Commentary on Ezekiel Chapters 33 through 39:

"The Prophecy of Ezekiel"

I could remember in my first read through the Old Testament, I was amazed at how fast the Israelites would forget what God had done for them and begin to complain again. But, then I remembered, while knowing what Jesus had done for me, I would react in the same way the Israelites did— how fast I would forget and live a life worthy of death. But praise Jesus, who said, "Father, forgive (him) for (he) does not know what (he) is doing." I've been set free from a life worthy of death, even though I am still living in a corrupted mortal body.

It's just human nature to only see the human aspect of things while one is in times of hardship and forget what God has done for you. Just look at Jesus' disciples in Mark chapter six through chapter eight. In chapter 6:30-44, Jesus, and His disciples went to a solitary place, away from the town, not anticipating five thousand followers would tag along. When it came time for them to eat, there was not enough food for all the people. They only had five loaves of bread and two fish, yet Jesus said, "give them something to eat."

Miraculously, by faith, they had enough to go around. Then, right after that miracle, we have the instance, the same night, of Jesus walking on the water in the midst of a storm. Peter also got out of the boat in faith and walked on the water a bit, until unbelief started to creep into his mind and he began to sink. Jesus reached out His hand and saved him. What a miracle! You can find this account in Mark 6:45-52.

Then, in chapter eight, again, we have a situation where, Jesus, His disciples, and this time, four thousand followers were in a remote place. Again, Jesus wanted His disciples to feed them. Now the Bible does not tell us the time that has elapsed between this event and the other two events, but it doesn't appear to be that long. Yet, the disciples answered Jesus in verse 4, "But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?" (NIV translation)

Amazing isn't it? How fast we humans forget! So, what is my point, with all this, if I am doing a study on Ezekiel's prophecy? Well, I am just trying to get the point across that God has had a plan from the beginning of time, and a part of that plan is to train mankind. And the only way they will learn is through trial and error. His plan is focused on the children of Israel, via the promise to Abraham, but it is also for us Gentiles as well. We are now in the time of the Gentiles or the Church age, but it will not be long before God's focus will be, once again, directed toward the children of Israel. As a matter of fact, the prophecies that we are about to delve into, have already begun!

Although I do not believe it was a surprise to God, it was evident since the Garden of Eden, that man's spirit was in a corrupt state, and God had His work cut out for Him, to bring mankind around to His thinking. These instances I have just mentioned, as well as the entire Bible, and life as we know it today— is God's training camp for us humans. These events were all choreographed, by God, with the help of man's freedom of choice, to help man come to the understanding that he cannot live without God. We have tried, and tried, and tried, but we just keep screwing up.

Even those who, by worldly standards, are considered successful in this life, are truly not successful at all. In God's eyes some of them are the least successful. The first thirty two chapters of Ezekiel's prophetic book, is dedicated to rehashing the fall of the nation of Israel, which led to Israel being conquered and the Jewish people being scattered around the world. In chapter 33 of Ezekiel, the prophet begins to speak of God's plan to restore the nation of Israel in the end times. Without further delay, let's dig in!

Chapter 33: Warning From the Watchman

I'm going to start in chapter 33, with verse 21. This is the starting point which concerns this study. Actually, the whole Old Testament is the precursor for Ezekiels prophecy, but starting here in verse 21, we have a brief synopsis of what leads up to the restoration of the nation of Israel.

We start off in verse 21 with the capture of Israel. After many years of frustration on the part of God, in reference to the non-obedience of His people Israel. God removes His hand from protecting Israel with the ultimate goal of convincing His people that they cannot survive without Him.

In verse 25-26, God tells Ezekiel to relay the message to the Israelites why Jerusalem has been captured, it reads, "25) 'Therefore say to them', Thus says the Lord GOD: 'You eat meat with blood, you lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood. Should you then possess the land? 26) You rely on your sword, you commit abominations, and you defile one another’s wives. Should you then possess the land?'"

This statement by God follows the Israelites saying that Abraham was only one man, yet he inherited the land. But, we (the Israelites) are many, so the land is given to us as a possession or inheritance through Abraham. But, God is telling them, what right do you have to claim this land as your own? In verse 28, God calls the Israelites arrogant, and tells them they will die in the land. He already refers to the land as a ruin, why? Because He has removed his blessing and protection from the land. God knows without His hand of protection, the Israelites have no chance to survive the onslaught of the nations around them, who hate them.

Verse 29 tells us God's ultimate goal, "Then they shall know that I am the LORD." God wants the Israelites to know He, and He only is God, and ultimately know that Jesus, whom they will eventually crucify, is their promised Messiah. That particular prophecy has not been fulfilled as of yet in reference to the Jews, but it has begun. There are many Jewish groups out there who's eyes are beginning to be opened, and are turning to Jesus as their Messiah. I believe that they can be, in some ways, the modern day watchman that God refers to earlier in chapter 33. God expects them to warn the house of Israel that their Messiah has been there all along, and to open up their spiritual eyes and see. Those who do not listen, their blood will be on their own heads! But, for those who believe but do not tell anyone else, those people, if they do not receive the Good News, their blood will be on the heads of those who were given the news, but did not spread it.

The final verses of chapter 33, verses 30-33, are very eerily similar to many Christians today. I must admit, there was a time after being born again, where I fell into this category, so I am not just being critical of others. They read, "30) As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’ 31) So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. 32) Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them. 33) And when this comes to pass—surely it will come—then they will know that a prophet has been among them."

Here God is telling Ezekiel, that His people are coming to hear the Word of God, yet after hearing, they go off and pursue their own goals, or gain as the Scripture says it. They do not do as the Word of God says. Sounds a lot like Christians today, who go to Church every Sunday, yet Monday through Saturday they live according to the worlds ways, disregarding everything they have learned in God's Word the Sunday before. Then they cry out to God in anger when blessings don't go their way or when tragedy hits— when life seems to turn on them. "Where's God?" They will cry.

But, God ends chapter 33 with a word of encouragement, even to those who did not heed His teaching. He says, "And when this comes to pass— surely it will come— then they will know that a prophet has been among them." God's Word will come to pass, you can be sure of that, and those who didn't take it seriously, will eventually know that the prophecies and teachings, were what they should have been acknowledging. Not the ways of the world that appear, on the surface, to be exciting and the things to pursue, yet, when had, only last for a short time and do not fulfill. God's blessings are for eternity— once had, they're yours forever!

Next month in part 2 of this study, we will begin to get into the prophecies that will show the restoration of Israel, that no man will be able to deny!

Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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