By Sam E. Stone God called on the people of Israel to rejoice. Though they still were to be exiled in Babylon (Isaiah 40–55), they could rest assured that Almighty God would deliver them. John N. Oswalt emphasized the significance of this prophecy: “The tone of anticipation becomes more intense as God calls on […]
By Sam E. Stone Our final lesson from Ezekiel brings us to the largest section of the book—chapters 40–48. This apocalyptic message has been described as a “counter-vision” to the disaster of Ezekiel 8–11. At that time God’s glory departed from the temple, but now he had returned (43:1-5). The promised restoration was shown […]
By Sam E. Stone Last week’s study ended with Ezekiel 43:21. After that Ezekiel was given further instruction about those who would serve in the temple, the allotment of land, and priestly duties for various occasions. Now the prophet is back at the entrance to the temple. Worship in the kingdom of God is […]
By Sam E. Stone At this point in our study, Ezekiel had witnessed the measuring of the outer wall and then the angel brought him back to the eastern gate of the temple where the tour had begun (see 40:6). Nineteen years earlier the prophet had seen the glory of God leave the temple […]
By Sam E. Stone This month we consider “Visions of Grandeur,” looking primarily at Ezekiel’s prophecies. G. R. Beasley-Murray put our text in perspective: “Ezekiel was a priest as well as a prophet. It was his joyful task to balance the prophecies of the ruin of the temple, the departure of Jehovah, and the […]
