Tag: bsf exile and return lesson 1

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 5: Ezekiel 2:3-10

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Ezekiel 2:3-10

God sends Ezekiel to the Israelites to deliver His messages. He tells Ezekiel to not be afraid of the people and to speak His words. Ezekiel then sees a scroll in God’s hands. Words of lament, mourning, and woe are written on it.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 5: Ezekiel 2:3-10

12) To the Israelites

13a) He tells Ezekiel that many will not listen. They may say terrible things. They are rebellious.

b) God tells Ezekiel not to be afraid of their reactions and to eat what he gives him (aka words to say). By telling Ezekiel that they may not listen, this helps Ezekiel not worry about how the message is received, but instead to just deliver the message. Also, by God appearing to Ezekiel personally, this strengthens Ezekiel’s faith by knowing that it is God calling him.

14) We all should remember that we are not responsible for whether people receive the word of God and turn to Him. God is the one who will turn their hearts. All we have to do is deliver the Good News. We are guided by the Holy Spirit and will know what to say. I am encouraged to pray to the Lord to put people in my life whom I am supposed to share Him with. And, I know God will give me the strength to do so.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 5: Ezekiel 2:3-10

Great lesson on the real challenges believers face in bringing the Good News to the world.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 5: Ezekiel 2:3-10

Note: Ezekiel is speaking to both the nations of Judah and Israel here. Apart from God, the Israelites are just another heathen nation.

The people are repeatedly called “rebellious.” Not exactly good in God’s eyes.

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says,” is repeated in the book of Ezekiel. This is to say that Ezekiel is bringing God’s message, not his own, to the people.

Rejection can hurt, but God tells Ezekiel to ignore it.

We are to receive God’s word as if we are eating it: take it completely in.

Note: this may or may not be God’s hands. It could be the cherubims’. The text just says “a hand.”

The message was complete since both sides of the scroll were written on (traditionally, at this time, only one side would be written on).

Note that we have a much more cheerful message to bring to people (the news of Jesus Christ). Ezekiel just had to tell the people to turn to God or face His wrath.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Ezekiel 2:3-10 details the core of the prophet’s difficult commission, defining his audience, his required attitude, and the content of his message.

The interpretation of its key elements is as follows:

  • The Rebellious Audience: God explicitly warns Ezekiel that he is being sent to the people of Israel, who are described as an obstinate, stubborn, and rebellious nation. This sets the expectation that his mission will be met with resistance. The goal is not necessarily to achieve success, but to ensure that a prophet of the LORD has spoken, leaving the people without excuse.
  • The Call to Fearlessness: God commands Ezekiel not to be afraid of the people or their hostile words, comparing them to thorns, briers, and scorpions. This highlights the dangerous and painful nature of the prophetic task and emphasizes that the prophet’s courage must come from his divine mandate, not the promise of a positive reception.
  • The Eaten Scroll: Ezekiel is given a scroll to eat, which is covered on both sides with “words of lament and mourning and woe.” This powerful symbolic act reveals two key truths:
    1. Internalization: The prophet must completely absorb and digest God’s message, making it a part of his very being before he can proclaim it to others.
    2. Content: The initial message is not one of comfort, but of unavoidable and severe judgment due to the people’s rebellion.

In essence, this passage establishes Ezekiel’s ministry as one of courageous faithfulness. He is called to internalize and deliver a painful message of judgment to a hard-hearted people, regardless of their response.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 4: Ezekiel 1:22-2:2

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Ezekiel 1:22-2:2

Ezekiel continues his vision, seeing a vault spread out over the living creatures. He describes their wings, which sounded like the voice of the Almighty. He describes God on his throne above the living creatures. He was radiant and appeared like glowing metal and fire. He fell facedown upon seeing the glory of God.

God told him to stand so that He could speak to him.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 4: Ezekiel 1:22-2:2

9) Ezekiel continues his vision, seeing a vault spread out over the living creatures. He describes their wings, which sounded like the voice of the Almighty. He describes God on his throne above the living creatures. He was radiant and appeared like glowing metal and fire.

10) He fell facedown upon seeing the glory of God. He was overwhelmed by God’s holiness and glory and felt unworthy to be in God’s presence. He is completely surrendering to God.

11a) He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.”

b) The Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.

c) Psalm 24:4 says that the one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god can stand before God. Philippians 3:9 says that those who have faith in Christ’s cleansing blood (who have been made righteous) can stand before God. Jesus cleanses us and allows us to be with God!

d) Truthfully, how have I not? God is responsible for everything in my life. He is always working to bring me to His path.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 4: Ezekiel 1:22-2:2

It just reminds me of Mercy Me’s classic song, I Can Only Imagine. I can’t wait for this moment!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 4: Ezekiel 1:22-2:2

Ezekiel first describes God’s voice and then God’s likeness. It was held by the Jewish people that God could not ever be fully expressed, or it was blasphemy. God defies human description.

We’ve seen four colors in Ezekiel 1:

  1. Beryl or emerald green (Ezekiel 1:16)
  2. Clear crystal (Ezekiel 1:22)
  3. Sapphire blue (Ezekiel 1:26)
  4. Golden-brown amber (Ezekiel 1:27)

We see God’s power and radiance (red and yellow), His promise to all of humanity (rainbow), and God everywhere

God exists outside of the temple, seen clearly here, and super important in that time period to be made known.

Ezekiel humbly surrenders when he falls on his face.

Fun Fact: God calls Ezekiel “son of man” 93 times. This is the first time.

Jesus refers to himself as “Son of Man” 80 times in the Gospels. This refers to Jesus being the Messiah. Here, when Ezekiel is addressed as “son of man,” it’s literal.

It is good to stand to receive the Word of the Lord.

The Spirit entering Ezekiel was the Holy Spirit here. Since this was before the gift of the Holy Spirit to all of humanity, this was a unique situation and entrance for Ezekiel when the Spirit entered with God’s words.

We see the Spirit lifting Ezekiel a lot in his book (Ezekiel 2:2, 3:14; 8:3; 11:1, 24; 37:1; 43:5).

Notice that God gives Ezekiel the power to stand to do His work. So God gives us the strength to do His calling upon our lives.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Ezekiel 1:22-2:2 describes the climax of the prophet’s inaugural vision, revealing God’s glorious presence and commissioning Ezekiel for his mission.

The interpretation of the key elements is as follows:

  • The Throne and the Divine Figure: Above the living creatures is a crystal platform, upon which rests a throne. On the throne is a figure with a human-like appearance, but composed of fire and brilliant light. This reveals God’s transcendent glory and ultimate authority as King, portraying Him in a form that is both relatable (human shape) and utterly divine (made of light and fire).
  • The Rainbow: The radiant glory surrounding the figure is compared to a rainbow. This is a powerful symbol of mercy and covenant faithfulness, recalling God’s promise to Noah. It tempers the vision’s terrifying power with an assurance of God’s enduring promise, even as He is about to pronounce judgment.
  • Ezekiel’s Response and Commission: Overwhelmed by the vision, Ezekiel falls on his face in humility. He is powerless until God’s Spirit enters him, raises him to his feet, and enables him to hear his divine call. This reveals that a prophet’s authority comes not from his own strength, but from being directly called and empowered by God.

In essence, this passage portrays a God of absolute and transcendent authority whose power is nevertheless bound by covenant mercy. It establishes that the prophetic word Ezekiel is about to speak originates from this awe-inspiring divine presence.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 3: Ezekiel 1:4-21

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Ezekiel 1:4-21

Ezekiel describes his visions from God. He saw a windstorm from the north. He saw four living creatures in a fire. Each creature was human but had four faces and four wings. They had feet like a calf. They had human hands. Their wings touched each other and they traveled straight.

Each face has a face of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle. They each had a pair of wings. They went where their spirit went. They sped, and fire moved among them.

He saw wheels on the ground beside the creatures. They had eyes all around them, and they went where the creatures went. The spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 3: Ezekiel 1:4-21

6) The source and description of what he saw and heard (1:4): The windstorm was coming from the north (where Israel’s enemies come from). It was a cloud (God is often seen in a cloud) with lightning and brilliant light.

The four creatures (1:5-14): Each creature was human but had four faces and four wings. They had feet like a calf. They had human hands. Their wings touched each other, and they traveled straight. Each face has a face of a lion, an ox, and an eagle. They each had a pair of wings. They went where their spirit went. They sped, and fire moved among them.

The wheels (1:15-21): He saw wheels on the ground beside the creatures. They had eyes all around them, and they went where the creatures went. The spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

7) Ezekiel was probably scared by what he saw. Unsure about it. Full of doubt and questions. Wanting to know what it meant.

8a) God is good to speak to man and give us directions, whether personally today or via prophets. God is majestic and sovereign. He guides us and protects us. He is always present with us.

b) It’s comforting to know I am never alone and I can always go to God with anything. He has the answers, and all I have to do is pray and listen.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 3: Ezekiel 1:4-21

I love how even though God is mysterious, he is kind enough to give us His word when we need it.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 3: Ezekiel 1:4-21

Bible scholars describe Ezekiel’s vision as one of the most detailed and unusual descriptions of God in the Bible.

Fun Fact: Enemies came from the North towards Israel and are often associated with God’s judgment.

The exile was from God as punishment for His people turning from Him.

Fun Fact: Ezekiel’s calling is the longest and most detailed of any prophet recorded in the Bible.

The brightness is God’s glory. The cloud and fire show God’s presence amongst His people.

These creatures will be identified later as cherubim (Ezekiel 10:8-15).

Cherubim in the Bible

This could be where wings are associated with angels, as this is one of the few places in the Bible where angelic beings have wings.

John could have seen these same creatures in his vision of heaven (Revelation 4:6-8).

Bible scholars say these faces represent all of creation, with the mightiest of animals (lion), the strongest (ox), flight (eagle), and man (highest).

The creatures move straight like God’s plan.

The point of the wheels is to show constant motion by God, and he is always present. Many Bible scholars think of this as a chariot.

The eyes represent knowledge and intelligence. He is omniscient, seeing everything.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

God’s Mobility and Unconfined Presence

  • A Moving Throne: The vision is not of a stationary throne in a building, but of a chariot. This reveals that God is not confined to one location, city, or temple. He is mobile, and His presence has come to be with His people even in their exile by a canal in Babylon. This was both a comfort (God is with us) and a warning (you cannot escape His presence).

In sum, this vision introduces God not as a local deity, but as the majestic, all-powerful, all-seeing, and omnipresent King of the entire universe, who is in absolute control and is present with His people even in their darkest hour of exile.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 2: Ezekiel 1:1-3

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Ezekiel 1:1-3

Ezekiel has a vision from God.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 2: Ezekiel 1:1-3

3a) Ezekiel was an exile in Babylon (a lof of Judah had been exiled at this time). It was during the reign of King Jehoiachin. The Lord was with him. 2 Kings adds that Jehoiachin did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

b) I’m sure it was not pleasant being an exile in a foreign land. I’m sure he was doing his best to be faithful to the Lord while being surrounded and captured by pagans. He may have been depressed, anxious, losing faith in God, questioning God, etc.

4a) “The heavens were opened and I saw visions of God” and “the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest” and “There the hand of the Lord was on him.”

b) It shows that God has not abandoned Ezekiel. He is still with him, guiding him, as God does for us, no matter our circumstances. God offers compassion, His word, and His power to us.

5) God directs me and I follow the best I can. He gives me great peace in unsettling circumstances. He is and always has been faithful, even in my darkest days.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 2: Ezekiel 1:1-3

I love the emphasis on God’s presence in our lives always, no matter the circumstances and God’s hand on us as we journey through life. Great news!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 2: Ezekiel 1:1-3

Most likely, Ezekiel was 30 years of age at this time. He was a priest, and priests began their service in the temple at the age of 30. However, Ezekiel was now called to be a prophet.

The time is most likely 597 BC, before the complete fall of Jerusalem and the nation of Judah.

Ezekiel means “strengthened by God,” and he had the hand of the Lord on him.

Map of Kebar River

map of Kebar River
Courtesy of Pinterest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

The visions of the prophet Ezekiel are some of the most complex, symbolic, and vivid in the entire Bible. Given to him during the crisis of the Babylonian exile, their details reveal profound truths about the nature and character of God, intended to both challenge and comfort the displaced people of Judah.

Here are some of the key things the details of Ezekiel’s visions reveal about God:

God’s Overwhelming Majesty and Sovereignty

Ezekiel’s first and most famous vision (Ezekiel 1) is of God’s throne-chariot. The details are meant to overwhelm the senses and convey a being of unimaginable power:

  • The Four Living Creatures: Each creature has four faces (human, lion, ox, eagle), representing all of creation—humanity, wild animals, domesticated animals, and birds. This reveals that God is not just the God of Israel, but the sovereign ruler over all living things.
  • The Wheels Within Wheels: The intricate, intersecting wheels covered in eyes () reveal God’s omnipresence and omniscience. He can move in any direction with perfect agility, and His eyes see everything, everywhere.
  • The Dazzling Appearance: The vision is filled with imagery of brilliant light, flashing fire, and glowing metal, culminating in a throne of lapis lazuli. This reveals God’s glory and power as something awesome, terrifying, and utterly beyond human comparison or comprehension.

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