God Strengthens: Ezekiel Simply Explained (Welwyn Commentary Series | WCS)

by Derek W. H. Thomas

Publisher:

Evangelical Press

, 1993

Overview

Ezekiel's name means "God strengthens." Every time the prophet's name was mentioned, God's people were assured of his help and reminded of his promise to "strengthen the weak."

Ezekiel lived in times of great political turmoil and witnessed the final collapse of Judah to the Babylonian empire. His total, unquestioning willingness to do God's will, often at great cost to himself, during the long years of his faithful ministry in exile, is a shining example to Christian workers everywhere.

The message of Ezekiel is one of God's faithfulness to his covenant, both in carrying out judgment on sin and in the restoration and blessing of a remnant through the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The prophet's final vision looks forward to days of great blessing, encompassing not only the restoration from exile, but the blessings of the new covenant and the final glory of heaven.

Contents

Top Highlights

“God had a purpose to establish with this nation, not least the birth of his own Son as the Redeemer of sinners.” (Pages 243–244)

“The secret of interpretation here, as with similar passages in the rest of the Bible, is to get the overall picture first and let the details sort themselves out.” (Page 25)

“The first twenty-four chapters are full of unremitting judgements. These will prove difficult to read—but read them we must! God was angry with his people for their enormous crimes against the love he had shown them. We, too, need to know how utterly holy God is, and how he cannot tolerate sin, if we are to make progress in our relationship with him.” (Page 14)

“The commission contained in itself a sign of God’s continued favour to his covenant people: no matter how great their sin, he would not abandon them entirely. Even in Babylon he gave them a ‘town crier’ to warn them of dangers and summon them to action.” (Page 38)

“One fascinating statistic emerges in Ezekiel: that of the 359 occurrences of the phrase, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says’ in the Old Testament, one third of them (122) are in Ezekiel! The book claims (in a sense at least) more than any other to be from God. The widespread neglect of it is therefore all the more puzzling.” (Page 12)

Praise for the Print Edition

In a clear and straightforward style, Derek Thomas surveys the book of Ezekiel, drawing out the teaching of each passage and applying it in eminently practical ways. This exposition should encourage Christians to tackle Ezekiel with anticipation.

—Covenanter Witness

Product Details

• Title: God Strengthens: Ezekiel Simply Explained
• Author: Derek Thomas
• Publisher: Evangelical Press
• Series: Welwyn Commentary Series
• Publication Date: 1993
• Pages: 320

About Derek W. H. Thomas

Originally from Wales, Derek Thomas is the John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at the Jackson campus of RTS. After pastoring for 17 years in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Dr. Thomas returned to the USA in 1996 where, in addition to his work at the seminary, he serves as the Minister of Teaching at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson. In addition to serving in the pastorate, Derek has served as editor of the Evangelical Presbyterian, a monthly denominational magazine. A graduate of RTS in 1978, he gained a Ph.D. from the University of Wales, Lampeter in Calvin’s preaching on the book of Job. He has written or edited 15 books and has contributed to commentary series by Banner of Truth and Evangelical Press. He also co-edited Give Praise to God: A Vision for Reforming Worship, (P & R) with Philip Ryken and Ligon Duncan. In 2004, Derek Thomas became Editorial Director for The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and the editor of its ezine, Reformation 21 (www.reformation21.org ). His interests include the music of Richard Wagner, Anton Bruckner, and Gustav Mahler, and he has a passion for good coffee and blue cheese