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NATION OF ISRAEL SPLITS INTO TWO KINGDOMS WHEN SOLOMON DIES IN 931 B.C.

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NORTHERN TRIBE (KNOWN AS ISRAEL) TAKEN INTO ASSYRIAN CAPTIVITY IN 721 B.C.

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SOUTHERN TRIBE (KNOWN AS JUDAH) TAKEN INTO BABYLON CAPTIVITY IN 605 B.C.

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TEMPLE DESTROYED AND JERUSALEM SEIZED IN 587 B.C. (SOLOMON’S TEMPLE)

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EZEKIEL’S PROPHETIC YEARS WERE 593 B.C. TO 573 B.C.

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EZEKIEL DID NOT RECEIVE ANY PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE “CHURCH AGE”

WEEK 1 PAGE 4

EZEKIEL’S PROPHECIES PRIOR TO SOLOMON’S TEMPLE BEING DESTROYEDPROPHECIES OF JUDGMENT ON JERUSALEM

PREPARATIONOF EZEKIEL

T HE F O UR L I V I N G E Z E K I E L C A L L E D T HE S C R OL L

EZEKIEL’SSHARPSWORDDESTRUCTIONAGAINST THEMOUNTAINSOF ISRAEL THECOMINGDAY OF JUDGMENTIDOLATRYREVEALEDIDOLATORS TO BEKILLED

GLORY DEPARTS

SECOND JUDGMENTON THEWICKEDLEADERSGOOD FIGSAND BADISRAELRESTORED TO THEIRLANDCAPTIVITYSYMBOLIZED JUDGMENTNOTPOSTPONEDCONDEMNATIONIDOLATRYWILL BEPUNISHED

CHAPTERS 1-3CHAPTERS 8-10CHAPTER 11CHAPTERS 4-7CHAPTERS 12-14

WEEK 1 – BOOK OF EZEKIEL - Chapters 1-14

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EZEKIEL’S PROPHECIES STARTED 7 YEARS PRIOR TO THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE

What is the purpose of the book of Ezekiel?

I am glad you asked.

The whole book covers a 22 year period, 7 years before Jerusalem’s destructions and 15 years after.A. “They shall know that I am God” appears 62 times in the bookB. To dispel any hope among the Israelites that the captivity might be shortC. To prove God’s case against Israel, showing the Israelites why they were in captivity.D. To cause the people to repent of their sinsE. To give hopeMain Outline:

Ezekiel prepared as a prophet: he was a priest that was called to be a prophet (Ch. 1-3).Ezekiel predicts Judgment on Kingdom of Judah (Ch. 4-24)Ezekiel predicts Judgment on Gentile Nations. (Ch. 25-32)Ezekiel prophecies blessings on the nation of Israel (Ch. 33-48).Background

After Solomon died then Israel split into two kingdoms (which made them weak and open to attacks-as to why they split thatinvolves more than I can cover here, but think politics):1. Northern Kingdom (10 tribes) known as Israel (even today they are called the 10 lost tribes of Israel, because theynever came back together)2. Southern Kingdom (2 tribes-Judah & Benjamin) known as JudahWEEK 1 PAGE 5

First the Northern Kingdom is taken into Assyrian captivity (721 BC). Then Southern tribe (Judah) was the group taken intoBabylonian captivity (605 BC). We will get into the “good figs” and “bad figs in Chapter 11, but know the “good figs” are theones in Babylonian captivity, the “bad figs” are the ones that remained in Israel. The ones in Babylonian captivity are promiseda return from exile (Ezekiel 14:22-23). Zedekiah stayed behind to rule over the remnant as the leader of the “bad figs.”(Jeremiah 24:8-10)Both Kingdoms were not doing right in the site of God and both will be punished, but God in his grace told the people if they gointo Babylonian captivity as their punishment then they are promised a return from exile. The ones who remained will beseverely punished.God uses Ezekiel as a prophet to the exiles and the remaining Jews in Jerusalem, although he never actually went there.*****************************************************************

Ezekiel Chapters 1-3

It is a blessing when God speaks to us, but we are responsible to share the good word he does share. We are not to learn andthen tuck it away; we need to speak God’s truth.We begin this study with the Israelites in their 5th year of Babylonian captivity (Ezekiel 1:2). God uses prophet Ezekiel to striketerror into the sinners, and bless the ones who fear God.FYI: The exiles in Babylonia captivity were not in inhuman conditions. They were able to build houses and live in them. Plantgardens, marry, and have children. While in Babylonia they were relatively free and were not considered slaves. (Jeremiah 29:5-7)While in captivity Ezekiel was given a series of visions and was commanded to speak to his fellow captives. Ezekiel was told tospeak whether they listened or not (Ezekiel 2:7).Ezekiel 1:4–3:15 Vision of four living creatures (Ezekiel 1:10).1. The first had the face of a man. (possibly representing intelligence)2. The second had the face of a lion. (possibly representing man as a ruler-strength & boldness)WEEK 1 PAGE 6