Ezekiel 37 Commentary (a running post)

 Paraphrasing  mostly from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (complete).

Which I'll share when I'm done.

OVERVIEW

(Taken from The Mendenhall Reference Bible)

Author:

Ezekiel is traditionally identified as the author of this volume.

He was taken into Babylonian captivity in 597 B.C.

As a member of the exilic community in the environs of Babylon, Ezekiel warned his people about the impending doom of Jerusalem to temper their hopes for an immediate return.

After 586 his message was centered on future hopes for Israel.

Theme and Content:

Ezekiel's impressive call as recorded in his opening chapter made him conscious of God in the midst of a heathen environment. Commissioned as a watchman Ezekiel discharged his responsibility by warning Jews in captivity that Jerusalem was doomed for destruction.Until 586 Ezekiel in numerous ways tried to convince the Jews that the sinfulness of Judah had reached the point of God's judgement, chapters 1-24.

When news reached Ezekiel in 586 that Jerusalem had fallen (to the Persians), Ezekiel was recommissioned to proclaim a message of hope and restoration. Beginning in chapter 34 with God as the great shepherd of Israel, he develops the national hopes for restoration. The nation of Israel is assured of revival, survival over assaulting enemies, and return to the land of Palestine with the glory of God returning to the temple in Jerusalem.

And yes Lucy, for whatever reasons:

"conscious of God in the midst of a heathen environment."

"tried to convince the Jews (replace with people) that the sinfulness of Judah (replace with "the world") had reached the point of God's judgement"

"assured of revival"

"assured of survival over assaulting enemies"

"return to the land of Palestine (IE, home)"

and

"the glory of God returning to the temple (that's in all of us as well as) in Jerusalem."

all have special significance :-).

No wonder I'm doing this.

All just a big cosmic accident right?

Everything.

Yea, sure, okay.

People buy that?

They got more faith than I do Lucy.