Page 136 - Advanced OT Survey Revised

Chapter 12: Exilic Books of Prophecy (Major Prophets: 2 Books)

Connect…

Why does God allow his people to go through suffering? This is one of the biggest questions asked by
many people. The Book of Daniel and Ezekiel gives us a glimpse of what the children of God went
through during the Exile. God makes it clear that he allowed them to be taken into exile because of their
continuous rebellion. Sometimes God allows his children to suffer because He wants to discipline them.
However, even in the midst of their suffering God revealed His presence among them and gave them
hope that their suffering was not permanent….

Objectives…

1. The student should be able to discuss what the two exilic books of Prophecy are all about.

2. The student should be able to discuss the important questions such as: what, when, where, how
for each book.

3. The student should be able to discuss the main message and main divisions of each individual
exilic book of Prophecy.

4. The student should be able to discuss the applications from these books.

The Lesson ...

Ezekiel ‘May YHWH strengthens’ (priest)

Date/Setting: 592-572 B.C. (1:3, 40:1), last days of Judah, after 2nd exile (written from Babylon)

Theme(s): Glory (YHWH leaves temple), Greatness (I am YHWH, 80+
times), Renewal (People and Covenant), Return (Temple and Glory)

Main Message: Because of Zion’s sin, God removes His glory and
promises judgment to purify remnant, punish Israel’s enemies and
proclaim His greatness! In the future, God will renew His people and
covenant, and return to His temple and glory!

Brief Summary: How can you cope with a world gone astray? Ezekiel, destined to begin his life’s
ministry as a priest at age thirty, was uprooted from his homeland and marched off to Babylon at the
age of twenty-five. For five years he languished in despair. At age thirty a majestic vision of Yahweh’s

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