SOURCE FOR QUESTIONS
Ezekiel 1:1 through 3:27

‍KEY VERSE FOR MEMORIZATION
“And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language, but to the house of Israel.” (Ezekiel 3:4-5)

BACKGROUND

The prophet Ezekiel’s life spanned a period of significant political upheaval. Assyria had dominated the region for over 125 years, but in 612 B.C., King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had conquered Assyria and his nation became the major superpower. In 605 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar’s armies carried away the first group of exiles from Judah — a group that included the most prominent men of the country. In 597 B.C., Ezekiel was among the second group of captives deported from Judah to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. 

In the fifth year of Ezekiel’s captivity in Babylon, God called him to deliver a series of prophetic messages to his fellow Jewish exiles. These were primarily predictions of judgment that would soon come upon Jerusalem and seven Gentile nations around Judah. Ezekiel immediately obeyed, although God warned him that the exiles would reject his words because they were “stiffhearted” and “a rebellious nation” (Ezekiel 2:3-4).

For more than twenty years, Ezekiel faithfully relayed God’s messages through divinely ordained allegories, symbolic enactments, and apocalyptic imagery. Although his messages focused for the most part on soon coming judgment, they also provided hope for a restored Israel in the future Messianic Kingdom.

Chapter 1 describes three aspects of Ezekiel’s initial vision: the four winged creatures, a chariot and its wheels that moved at the impelling of the Spirit, and God on His throne. Chapter 2 records the prophet’s call and commission by God, and chapter 3, his appointment as a watchman for Israel.

QUESTIONS

1. Verses 1-3 of chapter 1 describe the place, manner, and date of Ezekiel’s call. The phrase “the heavens were opened” indicates that Ezekiel began to see visions of God’s glory — divinely inspired images not revealed to others. Why do you think God prefaced Ezekiel’s call to prophetic ministry with a revelation of His glory? 
   ‍
2. Ezekiel’s first vision given in chapter 1, began with a great storm cloud that arrived from the north — a storm that represented God’s judgment, which would come upon Jerusalem through the armies of Babylon. The vision itself had three parts: the four living creatures, the wheels within wheels, and the glorious throne room and One with “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord” (verse 28). What are some of the details given in verses 5-8 and 16-18 regarding the four living creatures and the wheels that propelled them?
   ‍
3. Verses 22-28 of chapter 1 record what Ezekiel saw of God’s glory and the firmament above the cherubim — a vast scene flooded with “the colour of the terrible crystal,” perhaps a spectrum of color that appeared as light refracted through crystal, with the hues of a rainbow. There was a sapphire throne, and above it, a brilliantly shining Form with the appearance of fire. This radiating brightness was an expression of the glory of God. How did Ezekiel respond to this vision of God’s glory, and what attitude did his response indicate? Ezekiel 1:28 
   ‍
4. In chapters 2 and 3, God commissioned Ezekiel as His spokesperson. More than ninety times in the book, including Ezekiel 2:1, God addressed Ezekiel by the term “son of man.” This form of address emphasized Ezekiel’s humanity and his lowly position in comparison to God’s divine sovereignty. It also stressed the prophet’s need for dependence upon God. Why is total dependence upon God necessary if we are to serve Him effectively?
   ‍
5. In Ezekiel 2:6, and in several other verses in chapters 2 and 3, God told Ezekiel not to be afraid. Based on the description of the people Ezekiel was called to confront, why do you think this encouragement was needed? Ezekiel 2:3-7
   ‍
6. In verses 8-10 of chapter 2 and the first three verses of chapter 3, Ezekiel’s willingness to obey God was challenged by a difficult command from God. What unusual action did God instruct the prophet to take, and what do you think that action symbolized?
   ‍
7. God’s instruction to Ezekiel to eat the roll of the book should cause us to ask ourselves if there are parts of God’s Word and His calling upon our lives that we have not yet fully absorbed. What are the benefits of fully taking in every part of God’s Word? 
   ‍
8. In chapter 3 verses 16-21, Ezekiel’s responsibilities were explained to him through his appointment as a watchman. What were the duties and responsibilities of a watchman in that era? Given that, how would you describe what Ezekiel was called to do? 
   

CONCLUSION

God called the prophet Ezekiel to declare coming judgment to his fellow captives in Babylon, in spite of the fact that his words would be rejected. The subsequent visions that the prophet experienced were a living reality that encompassed him completely, and he faithfully obeyed God’s instructions.