Transcript Prophets of the Exile: - Gordon College Faculty

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
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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
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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
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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
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Definition – revelation of those events that
will happen in the end times
Characteristics:
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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
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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
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“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)
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A vision of God in a foreign land
Mission – speak to Israel (see 3:14)
Responsibility as a “watchman”
Media and Messages: Visions
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The Glory of God (chapters 1, 8-11)
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Restoration/resurrection of Israel
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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)
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Four creatures – cherubim
Because of idolatry, God’s Glory would depart
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
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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)
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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
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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
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David as shepherd and king (34:23-24;
37:24-28)
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Covenant blessings
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A “new heart and a new spirit” (36:26-28)