26. Ezekiel (Bible Summary)

1. Oracles of Judgment against Israel (chs. 1–24)

Ezekiel’s Inaugural Vision (chs. 1–3)

Overwhelming Display of the Glory of the Lord (ch. 1): Ezekiel’s vision of the divine chariot and four living creatures, representing God’s presence and glory.
Ezekiel’s Call to Be a Prophet (2:1—3:15): Ezekiel is called by God to be a prophet to the rebellious house of Israel.
- God Delivers a Scroll for Ezekiel to Eat (2:1–3:3): Ezekiel is given a scroll, symbolizing the word of God, and eats it, as it tastes sweet but is bitter in his stomach.
- God Hardens Ezekiel’s Heart (3:4–3:15): Ezekiel is prepared for the difficult task ahead and is made a watchman for Israel.
- Ezekiel’s Appointed a Watchman (3:16–27): Ezekiel is given the responsibility to warn the wicked and be accountable for their response.

Symbolic Acts Portraying the Siege of Jerusalem (chs. 4–5)

Ezekiel’s Symbolic Siege of Jerusalem (4:1–17): Ezekiel enacts the siege of Jerusalem by lying on his side for a number of days, symbolizing Israel’s siege and judgment.
God’s Razor of Judgment at Work (ch. 5): Ezekiel shaves his head and burns it, illustrating the impending judgment and destruction of Jerusalem.

Oracles of Divine Judgment (chs. 6–7)

Doom for the Mountains of Israel (6:1–6:14): Prophetic denunciation of Israel’s idolatry, predicting judgment on the high places of worship.
The End Has Come on the Land (7:1–7:27): An announcement of God’s judgment, the coming destruction, and the hopelessness of escape.

Corruption of the Temple and Its Consequences (chs. 8–11)

Idolatry in the Temple (8:1–8:18): Ezekiel is shown a vision of the abominations being committed in the temple, particularly idolatry.
Judgment on the Idolaters (ch. 9): The angel of judgment is instructed to strike down the idolaters in Jerusalem.
God’s Glory Departs from the Temple (ch. 10): Ezekiel witnesses God’s glory departing from the temple, signifying God’s judgment and the removal of His presence.
God’s Sure Judgment on Jerusalem (11:1–14): God declares that the city’s inhabitants will face judgment for their idolatry and wickedness.
Those in Exile to Be Restored (11:15–21): Despite the judgment, God promises a future restoration for those in exile.
Conclusion of the Vision (11:22–25): Ezekiel concludes the vision of God’s glory leaving the temple and assures the people of a future hope.

Ezekiel Symbolizes the Exile of Jerusalem (ch. 12)

An Exile’s Baggage (12:1–16): Ezekiel enacts the exile by packing his belongings and leaving the city, symbolizing the forthcoming deportation.
Anxious Eating (12:17–20): God commands Ezekiel to eat in a way that demonstrates the anxiety and fear that will accompany the coming siege.
The Nearness of Judgment (12:21–28): God assures Ezekiel that the prophecy of judgment will certainly come to pass.

Oracles Concerning God’s Judgment on Judah (13:1—24:14)

Condemnation of the False Prophets (ch. 13): Ezekiel condemns false prophets who lead the people astray and falsely promise peace.
Condemnation of the Idolaters (14:1–11): God denounces those who have set up idols in their hearts and defiled themselves with idolatry.
No Mediators Can Turn Back God’s Judgment (14:12–23): Even if Noah, Daniel, or Job were intercessors, God would not relent from His judgment on Jerusalem.
Jerusalem Likened to a Piece of Burnt Vine (ch. 15): The city of Jerusalem is symbolized as a worthless piece of wood, fit only for destruction.
Jerusalem Allegorized as an Adulterous Wife (ch. 16): Ezekiel presents a vivid allegory of Jerusalem as an unfaithful wife who is punished for her spiritual adultery.
Allegory of Two Eagles and a Vine (ch. 17): The riddle illustrates Israel’s political alliances and their failure, leading to judgment.
The Soul Who Sins Will Die (ch. 18): A profound declaration of individual responsibility for sin, emphasizing that each person is accountable to God.
A Lament Over the Fall of Jerusalem’s Kings (ch. 19): A lament for the royal line of Israel, whose rulers failed the people and led them to destruction.
Apostate Israel Purged and Renewed Through Judgment (20:1–44): A history of Israel’s rebellion and God’s intention to purify and restore Israel through judgment and grace.
Babylon, God’s Sword of Judgment (20:45—21:32): God declares that Babylon will be His instrument of judgment against Israel, bringing them to ruin.

The Sins for Which Jerusalem Is Judged (ch. 22)

Jerusalem’s Sins (22:1–16): A denunciation of the corruption, murder, idolatry, and other sins in the city of Jerusalem, which lead to its imminent destruction.

Jerusalem and Samaria Allegorized as Adulterous Sisters (ch. 23)

Allegory of the Sisters (23:1–49): The two sisters (Samaria and Jerusalem) are likened to prostitutes, who betray God through idolatry and immorality, facing God’s judgment.

Jerusalem Cooked Over the Fire (24:1–14)

The Pot of Judgment: Jerusalem is likened to a pot that is overheated and its contents consumed by fire, symbolizing the city’s coming destruction.

The Death of Ezekiel’s Wife Symbolizes Jerusalem’s Fall (24:15–27)

The Loss of Ezekiel’s Wife: Ezekiel’s wife dies as a symbol of the impending loss of Jerusalem, and Ezekiel is commanded not to mourn, showing that the people will not mourn the fall of the city.

2. Oracles of Judgment against the Nations (chs. 25–32)

A Prophecy against Ammon (25:1–7)

Judgment on Ammon: Ammon will be punished for rejoicing over Judah’s fall and for their pride.

A Prophecy against Moab (25:8–11)

Judgment on Moab: Moab will face destruction for its arrogance and pride against Judah.

A Prophecy against Edom (25:12–14)

Judgment on Edom: Edom will be judged for their violence against Judah and for their hatred of Israel.

A Prophecy against Philistia (25:15–17)

Judgment on Philistia: Philistia will be destroyed for its vengeful actions against Israel.

A Prophecy against Tyre (26:1—28:19)

Tyre’s Destruction: Tyre, a wealthy and powerful city, will be destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. A lament is spoken over Tyre’s fall, and its king is condemned for his pride.

A Prophecy against Sidon (28:20–24)

Judgment on Sidon: Sidon will face punishment, though God will ultimately restore Israel.

A Prophecy against Egypt (29–32)

Egypt’s Fall: Various oracles declare Egypt’s judgment, likening Pharaoh to a monstrous creature and predicting Egypt’s fall into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar.
The Pharaoh’s Consignment to the Realm of the Dead (32:17–32): The Pharaoh is consigned to the pit of destruction along with other fallen nations.

3. Oracles of Consolation for Israel (chs. 33–48)

Renewal of Ezekiel’s Call as Watchman (33:1–20)

The Call to Repentance: Ezekiel is charged again to be a watchman, calling the people to repent and live.

Jerusalem’s Fall Reported and Its Remnant Condemned (33:21–33)

Judgment on the City: The news of Jerusalem’s fall is brought to Ezekiel, and he is to mourn for the loss but continue to call the people to repentance.

The Lord to Be Israel’s Shepherd (ch. 34)

The Shepherd of Israel: God promises to be Israel’s shepherd, bringing them back to the land and caring for them.

A Prophecy against Edom (ch. 35)

Judgment on Edom: God promises to judge Edom for its perpetual hostility towards Israel.

Israel’s Complete Restoration Announced (ch. 36)

Restoration of the Land: God promises to restore Israel to their land, cleanse them, and give them a new heart.

Israel’s Dry Bones Revived and Unity Restored (ch. 37)

The Vision of the Dry Bones: Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones coming to life symbolizes the restoration of Israel from exile and the reunification of the northern and southern kingdoms under one king.

The Great Battle of the Ages (chs. 38–39)

Gog and Magog: A prophecy against the forces of Gog and Magog, symbolizing a final conflict that will culminate in God’s ultimate victory.

The New Order for Purified Israel (chs. 40–48)

Restoration of the Temple: A vision of the new temple, the return of God’s glory, the new priesthood, and the land’s division among the tribes.
The River of Life from the Temple: The vision of a river flowing from the temple, bringing life and healing to the land.
Boundaries of the Land: Detailed instructions on the borders and division of the land among the twelve tribes.