Make-up exams – Friday, 12 December

Make-up exams – Friday, 12 December 3:00-5:30 in Jenks 406 PLEASE WRITE THIS DOWN! If you have missed an exam, this will be the day to retake it. It will be in essay format. If you wish to re-take any exam on which you have not earned the grade you would like, you may do so on reading day. It will also be an essay exam. You must let me know via e-mail by the end of this week (5 December) if you wish to take advantage of this option. In order to study for these exams, please use the study questions posted on Blackboard under Course Documents.

One Further Announcement • If there is sufficient interest, I shall be available for one final Open Forum tomorrow (Thursday) evening – 7:15-8:15. Place to be determined. • The primary issue of discussion would be our understanding of the implications of the prophetic voice for today.

Prophet of the Exile: Ezekiel

Introductory matters • And so what is most memorable about Ezekiel? • Why is Ezekiel called a “watchman”? • The prophets’ lives are models for faithful believers – and for faithful preachers

A Review of History • Nebuchadnezzar took multiple waves of exiles to Babylon, starting in 605 and continuing beyond the destruction of the Temple • Ezekiel, exiled in 597, was prophesying from Babylon

A New Literary Genre: Apocalyptic • Definition – revelation of those events that will happen in the end times • Characteristics: • Looks forward to a time when good will triumph • Dreams, visions, symbols • Fantastic images • Divisions of time and symbolic use of numbers • Often pseudonymous

Apocalyptic in the Arts: Ezekiel’s Vision of the Glory of God

General Outline of the Book • Chapters 1-24 – doom approaching for Jerusalem because of sin • Chapters 25-32 – prophecies against foreign nations – note especially Tyre and the prince of Tyre (chs 26-28) • Chapters 33-48 – revival and restoration of Israel to their land

Identity of Ezekiel • “the watchman of Israel” [chs 3 and 33] • “son of man” – human being • Priest (1:3) – knew the Temple well • Member of the second wave of exiles

Ezekiel’s Call (chapters 1-3) • A vision of God in a foreign land • Mission – speak to Israel (see 3:14) • Responsibility as a “watchman”

Media and Messages: Visions • The Glory of God (chapters 1, 8-11) • Four creatures – cherubim • Because of idolatry, God’s Glory would depart • Restoration/resurrection of Israel • Dry bones and resurrection (ch 37) • Gog from the land of Magog (chs 38-39; cf. Revelation 19-20) • The Glory returns to the new Temple (chs 40-46; esp 43:4) • Why are there sacrifices here? • What temple is this? • Note Revelation 21:22 • The river flowing from the Temple (47:1-12) – Revelation 22

Media and Messages: Symbolic Actions • Ch 3 – eating the scroll; made partially mute (vss 26-27) • Ch 4 – model of the siege of Jerusalem • Ch 5 – cutting his beard into three parts (a shaming action) • One-third burned • One-third struck with the sword • One-third scattered to the wind • A “remnant” saved • Ch 12 – digging through the wall and removing possessions  exile • Ch 24 – not mourning the death of his wife

Media and Messages: Allegories • Ch 16 – Jerusalem as an abandoned child who is saved but grows up to be a harlot • Ch 17 – Jerusalem: the top branch plucked off by an eagle • Ch 23 – Israel and Judah: two adulterous sisters • Ch 28 – Prince of Tyre

Promises of the New Covenant • David as shepherd and king (34:23-24; 37:24-28) • Covenant blessings • A “new heart and a new spirit” (36:26-28)

Make-up exams – Friday, 12 December