Ezekiel (Believers Church Bible Commentary | BCBC)
Overview
The Believers Church Bible Commentary Series is published for all who seek more fully to understand the original message of Scripture and its meaning for today—Sunday school teachers, members of Bible study groups, students, pastors, and other seekers. The series is based on the conviction that God is still speaking to all who will listen, and that the Holy Spirit makes the Word a living and authoritative guide for all who want to know and do God’s will.
Each volume illuminates the Scriptures; provides historical and cultural background; shares necessary theological, sociological, and ethical meanings; and, in general, makes "the rough places plain." Critical issues are not avoided, but neither are they moved into the foreground as debates among scholars. The series aids in the interpretive process, but it does not attempt to supersede the authority of the Word and Spirit as discerned in the gathered church.
The Believers Church Bible Commentary is a cooperative project of Brethren in Christ Church, Brethren Church, Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Brethren Church, and Mennonite Church.
Overall Outline
The commentaries are organized into sections according to the major divisions of the text. Each section comprises five parts:
- An introductory preview
- A summary outline of the section
- Explanatory notes
- The text in its biblical context
- The text in the life of the church
Ezekiel
Millard C. Lind has taught the book of Ezekiel for thirty years in seminary and in the church. He skillfully opens the prophet's message about God's presence, covenant, victorious rule, concern for the nations, and cleansing for worship and obedience. The "wheel" and "dry bones" are not just for entertainment. This actor, singer, and instrumentalist is prophesying to a battered people who need the word of the Lord for survival and mission.
God has called Ezekiel to be a sentinel for his people, to warn them of pending danger. They must not look back to unjust Jerusalem nor join a revolt against Babylon. Instead, they are to turn and live by God's law, even in a foreign land. After judging the nations and Jerusalem, God will restore Israel to a renewed land. The people will be given a new heart and spirit—a resurrection. God will defeat international terror and organize Israel as a new temple community, with the Lord in their midst. Then all will now that God leads world history, not by militarists, but through a people serving as a moral exemplar for the nations.
Top Highlights
“Modern interpreters generally agree that this vision is not about literal resurrection of dead bones of Israelites. Instead, it is about the renewal of Israel’s life and return to their home.” (Page 296)
“This outer ring is essential to the meaning of the call, for it is important that the vision begins and ends in the real world, with the chariot wheels on the ground. The vision is no flight from reality into a world of fantasy. Instead, it is addressed to a displaced person and concerned with a people in a tragic situation.” (Page 27)
“The concept of the heavens … opened in a vision is found only here in the OT. It is used twice in the NT. The account of Stephen’s vision echoes Ezekiel’s call, using similar vocabulary: spirit, glory of God, heavens opened, and Son of Man (Acts 7:55–56; Ezek. 2:2; 1:28; 1:1; 2:1, NIV). The vision recorded in Revelation 4:1–8 has many parallels to Ezekiel: the opened heavens, in the spirit, One upon the throne, the rainbow, lightning, thunder, glass like crystal, and four living creatures with faces like a human being, a lion, an ox, and an eagle.” (Page 27)
“These creatures, called cherubim in 10:1, were associated at ancient Shiloh with the ark of the covenant (1 Sam. 4:4; cf. Exod. 25:18–22; 1 Kings 6:23–36; Rev. 4:6–9). However, their four faces correspond to ancient Near Eastern art, particularly that of Assyria (1:6; ABD, 1:900). Borrowing centrally from his ancient Israelite tradition, Ezekiel does not hesitate to update this tradition with his own experience in a foreign environment.” (Page 30)
Clear, concise, critically responsible, and informed by a deeply felt pastoral concern. Lind writes from a free-church perspective and helps to bring alive the prophet's message of judgment and salvation for readers of different backgrounds who are trying to make Christian community a reality in their own lives.
—Joseph Blenkinsopp, John A. O'Brien Professor, Biblical Studies, University of Notre Dame
John W. Miller's commentary is a superb piece of work because of its detailed treatment of nearly every proverb, and his careful placement of the development and purpose of the book in the reign of King Hezekiah in the 8th century as a second edition.
—Laurence Boadt, Paulist Press
Here is solid scholarship with certain unpopular twists and interpretations. In place of a pedantic verse by verse approach, this thematic treatment of Proverbs provides a surprisingly contemporary manual on some critical issues of Christian discipleship. Miller offers very helpful pastoral insights for the 21st-century preacher.
—James M. Lapp, Franconia Mennonite Conference
- Title: Ezekiel
- Author: Millard C. Lind
- Publisher: Herald Press
- Publication Date: 1996
- Pages: 398