Reading for March 8th

Read Ezekiel 11-16 In 11-16: God acts as the shepherd (Ps 23) who will return the people who have been scattered. The fat and the strong will be destroyed because they neglected the people. Commwents or Questions..

Reading for March 7th

Read Ezekiel 34.1-10 In 341.-31: Oracle concerning Israel's leaders or "shepherds." Ezekiel contends that Israel's leaders have acted improperly and must be replaced. In verses 1-10: The image of the shepherd commonly portrays monarchs in the ancient Near East literature (David, 1 Sam 16.11; 17). God charges that the shepherds have not taken care of the "flock" so that they are scattered or sent in exile. Ah: Literally, "woe!" Commentes or Questions..

Reading for March 6th

Read Ezekiel 33.21-33 In the twelfth year ... in the tenth month ... the fifth day: January 19, 585 BCE. In verses 21-22: The prophet first receives word of the Temple's fall, and now speaks freely. In verses 23-29: Ezekiel counters the claim that the inhabitants of these waste places, desert nomads, will take control of the land. Ezekiel argues that they will be destroyed because they do not observe God's requirements for holy life in the land (Lev 17-18). In verses 30-33: God charges that people come to hear Ezekiel but will not do as he says. Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 5th

Read Ezekiel 33.10-20 In verses 10-20: See 18.21-32 on individual moral responsibilitiy. Ezekiel debates with those who believe that past righteousness can deliever someone who commits sin later in life and vice versa, Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 4th

ORACLES AND VISIONS OF RESORATION Chs -48: After the fall of Jerusalem (33.21-22), the book emphasizes restoration for Israel (chs. 33-39) and the Temple (chs. 40-48). Chs. 33-39: Oracles of restoration for Israel. News of Jerusalem's fall enables Ezekiel to speak (3.22-27). Many attribute Ezekiel's earlier silence to prophetic practice, but his priestly identity calls for him to serve at the alter in silence. After the Fall of the Temple, he can speak. Read Ezekiel 33.1-9 In 33.1-33: Ezekiel's responsibilites as Israel's sentinel. In keeping with the role of the priest to observe God's requirements for Temple service, the prophet now stands as sentinel or "watchman" on behalf of the people so that they will observe God's requirements. In verses 1-9: God establishes the analogy between the role of the prophet and that of a sentinel who stands watch over a city. The sentinel is not responsible for the fate of the people if he warns them, but he is fully responsible if he does not. The passage presupposes that the threats of death for the wicked can be reversed if they change their ways. Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 3rd

Read Ezekiel 32.17-32 In 32.17-32: Ezekiel's seventh oracle concerning Egypt. In verse 17: In the twelfth year ... the first month ... the fifteenth day: April 27, 586 BCE. In verse 18: God instructs Ezekiel to wail for Egypt as its people descend into the underworld. In verses 19-32: Egypt will jion the nations that have been destroyed. Assyria was conquered by Babylon and Media during the period 627-609 BCE. Elam was destroyed by the Assyrians in the mid seventh century BCE. Meshech and Tubal unidentitified kingdoms in Asia Minor that perhaps were taken by Assyria. Edom was conquered by Babylon. The princes of the north: probably the Phoenicians. Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 2nd

Read Ezekiel 32.1-16. in 32.1-16: Ezekiel's sixth oracle concerning Pharaoh and Egypt. In verse 1: In the twelfth year ... the twelfth month ... the first day: March 3, 586 BCE. In verses 2-15: The portrayal of Pharaoh's defeat by God draws upon the mythological tradition of God's defeat of the sea dragon Leviathan at creation (Isa 11.15; 27.1; Ps74.12-17; 104.7-9; Job 38.8-11; Ex 15). The motif of darkness recalls the plague of darkness against Egypt (Ex 10.21-29) and the "day of the Lord" traditions (Joel 2.1-2; 3.15; Zeph 1.15). The sword of the king of babylon:nebuchadnezzar. The nations will witness God's victory (Ex 15.13-18). In verse 16: Women served as mouners in the ancient Near East (Jer 9.17-18). Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 1st

Read Ezekiel 31.1-18 The fifth oracle concerning Pharaoh. The imagery of a fallen cedar of Lebanon portrays Pharaoh's downfall. In verse 1: In the eleventh year ... the third month ... the first day: June 21, 587 BCE. In verses 2-9: See Isaiah's portrayal of the Assyrain monarch as a tall tree that is felled (Isa 10.5-34) and the tradition of the well-watered tree in the Garden of Eden that plays a role in the downfall of Adam and Eve (Gen 2-3). In verses 10-14: Because of its height and arrogance, the tree is cut down (Isa 2.6-21; 10.5-34). The prince of the nations: Literally, "the ram of the nations," Nebachadnezzar The Babylonians boasted of the trees they took from Lebanon. Pit: underworld (Isa 14.3-23). In verses 15-18: Sheol: the Hebrew name for the underworld. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 28th

Read Ezekiel 30.20-26 In 30.20-26: The fourth oracle concerning Pharaoh. In the eleventh year ... the first month ... the seventh day: April 29, 587 BCE. The broken arm of Pharaoh refers to Nebuachadnezzar's defeat of Hophra, who atempted to relieve Jerusaelm in 588 BCE (Jer 37.5). The prophet anticipatates an even more devasting defeat of Egypt. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 27th

Read Ezekiel 30.10-19 Dry up the channels: Isa 19.1-15. In verses 13-19: ezekiel cites Egptian palce names to demonstrate that destruction will encompass the entire land. Memphis: the early cpatial south of Cairo. Zoan: Also called Rameses. Tanis, and Avaris, the site where the Hebrew slaves worked in the Nile Delta (Ps 78.12, 43; Ex 1.11). Thebes: Egypt's captiial throughout much of Israel's history. Pelusium: near Zoan in the northeastern delta. On Heliopolis, six miles northeastern delta. On Heliopolis, six miles northeast of Cairo. Pi-beseth: Bubastis in the eastern Delta. Tehaphnehes: By the north shore of the Gulf of Suez. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 26th

Reead Ezekiel 30.1-9 In 30.1-19: The third oracle concerning Egypt. In verse 1: This section contains four oracles. In verses 2-5: God instructs Ezekiel to lament for Egypt and Ethopia. Egypt was ruled by an Ethopian dynasty during the late seventh and early sixth centuries BCE (see Isa 20). The prophet employs the "Day of the Lord" motif (Am 5.18-20; Isa 2.6-21; 13.34; Zeph 1.2-18; 2.1-13). Put and Luci: See comments on 27.10-11. In verses 6-9: This oracle draws on the "Day of Lord" materials in Isaiah. Proud might shall come down; Isa 2.6-21. Messengers shall go out: Isa 18.1-2. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 25th

Read Ezekiel 29.17-21. In 29.17-21: The second oracle concerning Egypt. The twenty-seventh year ... the first month ... the first day: April 26, 571 BCE. Ezekiel refers to Nebuchadnezzar's failure to conquer Tyre as a basis for his campaign against Egypt. Following the conclusion of his siege against Tyre in 573 BCE, Nebuchadnezzar attack Egypt in 668 BCE but faied to conquer the land. A horn ... for the house of Israel refers to the restoration of the Davidic monarchy in the aftermath of Egypt's collapse (see Ia 11.1-16: Ps 132.17). Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 24th

Seven Oracles concerning Egypt and its rulers. In chs. 29-32: Egypt played a mjor role in instigating the revolt against its enemy Babylon. When Pharaoh Hophra attempted to relieve Jerusalem from Babylonian siege in 588 BCE, he was repulsed (Jer 37; 44.30; see also Jer 32). Read Ezekiel 29.1-16 In 29.1-16: The first oracle concerning Egypt. In verses 1-3a: In the tenth year ... tenth month ... the twelfth day: January 7, 587 BCE. In 3b-7: Ezekiel addresses Pharaoh probably Hophra, after his failed attempt to rescue Jerusalem. The great dragon: Egypt is compared to a dragon in Isa 11,15, which employs the imagery of the seven-headed Leviathan (Lothan) of Canaanite mythology, and in Isa 30.7 to the sea dragon Rahab (see also Isa 51.9-10;Job 9.13; 26.12-13; Ps 89.9-10). The Nile river is the source of Egypt's life. A staff of reed to the house of Israel symbolizes an unreliable support (compare Isa 36.3;2 Kings 18.21). In verses 8-12: Egypt's judgment results from Pharaoh's claim that the Nile is his and not God's (28.2). From Migdol to Syene: cities that define the northern and southern borders of Egypt. Forty years: Forty is a common number for a complete and lengthy period of time (Num 14.33; Judg 3.31; 1 Kings 2.11). In verse 13-16: Like Israel after it had been punished (28.25-26). Egypt will be restored to its land as a minor kingdom. The prophet clearly has in mind Egypt's failure to aid Israel in its time of need. Pathros: Upper Egypt, the southern portion of the kingdom. In Egypt, "up" is south (upstream on the Nile) and "down" is north (downstream on the Nile). Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 23rd

Read Ezekiel 28.25-26 In 28.25-26: Oracle of blessing for Israel. Once the nations that treated Israel with contempt are destroyed, the exiles will return to the land of Israel sworn to Jacob (Gen 28: 35) to manifest God's holiness in the world. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God: The self-identification formula. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 22nd

Read Ezekiel 28.20-24. In 28.20-24: Oracle concerning Sidon. Another Phoenican port city, 25 miles north of Tyre. Sidon joined the revolt (Jer 27.3) and probably fell to Nebuchadnezzar. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 21st

Read Ezekiel 28.1-19 In 28.1-19: Oracles concerning the rulers of Tyre. In verses 1-10: Self:deification, a frequent claim of ancient Near Eastern rulers. You are indeed wiser than Daniel: Ezekiel appartently holds the Tyrian king in high regard and compares him to Daniel (Heb., Dan El), the wise ruler of Canaanite mythology who stands behind the figure of Daniel in biblical tradition (14.12-20). Ezekiel charges that the king has overstepped his bounds. The mythological languge of descent into the sea and the Pit reappears. The uncircumcised are non-Israelites (see Gen 17). In verses 11-19: Signet: a sign of royal authority. Ezekiel employs the imagery of the Garden of Eden story to describe the Tyrian king's downfall. The prophet charges the king with currupt trade practices. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 20th

Read Ezekiel 27.25b-36 The lament resumes with a description of Tyre as a ship sinking by the east wind, a symbol of God's power (Ex 14.21). Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 19th

Read Ezekiel 27.12-25a. A prose section contains a catalogue of Tyre's extensive commerical relations. Tarish: Tartessos in southern Spain. Javen: Ionians or Greeks. Tubal and Meshech: Asia Minor. Beth-togarmah: Armenia. Rhodians (Greek) means Dedanites in Hebrew. Edom: Some read "Aram," but in v. 14 makes this unlikely. Turquoise, purple: Phoenicia was known for trade in purple dye derived from shellfish. Phoenicia (Gk., "Phoinikos") and Canaan mean "purple." Minnith: In Ammonite territory (Judge 11.33). Helbon:Thirteen miles to the north of Damascus. Vedanand Javan from Uzal; Uzal is sana inyemen. Dedan: in central Arabia. Kendar: in Arabia. Sheba: in Arabia or Ethiopia. Haran, Canneh, Eden: Cities in Syria. Asshur: Assyrai. Chilmad: Media. Comments or questions..

Reading for February 18th

Read Ezekiel 27.1-11. Lamentation over Tyre. The "qinah" meter appears in vv.3-9, 25-36 (see comment on 19.1). In verses 3-9: Ezekiel portrays Tyre as a well-built ship, which symbolizes the way in which Tyre achieved wealth through maritime trade. Senir: Mt. Hermon in northern Israel (deut 3.9). Bashan: The region east of the sea of Galilee. Elishah: Cyprus. Arvad: Phoenicia. Zemer means "tyre" in Hebrew. Gebal: Bybos. In verses 10-11: Tyre's defenders incude mercemary troops. Paras: Persia. Lud: Libya. Helechmeans "your army" in Hebrew. Gmad is uncertain/ Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 17th

Read Ezekiel 26.15-21. In verses 15-18: Princes of the sea is an allusion to Tyre's trading partners and allies. They sahll raise a lamentation: This poem is composed in the "qinah" meter, characteristic of laments (see comments on 19.1). In verses 19-21: Ezekeiel employs mythological language to portray Tyre's fall. I bring up the deep over you reverses the imagery of creation in which dry land emerges from the waters (Gen 1). Desccend into the Pit: Descent into the underworld at death (see 32.17-22; Isa 24.22; Ps 63.9; 139.15) was a characteristic motif of Babylonian mythology is which the fertility god Tammuz had to be rescued from the underworld each year by the goddess Ishtar. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 16th

Read Ezekiel 26.7-14. Nebuchadnezzar: The Akkadian (the semitic language of ancient Mesopotamia) name is frequentlu misprounced in Hebrew as Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 1.1). Ezekiel's description presupposes the tactics and weapons of land warfare were useless against an island state. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 15th

Oracles concerning Tyre and its rulers. Chs. 26-28: Tyre, the preeminent power of the ancient world, joined Judah in revolt against Bybylon (jer 27.3). The Phoenician city of Tyre was an island until its conquest in 332 BCE by Alexander the Great, who built an earthen corridor through the water to assult the city by land. Shortly after his conquest of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Tyre for 13 years but was never able to conquer it. Read Ezekiel 26.1-6. In 26.1-21: Four oracles concerning the destruction of Tyre. In verse 1; The evenenth year ... the first day of the month: 587 BCE, shortly after the fall of Jerusalem. In verses 2-6: Ezekiel's indictment and sentencing of Tyre presupposes that the city was a commercial rival to Judah. Gateway of the peoples, literally "gateways," indicates Judah's role in controlling in land trade routes. Bare rock ("sela" or "rock" in hebrew) plays upon the Hebrew name "Sor" (Tyre) which means "rock." Daughter-towns designates nearby towns that were subsidary to Tyre. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 14th

Read Ezekiel 25.15-17. The Oracle concerning Philista. Philista was occupied by Assyria durig the eighth and seventh centuries BCE and was turned into an idustrial center for the production of olive oil. It is no clear what action they took against Judah in the sixth century. Philistia was located along the Mediterranean coast, west and south of the hill countr of Judah. Cherethites, the Creatans, were ancestors of the Philistines. Comments or Questions..

Reading fpr February 13th

Read Ezekiel 25.12-14. In 25.12-14: The oracle concerning Edom. Edom symbolizes God's wrath, perhaps because of its role in the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple (Ps 137.7; Lam 4.21-22; Ob 1-14). It was located southwest of the Dead Sea and sometimes encroached upon southern Judean territories. Edom ancestor, Esau, was Jacob's twin brother (Gen 25-35). Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 12th

Read Ezekiel 25.8-11. In 25.8-11: The oracle concerning Moab. Like Ammon, the Moabites assisted the Babylonians against Judah (2 Kings 24.1-2) and later joined the anti-Babylonians coalition (Jer 27.3). Moab was located east of the southern portion of the Dead Sea. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 11th

EZEKIEL'S ORACLES CONCERNING THE NATIONS. Chs 25-32: Like other prophetic books (Isa 13-23; Jer 46-51), Ezekiel contains a section of oracles concerning foreign nations, which are intended to domanstrate God's power throughout the world. The nations included here, Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philista, Tyre, and Egypt, would all be considered as targets of the Babylonian empire, although Egypt was never taken. Ezekeiel identifies the projected expansion of Babylonia as an act of God. Read Ezekiel 25.1- 7. In 25.1-7: The oracle concerning Ammon. The Babylonians employed Ammonites against Judah (2 Kings 24.1-2). Later, the Ammonites joined Judah in an anti-Babylonian coalition (Jer 27.3). Ammon was located east of the Jordan River. Rabbah, the site of the present Amman, Jordan, was the capital.. The Ammonites are condemned in part for mocking the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple. The people of the east are nomadic Arab tribes from northern Arabian desert who moved into Ammon and Moab following their destruction by Babylonia. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 10th

Read Ezekiel 24.15-27 In 24.15-27: The death of Ezekiel's wife. The death of Ezekiel's wife symbolizes the destruction of Jerusalem (see Isa 7; 8; Jer 16; Hos 1-3). In verses 15-18: Ezekiel's action draws upon priestly sancity to symbolize the inability of God and the people of Judah to mourn the loss of Jerusalem when in exile. Priests may not come into contact with the dead (Lev 21.1-12), and the high priest may not mourn for the dead (Lev 21.10-12; compare 10.1-7). In verses 19-24: I will profane my sanctuary: Only priests could enter the most holy place. The people are to be fully dressed, with turbans and sandals, as they go into exle. In verses 25-27: During the Temple service, the priests officated in silence. When the Temple is destroyed, Ezekiel will be able to speak again. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 9th

Read Ezekiel 24.1-14. In 24.1-4: The allegory of the pot. As a temple priest, Ezekiel's duties include tending to pots used to cook sacrificial meat (1 Sam 2.12-17). Like Jeremiah (a priest desended from Eli), he employs activities from his own life as symbolic means to express God's word (see Jer 1.13). In verses 1-2; The ninth year ... the tenth month ... the tenth day: January 15, 588 BCE, apparently the day on which Nebuchadnezzar begins the siege of Jerusalem. In verse 3-5: The thigh and the shoulder, the choice offerings (Num 18.12), including the breast and thigh (Ex 29.26-28; Lev 7.28-36; 10.12-15; Num 18.18; Gen 32.32), are given to the priest. In verses 6-8: The imagery of the corroded bottom of the pot symbolizes the bloody crimes of Jerusalem. Blood is sacred and must be covered when shed (Lev 17.13-16; Gen 9.1-7). In verses 9-14: As a cauldron is cleansed by fire, Ezekiel calls for the "cleansing" of Jerusalem by fire. Comments or Questions..