EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 1:1-28
Ezekiel: ‘They shall know that I am God’
The *Sin of Judah and the Judgement of God
Ezekiel Chapter s 1 to 24
Ian Mackervoy
About this book
1. History
After the death of King Solomon, the *Israelite nation became divided. 10 of the 12 *tribes set up a separate country with their own kings. These 10 northern *tribes *turned away from the *Lord their God. After several centuries, God sent the nation called Assyria to fight against them. In the year 722 *BC the 10 *tribes went into *exile in Assyria.At that time, God did not remove the two southern *tribes. These two *tribes formed the nation called Judah. But during the next 100 years, the people in Judah became very evil. They became as bad as the 10 *tribes, or even worse.
Ezekiel does refer to Judah as *Israelites. During Ezekiel’s life, Judah was all that remained of the original nation called *Israel. But some of the *prophecies in the book are for all the *Israelites.
The agreement that God made with *Israel warned the people. It said that the people must obey God. If they did not obey, God would send them into *exile among the nations. This happened to the 10 *tribes. It would soon happen to the people who lived in Judah.
In the year 598 *BC, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked Judah. After three months, the new king of Judah, Jehoiachin, handed over the city called Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar.
In the year 597 *BC, Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin, his family and the leaders of the people to Babylon. Among these was a priest, Ezekiel. Nebuchadnezzar made Zedekiah, who was the uncle of Jehoiachin, king in Jerusalem.
Zedekiah was not loyal to the king of Babylon. So, the *Babylonians destroyed the cities in Judah. Then in the year 586 *BC, they destroyed Jerusalem. The *Babylonians killed most of the people in Jerusalem. But they took some people to Babylon.
2. Ezekiel the *prophet
All that we know about Ezekiel is in this book. His name means ‘God gives strength.’ Ezekiel was born in the year 627 *BC. He was a priest, the son of Buzi the priest. He belonged to the family of Zadok, who was a famous priest. Ezekiel went into *exile at the same time as King Jehoiachin in the year 597 *BC. Ezekiel lived with other *exiles at the river called Chebar. His home was in Tel-Abib town. His wife died in the 9th year of his *exile.The book is full of personal experiences:
Ezekiel shut himself in his home and bound himself. The *Lord made him dumb – Ezekiel 3:24-26.
- God told Ezekiel to lie on his right side and then on his left side for 430 days – Ezekiel 4:4-8.
- God put a limit on Ezekiel’s food and drink during that period. And Ezekiel obeyed – Ezekiel 4:12.
- Ezekiel had to shave his head and his beard – Ezekiel 5:1.
- God did not permit Ezekiel to be sad at the death of his wife – Ezekiel 24:15-24.
- Ezekiel lost his speech – Ezekiel 24:27.
God intended Ezekiel to give a message to *Israel by means of the experiences in his life – Ezekiel 24:24.
Ezekiel lived at the same time as Jeremiah the *prophet. But Ezekiel does not mention Jeremiah. Jeremiah was still in Judah while Ezekiel was with the *exiles.
Ezekiel’s first *prophecy was in the year 593 *BC and he continued to *prophesy for about 20 years. Ezekiel dates his last message as in the year 571 *BC. Through the book, he is careful to date each message. He spoke to the *exiles from Judah who lived with him near the river Chebar.
The first part of the book (Chapter s 1-24) deals with the failure of God’s people. Ezekiel tells how God will punish them. He tells the *exiles that God will destroy Jerusalem. When this had happened, he changes his message. Then he tells about the punishment of the nations (Chapter s 25-32). Chapter s 33-39 look forward to the future. These Chapter s describe the return of the people from *Israel to their country. The last part of the book (Chapter s 40-48) describes the future *temple. And the *tribes of *Israel will divide the country in a new way.
3. The shape of the book of Ezekiel
| Part One | The *Sin of Judah and the Judgement of God | |
| Part Two | Punishment of the Nations | |
| Part Three | God will bring *Israel back to their Country | |
| Part Four | The Future *Temple and *Sacrifices |
Part OneThe *Sin of Judah and the Judgement of God – Ezekiel 1:1-24 | |
| The *vision of the *glory of God | |
| The *Lord tells Ezekiel what he must do | |
| The *Lord will destroy Jerusalem | |
| Enemies will destroy the country called Judah | |
| The *Israelites and their false gods | |
| Judgement on Jerusalem and God’s *glory leaves | |
| The *Lord’s reply to the *exiles | |
| *Prophecies of *disaster for Judah | |
Part TwoPunishment of the Nations – Ezekiel 25:1-33 | |
| Punishment of the countries near Judah | |
| Punishment of Tyre and Sidon | |
| God will bring his people back to *Israel | |
| Punishment of Egypt | |
Part ThreeGod will bring *Israel back to their Country – Ezekiel 33:21-39 | |
| The country that God promised to *Israel | |
| True and false leaders | |
| The *Lord will cure the country | |
| *Israel returns to the country | |
| Defeat of those who attack the country | |
Part FourThe Future *Temple and *Sacrifices – Ezekiel 40:1-48 | |
| Plan of the new *temple | |
| Priests and *sacrifices | |
| *Israel’s new country | |
| The city with 12 gates | |
Part One – Ezekiel 1:1-24The *Sin of Judah and the Judgement of God |
The *vision of the *glory of God – Ezekiel 1:1-28
This was a very special experience for Ezekiel. He felt the power of God. He saw the special *angels called *cherubim. He saw God’s *throne. He even saw an impression of God’s *glory. And then God spoke to Ezekiel.
Chapter 1
The time and the place of the *vision – Ezekiel 1:1-3
v1 I was among the *exiles by the River Chebar. It was the 30th year. On the 5th day of the 4th month, the skies opened and I saw *visions of God.
v2-3 On the 5th day of the month, the *LORD spoke to Ezekiel. (This was the 5th year of the *exile of King Jehoiachin). Ezekiel was a priest, the son of Buzi. He was by the River Chebar in the country of the *Chaldeans. And there he felt the power of the *LORD come upon him.
Verse 1 Ezekiel was one of the *exiles from Jerusalem. He was here with other *exiles by the River Chebar. The *Babylonians knew this river as the Grand Canal. It flowed south and east from the river Euphrates at Babylon. It was deep and wide enough for large boats. They carried goods to and from Babylon. The river also provided water for use on the farms. Ezekiel’s home was in Tel-abib, which was near this river.
‘It was the 30th year.’ The 30th year probably refers to Ezekiel’s age. He was the son of Buzi, a *temple priest. Ezekiel would have become a priest at the age of 30. But he went into *exile before he could begin to work as a priest in Jerusalem. So, he received his first *vision at the date that he qualified to be a priest. It was the 5th year during the *exile of King Jehoiachin. The *exile began in 597 *BC, so this was 593 *BC. This means that Ezekiel was born in the year 623 *BC.
Ezekiel saw these *visions on the 5th day of the 4th month. The 4th month would be, for us, June or July. It seemed that ‘the skies opened’. In other words, it was as if Ezekiel could see beyond the skies. He ‘saw *visions of God’. God gave Ezekiel a glimpse of his (God’s) *glory.
Verses 2-3 King Jehoiachin was still the proper king of Judah. But the *Babylonians took him into *exile in 593 *BC. Zedekiah ruled over Judah instead of Jehoiachin. This was the 5th year during that *exile.
God spoke to Ezekiel as he (God) would do many more times in this book. Ezekiel was aware of God. He felt the power of God upon him.
The country of the *Chaldeans was the southern part of the country called Babylon.
*Vision of the *cherubim – Ezekiel 1:4-14
v4 As I looked, a stormy wind came out of the north. There was a great cloud with a bright light about it. There were continuous flashes of lightning. The middle of the lightning was like metal that glowed. v5 In the cloud there seemed to be 4 *creatures. They were alive and their form seemed like that of men. v6 Each of them had 4 faces and 4 wings. v7 Their legs were straight. Their feet were like those of a young cow. These feet shone like *bronze that someone has polished. v8 Under their wings on their 4 sides, they had human hands. All 4 of them had faces and wings. v9 And their wings touched each other. The 4 *creatures did not turn when they moved. Each one went straight ahead.
v10 The *creatures had 4 faces. Each of the 4 *creatures had the face of a man. On the right side, they each had the face of a lion. And on the left side, they had the face of an *ox. Also, they each had the face of an *eagle. v11 That was what their faces were like. They each spread two wings above them. These wings touched the wings of the *creatures on either side. They also had two wings that covered their bodies. v12 Each of them went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go. They did not turn as they went. v13 The *creatures seemed like coals that burn on a fire or like lamps of flames. Fire went up and down between the *creatures. The fire was bright, and lightning came out of the fire. v14 The *creatures moved about quickly like flashes of lightning.
Verse 4 In the *vision, Ezekiel records the stormy wind that comes from the north. The *glory of the *Lord came from that direction. The cloud hid the complete *glory of God. The bright lights showed something of that *glory as it shone through the cloud. The glowing ‘metal’ was the *creatures and the *throne as they approached.
Verses 5-7 Ezekiel then saw the 4 *creatures in the cloud. He describes these *creatures. He records that their shape seemed like the shape of men. But each *creature had 4 faces and 4 wings. And each *creature had two legs like a man; but the feet were like the feet of a cow.
These 4 *creatures reflect the power of God. The 4 faces of each of the *creatures look in all directions. This is to show that God has power over the whole earth. They carry the *throne of God.
Verses 8-11 These *creatures are the *cherubim. Their task is to show that God is holy. They have hands like the hands of a man. The hands show that they are strong. And, that they can work. They are the servants of God. They go where he orders. They do what he tells them.
Each of them has 4 faces. They each have the face of a man, of a lion, of an *ox and of an *eagle. These faces are in the same order on each *cherub. The human face is to the front. The lion face is to the right. The *ox face is to the left. The *eagle face is at the back. Of all the animals on earth, men and women are superior. The lion is the king of the wild animals. The *ox is the best of the animals that farmers keep. The *eagle is the leader among the birds of the air. These faces are an expression of the power of God in all that he has made.
The face of a man shows that the *cherubim are intelligent. The face of a lion shows that they are very strong and powerful. The face of an *ox shows that they are patient. They are servants of God. The face of the *eagle shows how quick they can be. They immediately do what God wants. And there is no delay.
Each *cherub has two pairs of wings. The upper pair stretches out to touch the wings of two other *cherubs. They moved in the form of a square so that each one touched two other *cherubs. When they moved they were all in perfect unity. Their other pairs of wings covered their bodies.
Verse 12 The *cherubim could move in any direction but they did not turn. Their human faces were toward each of north, south, east and west. As they went, they did not need to turn. The Spirit of God controlled the *cherubim. They went as he directed.
Verses 13-14 The fire was in the middle of the *cherubim. So, Ezekiel saw the bright light and the flames of a fire. The fire was so bright that flashes of lightning came from it. The *cherubim moved at the speed of lightning.
*Vision of the wheels – Ezekiel 1:15-25
v15 I looked at the 4 *creatures that had the 4 faces. And I saw a wheel on the ground by each *creature. v16 All 4 wheels had the same design. They shone with the colour of *beryl. Each wheel seemed to have a wheel inside it. v17 When they moved, they went in any direction. But they did not turn as they went. v18 The edges of the wheels were high and terrible. And they were full of eyes all round them.
v19 When the *creatures moved, the wheels moved with them. And when the *creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose. v20 Where the spirit went, the *creatures went. The wheels rose and went with them. This was because the spirit of the *creatures was in the wheels. v21 When the *creatures moved, the wheels also moved. When the *creatures stood still, the wheels also stood still. And when the *creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose with them. This was because the spirit of the *creatures was in the wheels.
v22 What seemed to be a cover was above the heads of the *creatures. It shone like light through ice and it was terrible. v23 Under the cover, the *creatures stretched their wings out, each one toward the next. Each *creature also had two wings to cover its body. v24 When the *creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings. It sounded like the roar of the sea. It was like the voice of the God of all power. It was like the noise of a large army. When the *creatures stood still, they lowered their wings.
v25 Then a voice came from the cover that was over their heads. They stood still and lowered their wings.
Verse 15 There was a high wheel by each of the 4 *creatures. The 4 wheels were the same. Ezekiel saw this vehicle, which carried the *throne of God. Above the 4 wheels were the 4 *creatures. The 4 *creatures carried the *throne.
Verse 16 Each wheel seemed to have a wheel inside a wheel. In other words, each wheel had another one across its centre. The wheels shone with the colour of *beryl. *Beryl was a precious stone that may have been a pale green colour.
Verse 17 The vehicle did not travel on the ground but through the air. So, the wheels were not there to move the vehicle. It moved in all directions but the wheels did not turn.
Verse 18 A wooden wheel would have heavy nails in the edge that touched the road. These were for strength so that the edge of the wheel would not wear out quickly. Ezekiel saw that, instead of nails, there were eyes all round the edge of the wheels. There were many eyes. They looked in all directions. They could see all things. We can hide nothing from God. He sees and knows everything.
Verses 19-21 The *cherubim had control of the wheels. When the *cherubim moved, the wheels had to go with them. The Spirit of God had control of the *cherubim. Where the Spirit went, the *cherubim had to go.
Verse 22 The cover above the *cherubim was a platform for the *throne. From below, the cover was like the sky. Light shone through it as light through ice or a precious stone.
Verses 23-25 The *cherubim had 4 wings each. With two, they stretched out to the next *cherub. With the other two, they covered their bodies. When they moved, the noise of their wings was loud. Ezekiel describes that noise in three ways. It was like the sound of the sea. It was like the voice of God. And it was like sound of a large army.
The sea moves with a force that nobody can oppose. The waves crash in and out. They come and go. And nobody can stop them.
Like the noise of a storm is the voice of God. The power of God as he speaks is awful. It would make the bravest person afraid.
The sound of a large army ready for battle brings fear into the heart of a man.
God spoke. The *cherubim stood still and lowered their wings.
*Vision of the *throne – Ezekiel 1:26-28
v26 Above the cover, there seemed to be a *throne. The impression of the *throne was that of a *sapphire stone. The person on the *throne had a figure like that of a man. v27 Then I saw that, from the middle up, his body glowed like metal with fire inside. From the middle down, he seemed like fire. A bright light surrounded him. v28 The light was like a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day. It was splendid and bright. It seemed as if it were the *glory of the *LORD. So, I fell down with my face to the ground. And then I heard a voice that spoke to me.
Verse 26 Above the cover, Ezekiel saw something that was like a *throne. It shone like a *sapphire and it was bright blue.
On the *throne, there was a person. In form, he was like a man. But he was not a man. God shows himself here in a form similar to a man.
Verse 27 The effect of the *vision hid God from direct view. The lower part of the figure glowed as with fire. The upper part glowed with an inner light. It had a colour like metal, when it glows in a fire. There was a bright light that shone with many colours round the *throne.
Verse 28 The light was like the colours of the rainbow. All this light reflected the *glory of God. The whole *vision showed the *glory of God.
Ezekiel felt that he was standing there in front of God. The sight was so magnificent that he fell down. Clearly, he was full of fear. Nobody can see God and live. Ezekiel did not see God himself. Here was an impression of the character and *glory of God.
This *vision of the *Lord was to prepare Ezekiel for the work that he had to do. Then God spoke to him.
The *Lord tells Ezekiel what he must do – Ezekiel 2:1-3
God told Ezekiel that he (Ezekiel) would have to obey him (God) completely. The people were already opposing God. So, they would oppose Ezekiel when he told them God’s message. But Ezekiel still had a duty to declare God’s message. God was giving the people one more opportunity to obey him.
sin ~ Sin means the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God. People are called sinners because of their sins.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
tribe ~ The Israelites were divided into the 12 families of the sons of Jacob. These families are the 12 tribes of Israel.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Israel ~ Israel is the nation whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The country in which they live is called Israel. Israel became the name of the northern nation when it separated from Judah. However, Ezekiel sometimes uses the word ‘Israel’ to refer to Judah.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
turn ~ to change your behaviour, your friends, or your God; or, to carry out actions in order to oppose someone.
Lord ~ a title for God, to show that he is over all people and things.
LORD ~ ‘LORD’ is the special name that God gave to himself. It probably means ‘always God’. This name has a relationship with the special promises that God gave to his people.
BC ~ years before Christ was born.
exile ~ When people have to live in a foreign country they are in exile. Such a person is called an exile.
Israel ~ Israel is the nation whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The country in which they live is called Israel. Israel became the name of the northern nation when it separated from Judah. However, Ezekiel sometimes uses the word ‘Israel’ to refer to Judah.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
prophecy ~ a message from God; a gift of the Holy Spirit.
Babylonian ~ a person from the nation called Babylon or anything that has a relationship with Babylon.
prophet ~ person who speaks for God. He can sometimes say what will happen in the future. However, false prophets are people who merely pretend to speak God’s words.
prophesy ~ to speak a prophecy.
prophecy ~ a message from God; a gift of the Holy Spirit.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God or other gods. The Jews had one in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God.
worship ~ an act to give honour to God (or to a false god). When people praise and thank God.
Jews ~ another name for the Israelites.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God or other gods. The Jews had one in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God.
worship ~ an act to give honour to God (or to a false god). When people praise and thank God.
Jews ~ another name for the Israelites.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
sacrifice ~ The priests killed a special animal and they burned it on an altar. That animal was called a sacrifice. They offered a sacrifice when they asked God to forgive sins. When Jesus died, he was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Animals or people whom God or other people kill for a purpose are also sacrifices (see Ezekiel 39:17). And people also made sacrifices to false gods.
altar ~ the special table where people burn animals or offer other gifts to God or to false gods.
sin ~ Sin means the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God. People are called sinners because of their sins.
vision ~ something that God shows to a person but not with the physical sight. Visions are often in the form of dreams.
glory ~ great honour and beauty.
prophecy ~ a message from God; a gift of the Holy Spirit.
disaster ~ when something very bad happens.
sacrifice ~ The priests killed a special animal and they burned it on an altar. That animal was called a sacrifice. They offered a sacrifice when they asked God to forgive sins. When Jesus died, he was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Animals or people whom God or other people kill for a purpose are also sacrifices (see Ezekiel 39:17). And people also made sacrifices to false gods.
altar ~ the special table where people burn animals or offer other gifts to God or to false gods.
sin ~ Sin means the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God. People are called sinners because of their sins.
angel ~ God’s special servants in heaven. God made angels to serve him and to take his messages.
cherubim ~ the group of cherubs.
cherub ~ a special angel who was in the most holy place in the temple.
angel ~ God’s special servants in heaven. God made angels to serve him and to take his messages.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God or other gods. The Jews had one in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God.
worship ~ an act to give honour to God (or to a false god). When people praise and thank God.
Jews ~ another name for the Israelites.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
throne ~ the special chair for the king.
Lord ~ a title for God, to show that he is over all people and things.
LORD ~ ‘LORD’ is the special name that God gave to himself. It probably means ‘always God’. This name has a relationship with the special promises that God gave to his people.
Chaldeans ~ another name for the Babylonians.
Babylonian ~ a person from the nation called Babylon or anything that has a relationship with Babylon.
vision ~ something that God shows to a person but not with the physical sight. Visions are often in the form of dreams.
creatures ~ Things that are alive. In this Book of Ezekiel, Ezekiel saw 4 special creatures. Those 4 creatures are called the cherubim.
cherubim ~ the group of cherubs.
cherub ~ a special angel who was in the most holy place in the temple.
angel ~ God’s special servants in heaven. God made angels to serve him and to take his messages.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God or other gods. The Jews had one in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God.
worship ~ an act to give honour to God (or to a false god). When people praise and thank God.
Jews ~ another name for the Israelites.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
bronze ~ A brown metal. It glows when in a fire. It polishes well and it reflects the light. It is very strong.
ox ~ a large and strong animal that farmers used.
eagle ~ a very large and quick bird.
cherub ~ a special angel who was in the most holy place in the temple.
angel ~ God’s special servants in heaven. God made angels to serve him and to take his messages.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God or other gods. The Jews had one in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God.
worship ~ an act to give honour to God (or to a false god). When people praise and thank God.
Jews ~ another name for the Israelites.
Israelites ~ the people whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
beryl ~ a precious stone.
beryl ~ a precious stone.
sapphire ~ a precious stone.