the wilderness to Riblah (a city
in the north near Hamath), which was the same as saying, “from Dan to
Beersheba.” In other words, the destruction of the land would be complete, from
north to south.
Chapter 7 the character of coming judgment: severe 7:1-27 “The four
corners of the land.”(v.2) the coming Babylonian judgment would encompass all
the land of Israel. The rod (v.10) is a reference to Babylon, whom God would
use to punish Judah (Isa.10:5).
Bible reading
& studying on 11/29 /2021 Ezekiel
8-11
Chapter 11:14-21 states the first promise, in Ezekiel, of restoration.
The sneer of those in Jerusalem (against the exiles of Judah and the
descendants of the northern tribes which were exiled by Samaria in 722)
reflected their belief that God’s power was limited to His land. Verse 16
contradicts that idea. Concerning the new covenant reminded again in the verses
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will
remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they
will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people,
and I will be their God.” (Ezekiel11:19-20) which are same as Jeremiah
33:31-34. the principal O.T. passage on the new covenant (Jer.32:37-40;
Isa.59:20-21; Ezek.16:60-63; 37:21-28) it will be made in the future with the
whole nations of Israel (Jer.31:31); it will be unlike the Mosaic covenant in
that it will be unconditional; its provisions will include 1) a change of
heart, 2) fellowship with God, 3) knowledge of the Lord, and 4) forgiveness of
sins. All of this will be fulfilled for Israel when the Lord returns
(Rom.11:26-27).
Bible reading
& studying on 11/30 /2021
Ezekiel12-14
Chapter 12:1-24:27 the certainty and causes of judgment through signs,
messages, and parables.
Chapter 12: 1-16 the sign of the prophet’s belongings. God told Ezekiel
to pack a rucksack with bare necessities and leave his house in broad daylight.
He was to do the same at twilight, acting as if he were escaping by crawling
through a hole in the wall. (vv.1-7). Ezekiel’s actions illustrated the plight
of many who would flee from Jerusalem, particularly King Zedekiah, who would
try to creep out at night but would be captured and taken to Babylon as a blind
man (vv.12-13;2Kings25:4-7). Because Ezekiel (and Jeremiah) had been
prophesying for some months and yet no conquest had occurred, the people were
growing skeptical (v.22), encouraged by false prophets (v.24).
Bible reading
& studying on 11/30 /2021
Ezekiel12-14
Chapter 13:1-16 there were two classes of false prophets” those who
represented false gods (the prophets of Baal, 1Kings 18:19), and those who
spoke falsehoods in the name of Lord (Jer.23:9-32; 28; 29:15-320. They did not
build the moral defenses of the people (v.5), they lied and saw false visions (vv.6-8),
and they whitewashed sin (v.11).Chapter13:17-23 indicates “Sorceresses,” using
occult powers, were putting curses on the innocent and promising life to wrongdoers
(v.19). The exact nature of these spells is uncertain, but they involved the
use of charms and veils (v.18).
Bible reading & studying on 11/30 /2021 Ezekiel12-14
Chapter14:1-5 elders. Supposed to be spiritual leaders of the nations in
exile, they were anxious about the future of Jerusalem and asked Ezekiel about
it. God knew their idolatrous hearts and said He would answer by the act of
judgment that would come upon Jerusalem. Even if such righteous men as Noah,
Daniel, and Job were then in Palestine, the prolonged sin of the land would
forbid its being spared judgment. This is apparently a reference to the Daniel
of the book named after him, a contemporary of Ezekiel, who did escape
judgment. Some see it as a reference to a patriarch Daniel (one is mentioned in
the Ras Shamra tablets, ca. 1400 B.C.).The latter seems unlikely however,
because the patriarch Daniel (through portrayed in these tablets as a righteous
and wise man) was a worshiper of Baal and could not therefore be called
righteous in the sense that Noah and Job were. (v.14). Yet there will be some
survivors.(v.22). Wicked people who would be exiled to Babylon and be positive
proof of the righteousness of God’s judgment on Jerusalem.
Bible reading
& studying in one year on 12/1 /2021
Ezekiel 15-16
Chapter 16 depicts
Israel as an unfaithful wife (Hos.1-3; Jer2; Isa.1:21; 50:1). Her sin is described
in verse 3-34, her punishment in verses 35-52 and her restoration in verses
53-63. Israel’s moral genealogy included the Amorite (Canaanite) and Hittite (a
non-Semitic pagan people). Israel, a founding child thrown out and left to die,
was rescued by the Lord. (vv.5-7). the child, now grown, became the Lord’s
bride. “I spread the corner of my garment over you.” (vv.8-14) an act that
symbolized marriage (Ruth3:9). Israel illustrated as wife became unfaithful by
practicing idolatry (vv.15-22) and by entering into alliances with foreign
countries (vv.23-34).Israel’s punishment is described (vv.35-43) and justified,
because her sin is worse than that of her two sisters, Sodom and then Samaria
(vv.44-52). Yet, the Lord’s restoration is described (vv53-59) a statement of
the hopelessness of the restoration of Israel (just as it was impossible to
imagine the restoration of Sodom and Samaria. In verses 60-63 stated that God
will restore Israel when He brings them into the blessings of the New Covenant
in the millennial kingdom (11:19-20; Jer.31:31).
This is what the Sovereign Lord says, “I will
deal with you as you deserve, because you have despised my oath by breaking the
covenant. Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an
everlasting covenant with you.” (Ezekiel 16: 59-.60)…So I will establish my covenant with you, and you will know
that I am the Lord, then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never
again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign Lord.
(16:62-63)
Bible reading & studying in one year on 12/2 /2021 Ezekiel 17-19
Chapter 171-24 the
parable of the two eagles, a parable was an illustration by comparison. An explanation
of the features of the parable.(vv.11-21). (1) the king of Babylon took King
Jehoiachin from Judah to Babylon in 597 (v.12;vv3-4;2Kings24:8-16;25:27-30) (2)
Nebuchadnezzar made Zedekiah a puppet king in Judah (v.13;vv5-6;2Kings24:7) (3)
Egypt attracted Zedekiah(v.7). (4) Zedekiah broke his covenant with
Nebuchadnezzar and thus with God.(vv.15-19). (5) Zedekiah would die in Babylon
and his troops would be defeated (vv.20-21). In verse 22 mentions a shoot. A
sprig; i.e., Messiah (Isa.11:1; Jer23:5; 33:15; Zech3:8; 6:12)
“As
surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, he shall die in Babylon, in the
land of the king who put him on the throne, whose oath he despised and whose treaty he
broke. Pharaoh with his mighty army and great horde will be of no
help to him in war, when ramps are built and siege works erected to destroy
many lives. He
despised the oath by breaking the covenant…I will bring down on his
head my oath
that he despised and my covenant that he broke. ..I will bring him
to Babylon and execute judgment upon him there because he was unfaithful to me. All
his fleeing troops will fall by the sword, and the survivors will be scattered
to the winds. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken.”
(Ezekiel17:16-21)
Bible reading
& studying in one year on 12/2 /2021
Ezekiel 17-19
Chapter 18 the proverb
of the sour grapes repudiated 18:1-32
A proverb was circulating in Jerusalem
(Jer.31:29) and Babylon that the children were suffering for the sins of their
fathers. Although there are cumulative effects on sin (cf.Ex.20:5-6;
Matt.23:35-36), the Lord here declares that each individual is accountable for
his own sin (v.4). The principle of individual accountability is reiterated.
(vv.19-20) the soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not
share the quilt of the father, nor will the father share the quilt of the son.
The
word of the Lord came to me: what do you people mean by quoting this proverb
about the land of Israel: “The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set
on edge”? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will
no longer quote this proverb in Israel. For every living soul belongs to me. The soul who sins
is the one who will die.
Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just
and right.
He
does not eat at the mountain shrines (refers to sacrificial meals to idols).
Or
look to the idols of the house of Israel.
He
does not defile his neighbor’s wife or lie with a woman during her period.
He
does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan.
He
doesn’t commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing
for the naked.
He
does not lend at usury or take excessive interest.
He
withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between man and man.
He
follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws.
That man is righteous; he will surely
live, declares the Sovereign Lord.” (vv.1-9)
Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any
of these other things. Though the father has done none of them;
“He
eats at the mountain shrines.
He
defiles his neighbor’s wife.
He
oppresses the poor and needy.
He
commits robbery.
He
doesn’t return what he took in pledge.
He
looks to the idols.
He
does detestable things.
He
lends at usury and takes excessive interest.
Will such a man live? He will not! Because
he has done all these detestable things, he will surely be put to death and his
blood will be on his own head.”(vv. 10-13)
“But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his
father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things:
He
does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of
Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.
He
does not oppress anyone or require a pledge for a loan.
He
does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing
for the naked.
He
withholds his hand from sin and takes no usury or excessive interest.
He
keeps my laws and follows my decrees.
He will not die for his father’s sin; he
will surely live. But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced
extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.
(vv.14-18)
Yet you ask, “Why does the son not share the guilt of his father? Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the quilt of the father, nor will the father share the quilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him. But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. (vv.19-22)
But if
a righteous man turns from his righteous man turns from his righteousness and
commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he
live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of
the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he
will die. (v.24)
If a
righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die. But if a wickedness he has committed and does what is just
and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offenses he has
committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die.
(v.26-28)
Therefore, O
house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your
offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have
committed, and get a NEW HEART and a NEW SPIRIT. Why will you die,
O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the
Sovereign Lord. Repent
and live. (vv.30-32)
Bible reading
& studying in one year on 12/3 /2021
Ezekiel 20-21
Chapter
20 -the message concerning Israel’s unfaithfulness. Ezekiel reviews the
different periods in the history of Israel and the preservation of the people
for the Lord’s name’s sake in spite of their repeated rebellion. They rebelled
in Egypt (vv.5-9), on the journey from Egypt to Kadesh Barnea (vv.10-17), in
the wilderness (vv18-26), and even when they came into Canaan (vv.27-29).
Ezekiel’s own generation was equally unfaithful (vv.30-32). In verses 33-44
this section describes the coming judgment of the tribulation period when
Christ returns to earth. The chief Shepherd (Christ) will then examine His
flock (pass under my rod; cf.Lev.27:32), purge…those who revolt and rebel, and
bring the faithful into the blessings of the new covenant in the kingdom.
Bible reading & studying in one year on 12/4 /2021 Ezekiel 22-23
Chapter 22 described the catalog of Judah’s sins includes idolatry
(v.3), bloodshed (vv.2-4, 6, 9, 12), immorality (vv.10-11, dishonor their
father’s bed meant to defile their fathers’ wives, Lev.18:7), indecency (v.7)
and extortion. Various groups in Israel’s society are indicated for their sins;
princes or prophets (v.25), priests (v.26), officials (v.27), prophets (v.28)
and the people (v.29).
This is what the Sovereign Lord says, “O city that brings on herself
doom by shedding blood in her midst and defiles herself by making idols. (v.3). You have become guilty because of the blood you
have shed and have become defiled by the idols you have made. You have brought your days to a close, and
the end of your years has come. Therefore I will make you an object of scorn to
the nations and a laughingstock to all the countries (v.4).Those who are near
and those who are far away will mock you. O infamous city, full of turmoil. See
how each of the princes of Israel who are in you uses his power to shed blood. (v5).
In you they have treated father and mother with contempt;
In you they have oppressed the alien and mistreated the fatherless
and the widow. You have despised my holy things and desecrated my Sabbaths.
In you are slanderous men bent on shedding blood;
In you are those who eat at the mountain shrines and commit lewd
acts.
In you are those who dishonor their fathers’ bed;
In you are those who violate women during their period, when they
are ceremonially unclean.
In you one man commits a detestable offense with his neighbor’s wife;
another shamefully defiles his daughter in-law. And another violates his sister,
his own father’s daughter.
In you men accept bribes to shed blood; you take usury and excessive
interest and make unjust gain from your neighbors by extortion. And you have
forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord.
(vv.6-12)
“Her priests
do violence to my law and profane my holy things; and they shut their eyes to
the keeping of my Sabbath, so that I am profaned among them. Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey;
they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.
Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false vision and lying
divinations…the people of the land practice extortion and commit
robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them
justice…(vv.26-29)
Bible reading & studying in one year on
12/5 /2021 Ezekiel 24-27
Chapter 24 Ezekiel‘s parable was acted out in Babylon on the very day
the siege of Jerusalem began in January588; cf.2Kings 25:1) and illustrates the
destruction of the city. Ezekiel was forbidden the normal signs of mourning.
The people would mourn deeply but silently over the destruction of Jerusalem (Just
as Ezekiel had been commanded to do with respect to the death of his wife. When
the refugees arrived from Jerusalem, Ezekiel would be free to speak. Chapter
25 Ezekiel prophecies against foreign nations: Judgment on Ammon, Moab, Edom
and Philistia.
Ezekiel Chapter 26 and chapter 27 Ezekiel prophecies Judgment on Tyre and
the lamentation over Tyre. Tyre was an ancient Phoenician city state on the
Mediterranean, between Acre and Sidon. She enjoyed great prosperity under King
Hiram (980-947), who provided men and materials for the construction of David’s
palace (2Sam.5:11-12) and Solomon’s palace and Temple (2 Chron.2).Many nations
would be involved in the destruction of Tyre. Nebuchadnezzar (v.7) besiegedthe
mainland city for thirteen years (585-572) and destroyed it. In 332 Alexander
the Great besieged the island city for six months and finally captured it by
building a causeway out to it from the debris of the destroyed mainland city.
The city was rebuilt and is mentioned in Matt.15:21-28; Mark3:8; Matt.11-12;
Act21:3-6. The city was almost completely destroyed by the Muslims in A.D.1291.
Bible reading & studying in one year on 12/6/2021 Ezekiel 28-30
Ezekiel Chapter 28 the fall of the leader of
Tyre, and lamentation oven the king of Tyre. The king of Tyre. This section (vv.11-19), with its
superhuman references, apparently describes someone other than the human ruler
of Tyer, namely , Satan. If so, Satan’s unique privileges before his fall are
described in verses 12-15 and the judgment on him in verses 16-19. You were the
model of perfection. I.e., Satan was the consummation of perfection in his
original wisdom and beauty. Satan had occupied a special place of prominence in
guarding the throne of God (Ex.25:20). Satan’s judgment, announced in these
verses (vv.16-19) will not be consummated until he is cast forever into the
lake of fire.(Rev.20:10). In verses 24-26 A promise of the restoration of
Israel (aft the second coming of Christ)and of peace for that nation (during
millennial kingdom).
Bible reading
& studying in one year on 12/6/2021 Ezekiel 28-30
Ezekiel Chapter 29 and Chapter 30 Ezekiel prophecies
judgment on Egypt
This prophecy against Egypt was given in January 586, seven months
before the fall of Jerusalem. Egypt has played a large role in the history of
Israel. Its black, fertile soil deposited by the Nile drew Abraham there in
order to escape the famine in Palestine (Gen12:10). About two hundred years
later Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt and was followed there by his
family, who also came to escape famine. From these seventy people grew the
nations Israel. Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter and enjoyed cordial
relations with Egypt; but this was the exception. Shishak of Egypt sacked the
Temple in the fifth year of Rehoboam (926; 1Kings14:25-26). Several kings of
Judah sought Egypt’s help against Babylon, but in vain (Isa.36:6). Josiah died
in an attempt to stop the Egyptians at Megiddo in 609 (2Kings 23:29-30).
Ironically, the victorious Pharaoh (NecoII) was defeated by Nebuchadnezzar in
605 at Carchemish. After the capture of Jerusalem, some Jews fled to Egypt
(Jer.44). The Pharaoh of 29:2 was Hophra (588-569), grandson of Neco, and the
king to whom Zedekiah looked for help against Nebuchadnezzar (Jer.37:5-7;44:30).
Bibliography,
Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.
