Christ Church Studies

Chapter 37 records Ezekiel's third vision, which occurs after the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple. It stands among the most powerful images of Scripture, a vision of new life brought forth from death, and confronts us with a burning question of faith.

Chapter 37 records Ezekiel’s third vision, which occurs after the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple. It stands among the most powerful images of Scripture, a vision of new life brought forth from death, and confronts us with a burning question of faith.

Ezekiel's great temple vision depicts the depths of idolatry present in ancient Jerusalem, and we become eyewitness to the violent society that has supplanted true worship. As the glory of the Lord leaves its temple dwelling, the exiles must abandon their current attachment to Jerusalem, for the Lord is no longer to be found where they most expected to find him.

Ezekiel’s great temple vision depicts the depths of idolatry present in ancient Jerusalem, and we become eyewitness to the violent society that has supplanted true worship. As the glory of the Lord leaves its temple dwelling, the exiles must abandon their current attachment to Jerusalem, for the Lord is no longer to be found where they most expected to find him.

Ezekiel's prophetic vision continues in detail. So overwhelmed by this experience, he is grasping for words. A storm, four humanoid creatures, wheels within wheels, all supporting a brilliant expanse on which sits a glorious throne. Ezekiel falls down prostrate at having witnessed the Lord God in the most unexpected of places.

Ezekiel’s prophetic vision continues in detail. So overwhelmed by this experience, he is grasping for words. A storm, four humanoid creatures, wheels within wheels, all supporting a brilliant expanse on which sits a glorious throne. Ezekiel falls down prostrate at having witnessed the Lord God in the most unexpected of places.

The prologue introduces us to the man Ezekiel and situates him in Babylon (modern Iraq) in the year 593 BCE when he, along with many of the leading citizens of Judah, are taken into captivity. We in America today find ourselves in analogous circumstance: exiled to cultural irrelevance.

The prologue introduces us to the man Ezekiel and situates him in Babylon (modern Iraq) in the year 593 BCE when he, along with many of the leading citizens of Judah, are taken into captivity. We in America today find ourselves in analogous circumstance: exiled to cultural irrelevance.

"Be holy as I am holy." God's words to his people exemplify what J.I. Packer once called "the goal of our redemption," which is that we should live as a holy people. But what does holiness mean? This question guide our concluding session on The General Thanksgiving.

“Be holy as I am holy.” God’s words to his people exemplify what J.I. Packer once called “the goal of our redemption,” which is that we should live as a holy people. But what does holiness mean? This question guide our concluding session on The General Thanksgiving.