Today’s passage: Ezekiel 1
Helpful thoughts:
- Ezekiel came from the priestly line and prophesied during the exile between 593-571 B.C.
- Many believe the reference to the “thirtieth year” in verse 1 relates to his age when the first prophetic vision occurred. Therefore, Ezekiel would have been just over 50 years old by the end of this book. These visions we will read didn’t happen every day, but over a 22 year period of time.
- Ezekiel does his best (With the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) to describe what he saw in words. All that Ezekiel sees resounds to the glory of God!
- The Ark of the Covenant was a shadow or a symbol of the real thing! (Exodus 25:10-22)
- When the thunderous, glorious presences of God is realized, Ezekiel doesn’t need to think twice, he is ready to listen.
Questions to consider:
- What was Ezekiel’s response to all that he saw and heard (Verse 28)? What does this teach us about the glory of God, His nature, and what happens when He decides He will be heard? Do you think Ezekiel even felt his listening at that moment was optional?
- How does Ezekiel’s immediate response to this vision compare to the Apostle John’s (Revelation 1:17)? Isaiah’s (Isaiah 6:5)? What are the similarities? How does this help us to learn more about who and all that God is?
- How does a right understanding of who God is change our perspective on our lives and actions? How does it impact our thinking about who Christ is and why He came to die for our sins?