Commuter Bible

As many of you may know, there are four gospel accounts in the New Testament, three of which are called “synoptic” gospel, which means “seeing the same thing.” The gospel of John is the outlier, especially as it dives deeper into Christ’s life and teachings than the other accounts. John opens with a profound reflection on the Christ of eternity past who existed before creation, calling to mind the opening of the creation account in Genesis. He moves on to cover the ministry of John the Baptist, transitioning from his ministry to the ministry of Jesus, giving attention to Christ’s surprising authority over the created order itself and to his command of the Scriptures.

For modern audiences like us, these concluding chapters may feel more drudgery than delight, but for the original audience, these chapters would have been the most exciting. Ezekiel once brought a message of condemnation and despair, but now that those prophecies have come true and Israel has spent 25 years in exile, Ezekiel brings a message of hope and restoration. Part of this revelation is other-worldly, as Ezekiel sees a river coming from under the temple, recalling the garden of Eden and pointing forward to the river seen in the book of Revelation.

To put today’s passage in context, it’s important to spend a moment considering when this vision occurred and what had happened up to this point. Remember that God had declared through Ezekiel that his glory had left the temple. Jerusalem would be made a desolation, and the people exiled from the land. The temple had become defiled and desecrated by Israel’s idols, so the Lord sent the Chaldeans to demolish it. Twenty-five years later, Ezekiel sees a vision that would have brought renewed hope and joy: a new temple with revived worship practices, and most important of all, the promise of God’s glory and favor returns.

There are different takes on the exact meaning of the temple Ezekiel sees in today’s passage, some say it is symbolic, others heavenly, and some take not of it’s cross-shaped floor plan. Here’s what we know. First, it was never built. Second, this passage is the longest recording of a revelation in Scripture and it gives very specific dimensions for a temple design with measurements that differ from the original temple. Third, in Hebrew, the text measures the temple in cubits and multiples of 5 and 25 abound; note that the vision takes place after 25 years in exile. Fourth, but certainly not finally, other than Moses, Ezekiel is the only person in the Old Testament to receive and transmit specific legislation directly from God.

You may have noticed this turn already, but ever since the mention of Jerusalem’s fall in chapter 33, God’s message to His people has become one of promise and hope for a restoration that will take place. In our last episode, God promised to send a shepherd to his people, one that would be a prince among them from the line of David. Today, Ezekiel prophesies that Israel will be fruitful once more. Then, by means of a strange vision, the Lord commands Ezekiel to prophesy to a valley of dry bones. Through the word of the Lord, these bones gather into fully restored bodies and stand on their feet.

Ezekiel recalls the day when, twelve years into exile, he first hears word that Jerusalem has been overtaken. Those who remain behind want to claim the land as their own property, but the Lord sees their wickedness and vows to make them a desolate waste. The Lord also sees the shepherds of Israel, those leaders and rulers who have been entrusted with taking care of God’s flock. Rather than nurturing and protecting those under their authority, they have abused their power for the sake of selfish profit. God’s flock will be rescued from their hands, and he will send a better shepherd, his servant David, who will be a prince among them.

As evidenced by the pyramids that remain standing, the treasures of the pharaohs, along with abundant of historical records, Egypt was once a major world power that ruled mightily for centuries. Bible readers will recall that Joseph helped Egypt thrive in early history and that Egypt held the nation of Israel in bondage for 400 years. This proud nation defied the Lord God and proved to be an unreliable ally to the surrounding nations, proving to be a splintered reed that injured those who leaned on it. In today’s text, God proclaims that he will once again use Babylon as the sword of his wrath. Unlike some other nations, the exiled Egyptians will be allowed to return to their land, but as a nation they will never again achieve their former status.

Israel and Judah have incited the Lord’s wrath by their wanton disregard for His statutes, and the Lord intends to pour His wrath out on His people. However, He will continue to stand by His promise to save a remnant and bring them back into the land. This is not the case for the surrounding nations, who have shown contempt for Jerusalem and disregard for the Holy One of Israel. A majority of today’s passage focuses on the esteemed port city of Tyre, located on an island just off the coast. Though Nebuchadnezzar was unsuccessful in his siege, Alexander the Great was eventually successful after creating a causeway of timber and stone, wiping them out, never to exist again.

The Word of God sometimes shocks us with the imagery it gives to describe the sins of mankind, and today’s passage is no exception. As we begin, the Lord speaks with Ezekiel inviting him to pass judgment on Jerusalem, for the princes of Israel have abused their power to shed blood. The Lord goes on to tell a parable of sorts, describing Samaria and Jerusalem two sisters named Oholah and Oholibah. With scandalous and sordid depictions of their rebellion against God, they stand condemned before the one who called them to faithfulness and purity.

Our episode begins with a lament for the princes of Israel, who are compared to lions that grow up to devour people, and are therefore captured and taken away. Some of the elders of Israel gather around Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord, but God denies them and recounts the history of Israel’s rebellion and idolatry. Time and again, the Lord would have been justified in exhausting His wrath against, but over and over He relents from disaster so that His name won’t be profaned among the nations. The Lord will not answer them, for as they seek Him they also seek after idols, even sacrificing their children to false gods.