August 20, 2025
Where in the Old Testament do we read about "new hearts"?
Ezekiel 9-12
Lydia Broadus
Big Book Idea
While destruction would come and had come, eventually there will be restoration.
Key Verse | Ezekiel 11:19-20
"And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God."
Ezekiel 9-12
Chapter 9
Idolaters Killed
1 Then he cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying, “Bring near the executioners of the city, each with his destroying weapon in his hand.” 2 And behold, six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with his weapon for slaughter in his hand, and with them was a man clothed in linen, with a writing case at his waist. And they went in and stood beside the bronze altar.
3 Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub on which it rested to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writing case at his waist. 4 And the LORD said to him, “Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.” 5 And to the others he said in my hearing, “Pass through the city after him, and strike. Your eye shall not spare, and you shall show no pity. 6 Kill old men outright, young men and maidens, little children and women, but touch no one on whom is the mark. And begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the house. 7 Then he said to them, “Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out.” So they went out and struck in the city. 8 And while they were striking, and I was left alone, I fell upon my face, and cried, “Ah, Lord God! Will you destroy all the remnant of Israel in the outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem?”
9 Then he said to me, “The guilt of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great. The land is full of blood, and the city full of injustice. For they say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD does not see.’ 10 As for me, my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity; I will bring their deeds upon their heads.”
11 And behold, the man clothed in linen, with the writing case at his waist, brought back word, saying, “I have done as you commanded me.”
Chapter 10
The Glory of the LORD Leaves the Temple
1 Then I looked, and behold, on the expanse that was over the heads of the cherubim there appeared above them something like a sapphire, 1 10:1 Or lapis lazuli in appearance like a throne. 2 And he said to the man clothed in linen, “Go in among the whirling wheels underneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with burning coals from between the cherubim, and scatter them over the city.”
And he went in before my eyes. 3 Now the cherubim were standing on the south side of the house, when the man went in, and a cloud filled the inner court. 4 And the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub to the threshold of the house, and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD. 5 And the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when he speaks.
6 And when he commanded the man clothed in linen, “Take fire from between the whirling wheels, from between the cherubim,” he went in and stood beside a wheel. 7 And a cherub stretched out his hand from between the cherubim to the fire that was between the cherubim, and took some of it and put it into the hands of the man clothed in linen, who took it and went out. 8 The cherubim appeared to have the form of a human hand under their wings.
9 And I looked, and behold, there were four wheels beside the cherubim, one beside each cherub, and the appearance of the wheels was like sparkling beryl. 10 And as for their appearance, the four had the same likeness, as if a wheel were within a wheel. 11 When they went, they went in any of their four directions 2 10:11 Hebrew to their four sides without turning as they went, but in whatever direction the front wheel 3 10:11 Hebrew the head faced, the others followed without turning as they went. 12 And their whole body, their rims, and their spokes, their wings, 4 10:12 Or their whole body, their backs, their hands, and their wings and the wheels were full of eyes all around—the wheels that the four of them had. 13 As for the wheels, they were called in my hearing “the whirling wheels.” 14 And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of the cherub, and the second face was a human face, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
15 And the cherubim mounted up. These were the living creatures that I saw by the Chebar canal. 16 And when the cherubim went, the wheels went beside them. And when the cherubim lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the wheels did not turn from beside them. 17 When they stood still, these stood still, and when they mounted up, these mounted up with them, for the spirit of the living creatures 5 10:17 Or spirit of life was in them.
18 Then the glory of the LORD went out from the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim. 19 And the cherubim lifted up their wings and mounted up from the earth before my eyes as they went out, with the wheels beside them. And they stood at the entrance of the east gate of the house of the LORD, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them.
20 These were the living creatures that I saw underneath the God of Israel by the Chebar canal; and I knew that they were cherubim. 21 Each had four faces, and each four wings, and underneath their wings the likeness of human hands. 22 And as for the likeness of their faces, they were the same faces whose appearance I had seen by the Chebar canal. Each one of them went straight forward.
Chapter 11
Judgment on Wicked Counselors
1 The Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the east gate of the house of the LORD, which faces east. And behold, at the entrance of the gateway there were twenty-five men. And I saw among them Jaazaniah the son of Azzur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people. 2 And he said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who devise iniquity and who give wicked counsel in this city; 3 who say, ‘The time is not near 6 11:3 Or Is not the time near ? to build houses. This city is the cauldron, and we are the meat.’ 4 Therefore prophesy against them; prophesy, O son of man.”
5 And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and he said to me, “Say, Thus says the LORD: So you think, O house of Israel. For I know the things that come into your mind. 6 You have multiplied your slain in this city and have filled its streets with the slain. 7 Therefore thus says the Lord God: Your slain whom you have laid in the midst of it, they are the meat, and this city is the cauldron, but you shall be brought out of the midst of it. 8 You have feared the sword, and I will bring the sword upon you, declares the Lord God. 9 And I will bring you out of the midst of it, and give you into the hands of foreigners, and execute judgments upon you. 10 You shall fall by the sword. I will judge you at the border of Israel, and you shall know that I am the LORD. 11 This city shall not be your cauldron, nor shall you be the meat in the midst of it. I will judge you at the border of Israel, 12 and you shall know that I am the LORD. For you have not walked in my statutes, nor obeyed my rules, but have acted according to the rules of the nations that are around you.”
13 And it came to pass, while I was prophesying, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then I fell down on my face and cried out with a loud voice and said, “Ah, Lord God! Will you make a full end of the remnant of Israel?”
Israel's New Heart and Spirit
14 And the word of the LORD came to me: 15 “Son of man, your brothers, even your brothers, your kinsmen, 7 11:15 Hebrew the men of your redemption the whole house of Israel, all of them, are those of whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘Go far from the LORD; to us this land is given for a possession.’ 16 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while 8 11:16 Or in small measure in the countries where they have gone.’ 17 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’ 18 And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. 19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will 9 11:21 Hebrew To the heart of their detestable things and their abominations their heart goes; I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord God.”
22 Then the cherubim lifted up their wings, with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them. 23 And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain that is on the east side of the city. 24 And the Spirit lifted me up and brought me in the vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to the exiles. Then the vision that I had seen went up from me. 25 And I told the exiles all the things that the LORD had shown me.
Chapter 12
Judah's Captivity Symbolized
1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house. 3 As for you, son of man, prepare for yourself an exile's baggage, and go into exile by day in their sight. You shall go like an exile from your place to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand, though 10 12:3 Or will see that they are a rebellious house. 4 You shall bring out your baggage by day in their sight, as baggage for exile, and you shall go out yourself at evening in their sight, as those do who must go into exile. 5 In their sight dig through the wall, and bring your baggage out through it. 6 In their sight you shall lift the baggage upon your shoulder and carry it out at dusk. You shall cover your face that you may not see the land, for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel.”
7 And I did as I was commanded. I brought out my baggage by day, as baggage for exile, and in the evening I dug through the wall with my own hands. I brought out my baggage at dusk, carrying it on my shoulder in their sight.
8 In the morning the word of the LORD came to me: 9 “Son of man, has not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, ‘What are you doing?’ 10 Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: This oracle concerns 11 12:10 Or This burden is the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are in it.’ 12 12:10 Hebrew in the midst of them 11 Say, ‘I am a sign for you: as I have done, so shall it be done to them. They shall go into exile, into captivity.’ 12 And the prince who is among them shall lift his baggage upon his shoulder at dusk, and shall go out. They shall dig through the wall to bring him out through it. He shall cover his face, that he may not see the land with his eyes. 13 And I will spread my net over him, and he shall be taken in my snare. And I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, yet he shall not see it, and he shall die there. 14 And I will scatter toward every wind all who are around him, his helpers and all his troops, and I will unsheathe the sword after them. 15 And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them among the countries. 16 But I will let a few of them escape from the sword, from famine and pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am the LORD.”
17 And the word of the LORD came to me: 18 “Son of man, eat your bread with quaking, and drink water with trembling and with anxiety. 19 And say to the people of the land, Thus says the Lord God concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel: They shall eat their bread with anxiety, and drink water in dismay. In this way her land will be stripped of all it contains, on account of the violence of all those who dwell in it. 20 And the inhabited cities shall be laid waste, and the land shall become a desolation; and you shall know that I am the LORD.”
21 And the word of the LORD came to me: 22 “Son of man, what is this proverb that you 13 12:22 The Hebrew for you is plural have about the land of Israel, saying, ‘The days grow long, and every vision comes to nothing’? 23 Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.’ But say to them, The days are near, and the fulfillment 14 12:23 Hebrew word of every vision. 24 For there shall be no more any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel. 25 For I am the LORD; I will speak the word that I will speak, and it will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it, declares the Lord God.”
26 And the word of the LORD came to me: 27 “Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, ‘The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ 28 Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord God.”
Footnotes
[1] 10:1 Or lapis lazuli[2] 10:11 Hebrew to their four sides
[3] 10:11 Hebrew the head
[4] 10:12 Or their whole body, their backs, their hands, and their wings
[5] 10:17 Or spirit of life
[6] 11:3 Or Is not the time near . . . ?
[7] 11:15 Hebrew the men of your redemption
[8] 11:16 Or in small measure
[9] 11:21 Hebrew To the heart of their detestable things and their abominations their heart goes; I will
[10] 12:3 Or will see that
[11] 12:10 Or This burden is
[12] 12:10 Hebrew in the midst of them
[13] 12:22 The Hebrew for you is plural
[14] 12:23 Hebrew word
Table of Contents
Introduction to Ezekiel
Timeline
Author and Date
The first dated message in Ezekiel is from the summer of 593 B.C., four years after Nebuchadnezzar deported the first group of exiles to Babylon. The latest dated oracle is 22 years later, in April 571 B.C. If Ezekiel was 30 years old when his ministry began (1:1), the final vision of the book came when he was about 50.
Theme and Purpose
Ezekiel spoke to a people forced from their home because they had broken faith with their God. As the spokesman for the Lord, Ezekiel spoke oracles that defended his reputation as a holy God (see especially 36:22–23). The primary purpose of Ezekiel’s message was to restore God’s glory before Israel, who had rejected him in front of the watching nations.
Background
Ezekiel prophesied during a time of great confusion following Israel’s exile to Babylon in 597 B.C. A former Judean king was among the exiles (the 18-year-old Jehoiachin), and the Babylonians had appointed a puppet king to the throne in Jerusalem (Jehoiachin’s uncle, Zedekiah).
In times of crisis, God sent prophets to bring his message to his people. Judah’s exile was therefore a period of intense prophetic activity. (Jeremiah also served during this time.)
Ezekiel’s fellow exiles were his main audience, but his oracles also communicated to people who remained in Judah.
Key Themes
- As a priest, Ezekiel was deeply concerned with restoring God’s people to holiness. His understanding of the depth of Israel’s sin is clear in his version of Israel’s history (ch. 20). Even the oracles about a restored Israel (chs. 40–48) include a way to deal with the people’s sin so they can survive in the presence of a holy God. Ezekiel’s concern with sin also accounts for the many places where the book echoes the laws given in the Pentateuch, as well as the similarities between Ezekiel’s new temple (chs. 40–42) and the Exodus tabernacle.
- Israel was subject to its national God. However, this God is no tribal deity. He is supreme over all nations. Therefore Nebuchadnezzar, king of mighty Babylon, was simply a tool in God’s hand to accomplish God’s purpose (e.g., 21:19–23; 30:25). God’s absolute supremacy is most clearly demonstrated in the battle against Gog, the final enemy (chs. 38–39), where God alone crushes Gog’s vast hostile forces.
- Ezekiel declares judgment on those clinging to false hope, but offers true hope to those who accept God’s judgment (37:11). He linked God’s judgment with the hope of a new heart and spirit (36:22–32).
- The condemnation of Israel’s “princes” (e.g., ch. 19) finds its hopeful counterpart in the promise of a future “prince” who would rule with justice (34:23–24) and connect the people to God (46:1–18).
Outline
- Inaugural Vision (1:1–3:27)
- Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah (4:1–24:27)
- Oracles against Foreign Nations (25:1–32:32)
- After the Fall of Jerusalem (33:1–39:29)
- Vision of Restoration (40:1–48:35)
The Near East at the Time of Ezekiel
c. 593 B.C.
Ezekiel recorded his visions and prophecies while living near Babylon, where he had been exiled years earlier. By Ezekiel’s time, the Babylonian Empire had conquered almost all of the area along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It would eventually conquer even the land of Egypt, where many other Judeans had fled.
Fact: Writing case
A writing case (9:2) was standard equipment for scribes. The case provided a surface for writing upon and a place for storing pens and ink. It also contained a knife for keeping the pens sharp.
Fact: Hearts of flesh to replace hearts of stone
Hearts of flesh to replace hearts of stone. The Lord says that his rebellious people have a “heart of stone” (11:19), but he promises to someday give them a “heart of flesh,” enabling them to love and obey him.
Fact: A new covenant
A new covenant. God wrote the first covenant, the law, on stone tablets (Ex. 24:12). The new covenant is “written” on hearts (2 Cor. 3:2–3; see Jer. 31:31–34; Ezek. 11:19). In other words, the Spirit changes believers’ hearts to enable them to obey God.
Fact: Zedekiah
Though Zedekiah was king of Judah at the time, Ezekiel refused to call him king. Instead, he calls him “the prince in Jerusalem” (12:10). This is because Zedekiah was a “puppet king” placed on the throne by the Babylonians.
Fact: The Lord returns to his temple
The Lord returns to his temple. Because of the people’s rebellion, the glory of the Lord departed from the temple in Ezekiel’s vision (10:18–22). But later Ezekiel has a vision in which God returns to the temple (43:1–5), beginning a new era in his relationship with his people. In the NT, the apostle Paul teaches that those who believe in Christ are the “temple” in which God is pleased to dwell (1 Cor. 3:16).
Ezekiel’s Temple Vision
Ezekiel’s final vision of an ideal temple (and city, and land; chs. 40–48) forms a counterpart to the vision of chs. 8–11. In each case he is taken on a tour of the structure, but whereas in the earlier vision he discovers abominations and perverted worship, in this final vision all is in readiness for the perpetual dwelling of the glory of the God of Israel. In chs. 8–10 most of the movement centers on the gate structures to the north and finally focuses on the main sacrificial altar, from which central point the slaughtering angels begin their work (9:6b). In this final vision Ezekiel’s tour begins and ends at the East Gate, but passes by the same areas as those he saw in the earlier vision. With the “tour” completed, he is again outside the main East Gate as he senses the approach of the glory of God returning the same way as Ezekiel had seen him go.
Temple Plan
The labels below are arranged from the innermost, and most sacred, area and moving outward. It must be borne in mind that “temple” can have two quite distinct references: it can refer generally to the entire “temple” complex, including the outer gates and court; in its more “strict” reference the “temple” is the innermost structure itself, which has a single (eastern) entrance and contains the Most Holy Place.
| Reference | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| A | 41:4 | The “Most Holy Place.” |
| B | 41:3 | The inner room of the temple. |
| C | 41:2 | The entrance to the temple. |
| D | 43:13–17 | The imposing altar; although the number of stairs is not given, the entire altar structure is about 16 feet (4.9 m) tall, so many steps would have been required. This area of the inner court was accessible only by priests—not even the prince was permitted entry. |
| E | 40:46 | Chamber for Zadokite priests. |
| F | 40:45 | Chamber for “priests who have charge of the temple.” |
| G | 40:17–19 | The outer court, with its 30 chambers in the outer wall (40:17). |
| H | 46:21–24 | The temple “kitchens,” one in each corner of the outer court. |
| I | 40:17 | The 30 outer chambers. |
| J | 46:2 | The “prince’s gate”: from its threshold he worships on each Sabbath while the priests bring the offerings into the inner court. |
| K | 43:1 | The main east gate, through which “the glory of the God of Israel” returns to his temple (see 10:19; 11:22–23). |
Temple Tour
| Reference | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40:6 | The eastern (main) gate begins the tour; the E–W axis of the temple should be noted; if a line is drawn from the east gate to the Most Holy Place, there is a sequence of three elevations, as the space in the inner temple becomes increasingly constricted. |
| 2 | 40:17 | From this vantage point in the outer court, Ezekiel is shown the main features of this “plaza” area. |
| 3 | 40:20 | The northern-facing gate. |
| 4 | 40:24 | En route to the southern-facing gate, no details are given of the outer facade of the inner court; the architectural details of this area must remain speculative. |
| 5 | 40:28 | Ezekiel’s entry to the inner court is by way of its south gate . . . |
| 6 | 40:32 | . . . then to the east gate (past the imposing altar, not yet described) . . . |
| 7 | 40:35 | . . . and on to the north gate, which includes areas for handling sacrificial animals. |
| 8 | 40:48; 41:1 | Ezekiel approaches the inner temple structure itself, first describing its entrance; he is then stationed outside the entrance while his guide first measures its interior, then the exterior. |
| 9 | 42:1 | They exit the inner court through its north gate to explore the northwestern quadrant of the outer court. |
| 10 | 42:15 | Ezekiel and his guide leave the temple from the east gate by which they first entered. From this vantage point, Ezekiel was able to watch the return of “the glory of the God of Israel” moments later (43:1–5). |
Letters in the diagram represent locations within the temple complex; numbers indicate the stages in Ezekiel’s temple tour.
Ezekiel
Ezekiel ministered during the same troubled times as the prophet Jeremiah. He was among the thousands of Judeans exiled to Babylon, where he probably spent the remainder of his life. About five years into the exile, at the age of 30, Ezekiel was called as a prophet. God commanded him to speak the word of God fearlessly to the people, regardless of whether or not they listened. He was appointed as a “watchman” for Israel (3:17; 33:1–9), whose task it was to warn the people that God would punish them unless they repented. Courageous sermons, dramatic visions, and symbolic actions characterized Ezekiel’s ministry. God asked Ezekiel to enact difficult messages, often at a great personal cost. When his wife died, Ezekiel was commanded not to mourn for her, as a sign to Israel (24:15–27). Like Jeremiah, Ezekiel remained a faithful, humble servant despite his difficult life as a prophet. (Ezekiel 33:1–9)
Fact: Writing case
A writing case (9:2) was standard equipment for scribes. The case provided a surface for writing upon and a place for storing pens and ink. It also contained a knife for keeping the pens sharp.
Ezek. 9:6 they began with the elders. Just as the leaders had led the people astray, so now judgment begins with them. house. The temple.
Ezek. 9:3–7 The seventh angel, in the role of scribe, puts a mark on the foreheads (v. 4) of those who are faithful to the Lord. Preserving a remnant has been a feature of chs. 4–7. Here, the mark is the Hebrew letter taw. In the script of Ezekiel’s day it would be an X. Ancient Christian interpretation saw this symbol as an anticipation of the cross.
Ezek. 9:9–10 God pointedly responds to the elders’ claim that he does not know what they are doing (the LORD does not see; compare 8:12 and 9:9).
Ezek. 9:1–11 A team of seven angels carries out the execution of the unfaithful in Jerusalem at God’s command. Only one of them is assigned the job of protecting the faithful. The prophet’s anguished intervention does not change the Lord’s mind about the judgment.
Ezek. 10:2 The man clothed in linen, a “preserving angel” in ch. 9, now becomes an agent of destruction.
Ezek. 10:4 glory. See note on 1:28.
Ezek. 10:1–22 Two actions are interwoven here: the second (visionary) phase of city destruction (vv. 1–8), and the further withdrawal of the glory of God from the temple (vv. 9–22).
Ezek. 10:9–22 While this section is mostly description, the action in vv. 18–19 is crucial. At the threshold (v. 18) of the east gate of the temple (v. 19), the glory of the God of Israel is ready to depart from the midst of his sinful people. The departure will be slow and in stages, perhaps symbolizing how the Lord gives the people every opportunity to repent.
Fact: The Lord returns to his temple
The Lord returns to his temple. Because of the people’s rebellion, the glory of the Lord departed from the temple in Ezekiel’s vision (10:18–22). But later Ezekiel has a vision in which God returns to the temple (43:1–5), beginning a new era in his relationship with his people. In the NT, the apostle Paul teaches that those who believe in Christ are the “temple” in which God is pleased to dwell (1 Cor. 3:16).
Ezek. 11:1 The named individuals are otherwise unknown; on Pelatiah, see v. 13. Princes of the people does not refer to royalty; the identical phrase is translated “leaders of the people” in Neh. 11:1.
Ezek. 11:2–3 cauldron . . . meat. The imagery is best understood to indicate fear that led to mistrusting God. The idea is further developed in ch. 24.
Ezek. 11:7–12 The focus here is on the distinction between the court officials and the people who have been killed.
Ezek. 11:1–13 Ezekiel sees 25 men—a different group from 8:16, and at a different location. Unlike the previous group, the problem here is not with worship but with politics, although the precise issue at stake is unclear. The overall impression is that the thing they fear will come upon them (11:8) and that they have brought divine judgment on themselves.
Ezek. 11:13 The significance of Ezekiel’s shock at the death of Pelatiah the son of Benaiah may lie in the meaning of his name: “the Lord delivers,” son of “the Lord builds,” has died!
Fact: Hearts of flesh to replace hearts of stone
Hearts of flesh to replace hearts of stone. The Lord says that his rebellious people have a “heart of stone” (11:19), but he promises to someday give them a “heart of flesh,” enabling them to love and obey him.
Fact: Hearts of flesh to replace hearts of stone
Hearts of flesh to replace hearts of stone. The Lord says that his rebellious people have a “heart of stone” (11:19), but he promises to someday give them a “heart of flesh,” enabling them to love and obey him.
Fact: A new covenant
A new covenant. God wrote the first covenant, the law, on stone tablets (Ex. 24:12). The new covenant is “written” on hearts (2 Cor. 3:2–3; see Jer. 31:31–34; Ezek. 11:19). In other words, the Spirit changes believers’ hearts to enable them to obey God.
Ezek. 11:14–21 Ezekiel’s outcry in v. 13 apparently prompts one of the most important statements of hope in the book, one closely connected to the “new heart” passage in 36:22–32. In 11:15 the voice of those left in Judah taunts the exiles. God’s response in v. 16 shows that God’s own action brought about the exile (I removed . . . I scattered); it also redefines the relationship between God and the remnant remaining in Judah: the real sanctuary is not the temple but God himself. That new relationship is marked by a new spirit and a heart of flesh (v. 19) provided by God himself. This enables faithful living, which was impossible with a heart of stone. Ezekiel stresses both God’s provision (here and in 36:26–27) and the importance of a correct human response (“make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit,” 18:31).
Ezek. 8:1–11:25 Ezekiel’s “temple vision,” the second of his four dramatic visions, has strong connections with the opening vision (chs. 1–3) and the concluding vision (chs. 40–48), which is a mirror image to this one. In his vision, Ezekiel is taken on a tour and is shown a series of pictures of idolatrous worship in the temple (ch. 8), the citywide slaughter of idolaters (ch. 9), the destruction of Jerusalem by fire, and the gradual withdrawal of the presence of the Lord from the temple (ch. 10). The vision culminates in the contrast of judgment on wicked officials (11:1–13) with an oracle of hope (11:14–21) before God’s glory departs completely (11:22–25). As a whole, the vision emphasizes God’s righteous rejection of this generation of Judeans.
Ezek. 11:22–25 The vision concludes on a tragic note. God leaves his city, which means divine absence and thus death for the people. The mountain . . . on the east is the Mount of Olives. God’s absence from Jerusalem will continue until 43:1–5.
Ezekiel’s Temple Vision
Ezekiel’s final vision of an ideal temple (and city, and land; chs. 40–48) forms a counterpart to the vision of chs. 8–11. In each case he is taken on a tour of the structure, but whereas in the earlier vision he discovers abominations and perverted worship, in this final vision all is in readiness for the perpetual dwelling of the glory of the God of Israel. In chs. 8–10 most of the movement centers on the gate structures to the north and finally focuses on the main sacrificial altar, from which central point the slaughtering angels begin their work (9:6b). In this final vision Ezekiel’s tour begins and ends at the East Gate, but passes by the same areas as those he saw in the earlier vision. With the “tour” completed, he is again outside the main East Gate as he senses the approach of the glory of God returning the same way as Ezekiel had seen him go.
Temple Plan
The labels below are arranged from the innermost, and most sacred, area and moving outward. It must be borne in mind that “temple” can have two quite distinct references: it can refer generally to the entire “temple” complex, including the outer gates and court; in its more “strict” reference the “temple” is the innermost structure itself, which has a single (eastern) entrance and contains the Most Holy Place.
| Reference | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| A | 41:4 | The “Most Holy Place.” |
| B | 41:3 | The inner room of the temple. |
| C | 41:2 | The entrance to the temple. |
| D | 43:13–17 | The imposing altar; although the number of stairs is not given, the entire altar structure is about 16 feet (4.9 m) tall, so many steps would have been required. This area of the inner court was accessible only by priests—not even the prince was permitted entry. |
| E | 40:46 | Chamber for Zadokite priests. |
| F | 40:45 | Chamber for “priests who have charge of the temple.” |
| G | 40:17–19 | The outer court, with its 30 chambers in the outer wall (40:17). |
| H | 46:21–24 | The temple “kitchens,” one in each corner of the outer court. |
| I | 40:17 | The 30 outer chambers. |
| J | 46:2 | The “prince’s gate”: from its threshold he worships on each Sabbath while the priests bring the offerings into the inner court. |
| K | 43:1 | The main east gate, through which “the glory of the God of Israel” returns to his temple (see 10:19; 11:22–23). |
Temple Tour
| Reference | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40:6 | The eastern (main) gate begins the tour; the E–W axis of the temple should be noted; if a line is drawn from the east gate to the Most Holy Place, there is a sequence of three elevations, as the space in the inner temple becomes increasingly constricted. |
| 2 | 40:17 | From this vantage point in the outer court, Ezekiel is shown the main features of this “plaza” area. |
| 3 | 40:20 | The northern-facing gate. |
| 4 | 40:24 | En route to the southern-facing gate, no details are given of the outer facade of the inner court; the architectural details of this area must remain speculative. |
| 5 | 40:28 | Ezekiel’s entry to the inner court is by way of its south gate . . . |
| 6 | 40:32 | . . . then to the east gate (past the imposing altar, not yet described) . . . |
| 7 | 40:35 | . . . and on to the north gate, which includes areas for handling sacrificial animals. |
| 8 | 40:48; 41:1 | Ezekiel approaches the inner temple structure itself, first describing its entrance; he is then stationed outside the entrance while his guide first measures its interior, then the exterior. |
| 9 | 42:1 | They exit the inner court through its north gate to explore the northwestern quadrant of the outer court. |
| 10 | 42:15 | Ezekiel and his guide leave the temple from the east gate by which they first entered. From this vantage point, Ezekiel was able to watch the return of “the glory of the God of Israel” moments later (43:1–5). |
Letters in the diagram represent locations within the temple complex; numbers indicate the stages in Ezekiel’s temple tour.
Ezek. 12:2 On Ezekiel’s use of the phrase rebellious house (also vv. 9, 25), see note on 2:2–4.
Ezek. 12:3 In their sight is repeated seven times in vv. 3–7, further underlining the prophecy’s main point. The hope that they will understand (literally, that they will “see”) also develops this theme.
Fact: Zedekiah
Though Zedekiah was king of Judah at the time, Ezekiel refused to call him king. Instead, he calls him “the prince in Jerusalem” (12:10). This is because Zedekiah was a “puppet king” placed on the throne by the Babylonians.
Ezek. 12:13 he shall not see it. The fate of Zedekiah is clearly in view here. Compare 2 Kings 25:7; Jer. 52:11.
Ezek. 12:8–15 The explanation of the symbolic actions has both a broad and a narrow application. Verse 10 targets the prince in Jerusalem—a reference to Zedekiah, whom Ezekiel refuses to refer to as “king.” The rest of v. 10 and the plural references of v. 11 broaden the scope to the remaining Judeans. Verses 12–15 detail the fate of Zedekiah as recorded in 2 Kings 25. Still, this remains a sign for you (plural, Ezek. 12:11), that is, for Ezekiel’s fellow exiles.
Ezek. 12:1–28 The predictions of exile in this chapter come during a time when the exile has already begun. Thus, the chapter probably relates to the uncertain decade between 597 B.C. (the deportation during the reign of Jehoiachin, during which Ezekiel was exiled) and 587 (the final fall of Jerusalem, during the reign of Zedekiah).
Ezek. 12:21–28 Apparently the delay in the prophecy’s fulfillment allowed time for counter-prophecies to be given. These false statements are answered here.
Ezekiel
Ezekiel ministered during the same troubled times as the prophet Jeremiah. He was among the thousands of Judeans exiled to Babylon, where he probably spent the remainder of his life. About five years into the exile, at the age of 30, Ezekiel was called as a prophet. God commanded him to speak the word of God fearlessly to the people, regardless of whether or not they listened. He was appointed as a “watchman” for Israel (3:17; 33:1–9), whose task it was to warn the people that God would punish them unless they repented. Courageous sermons, dramatic visions, and symbolic actions characterized Ezekiel’s ministry. God asked Ezekiel to enact difficult messages, often at a great personal cost. When his wife died, Ezekiel was commanded not to mourn for her, as a sign to Israel (24:15–27). Like Jeremiah, Ezekiel remained a faithful, humble servant despite his difficult life as a prophet. (Ezekiel 33:1–9)
S4:199 Ezekiel 9-12
Listen NowDive Deeper | Ezekiel 9-12
Ezekiel prophesied an intense future for the Israelites. The prophet warned both the exiled Jews, and those living freely in Jerusalem, of God's coming judgment. God looked at his people and their lives and saw sin separating them from him. He saw his people living in unrepentant sin, prioritizing comfort, and not reflecting their perfect, sovereign God to watching nations. Before judgment, God marked the faithful so they would not be harmed or overtaken by destruction. This protection also occurred in Egypt when the Israelites put the blood of a lamb on their doorposts so that death would pass over them (Exodus 12:7-13). God protects those whose hearts are turned toward him and who are attentive to his presence.
Ezekiel continued to prophesy the Israelites' destruction like the many prophets before him. The problem was that the people were unable to recognize and feel the urgency of their sins. They believed this judgment was far off and not specifically for them. God saw that their hearts had become hardened, and he slowly began leaving the presence of his people (leaving the temple). Without the presence of the Lord among them, they were in the path of judgment and destruction. But God gave Ezekiel a message of hope for the rebellious people. Although the Israelites were scattered among the nations and exiled from their homeland, God gathered his people back to himself and gave them a new heart and a new spirit to walk in step with him (Ezekiel 11:19-20). He showed the nations that he is God.
Because of the new heart we gain from his Spirit, we can discern what is of God and what is not. We have the discipline and strength of God's Spirit within us to fight sin and win. Although we have sinned against God many times, he makes his glory known through our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9). He has given believers the Holy Spirit to guide and convict us. He is our current sanctuary where we can abide, despite the state of the world, our circumstances, or our sins against him.
This month's memory verse
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
– Lamentations 3:21-23
Discussion Questions
1. Is there anything God has been trying to tell you that you have ignored and assumed you could acknowledge at a later time?
2. Where have you seen God's grace and provision in your life when you were far from him?
3. Is there an area of your life where you need God's restoration?
4. In what ways can believers use their "new heart" to make God known to this world?