Ezekiel Chapter 1

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Introduction: We begin our new study on the book of Ezekiel. This is a long book and may take the better part of a year to complete. Ezekiel was one of the Jewish priests taken as a captive to Babylon likely at the second deportation which took place 596-7 B.C. Like Daniel, Ezekiel wrote from outside of the land of Israel. Though there are references to the “whole house of Israel” late in the book, the basic message of Ezekiel was to rebellious Jews still in the land prior to the final deportation of Judah in 586 B.C. He wrote to condemn rebellious Judah for their sin and exhorted them to repent.

The name Ezekiel literally means ‘he who God strengthened.’ It seems that the Jews of the initial deportation in 605 B.C. were willing to hearken to Jeremiah’s warning to surrender to Babylon whereas those who remained in the land tended to be rebellious to that directive.

The first chapter of Ezekiel deals with three matters: (1) the vision of God and of the angelic creatures in verses 1-14; (2) the description of the heavenly ‘wheels’ or spheres in verses15-25; and, a revelation of God upon His heavenly throne in verses 26-28. Ezekiel in effect was ushered into the presence of God (by way of a vision) and given divine authority for his ministry.

I. Ezekiel Sees Visions of God

Eze 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

The Book of Ezekiel begins with visions, the very root of his purpose concerning Gods people. Ezekiel announced when and where he first saw “visions of God.” The fourth month of the Hebrew calendar roughly corresponds to July in our western calendar. It is unclear what the thirtieth year mentioned is referring to.

Some have suggested that it hearkens back to the time when the book of the Law was found by Hilkiah the priest during the reign of Josiah, king of Judah. Others suggest this was the thirtieth year of Nabopolassar, father of Nebuchadnezzar, which was the official beginning of the Babylonian Empire in 625 B.C.

Because of the date marker in the next verse, I believe that this may simply refer to the age of Ezekiel. The date of the beginning of Ezekiel’s ministry probably was in about 593 or 592 B.C. Ezekiel specifically describes himself as being “among the captives,” that is, the captives of Judah in Babylon. Though not stated, it is likely that he was part of the second group of captives taken at the first incursion against Jerusalem in 596- 597 B.C.

The Chebar River was a branch of the lower Euphrates as it neared the Persian Gulf. It was in the heart of historic Chaldea which was part of the central Babylonian Empire. Jews were settled there after their arrival from Judah. There and at that time, Ezekiel saw the heavens opened and God revealed wondrous things to him. The unfolding scene will parallel that of Isaiah 6 and Revelation 4 when John was ushered into heaven by way of a vision.

Eze 1:2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,

Eze 1:3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

Another specific date marker is noted and apparently is the same date as noted in verse 1—the fourth month of the fifth year of Jehoiachin’s captivity. The latter was taken in captivity in 597 B.C. and the fifth year thereof would place this date in about 593 or 592 B.C. (depending whether inclusive years are included or not).

Jehoiachin was the son of Jehoiakim who reigned a total of three months and ten days (II Chronicles 36:9).

2Ch 36:9 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.

The first major section of the book is introduced in “the word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest.” The lineage of Ezekiel is noted in that He was a priest, the son of Buzi.

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