Ezekiel 11:24

And the Spirit lifted me up and carried me back to Chaldea, to the exiles in the vision given by the Spirit of God. After the vision had gone up from me,

Study Bible

And the Spirit lifted me up
This phrase indicates a divine action, where the Spirit of God actively engages with the prophet Ezekiel. The lifting up by the Spirit suggests a supernatural experience, similar to other instances in Ezekiel (e.g., Ezekiel 3:12, 14; 8:3) where the Spirit transports him. This emphasizes the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in guiding and revealing God's will to His prophets.

and carried me back to Chaldea
Chaldea refers to the region of southern Babylonia, where the Jewish exiles were taken after the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. This transportation back to Chaldea signifies a return to the place of exile, highlighting the connection between Ezekiel's prophetic experiences and the reality of the exiles' situation. It underscores the importance of the message being directly relevant to the exiles' current circumstances.

to the exiles
The exiles are the Jewish people who were taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar and brought to Babylon. This context is crucial as Ezekiel's prophecies are directed towards these displaced people, offering them hope, warning, and guidance. The mention of the exiles emphasizes God's continued concern and communication with His people, even in their captivity.

in the vision given by the Spirit of God
This phrase confirms that the experience was a vision, a common method through which God communicated with His prophets. The vision is attributed to the Spirit of God, affirming its divine origin and authority. Visions were a significant means of revelation in the Old Testament, providing insight into God's plans and purposes (e.g., Daniel's visions in Daniel 7-12).

After the vision had gone up from me
The conclusion of the vision indicates a return to normal consciousness for Ezekiel. This transition marks the end of the divine revelation and the beginning of the prophet's responsibility to communicate the message to the people. It reflects the pattern of prophetic experiences where the prophet receives a vision, understands its significance, and then shares it with the intended audience.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezekiel
A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the central figure in this passage, receiving visions from God.

2. The Spirit of God
The Holy Spirit, who empowers and guides Ezekiel, lifting him up and transporting him in visions.

3. The Exiles
The Israelites who were taken captive and are living in Babylonia, representing the people to whom Ezekiel is sent.

4. Babylonia
The land where the Israelites are exiled, a place of both physical and spiritual captivity.

5. The Vision
A divine revelation given to Ezekiel, which is a means of communication from God to His people.

Teaching Points

The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is active in guiding, empowering, and revealing God's will to His people. We should seek to be sensitive to the Spirit's leading in our lives.

God's Presence in Exile
Even in times of exile or hardship, God is present and actively communicating with His people. We can trust that God is with us in our own "exiles" or difficult seasons.

The Importance of Vision
Spiritual vision is crucial for understanding God's plans and purposes. We should pray for clarity and insight into God's will for our lives.

Obedience to God's Call
Ezekiel's willingness to be led by the Spirit is a model for us. We should be open and obedient to God's call, even when it leads us into challenging situations.

Hope for Restoration
The vision given to Ezekiel is part of a larger account of hope and restoration for Israel. We can hold onto hope that God will restore and redeem our circumstances.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the role of the Holy Spirit in Ezekiel's vision compare to the Spirit's role in the New Testament?

2. In what ways can we be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in our daily lives?

3. How does understanding God's presence in exile encourage us in our own times of difficulty?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to seek and understand God's vision for our lives?

5. How can the theme of hope and restoration in Ezekiel's visions inspire us to trust in God's promises today?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Acts 8:39
Similar to Ezekiel's experience, Philip is carried away by the Spirit after baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch, illustrating the Spirit's power to transport and guide.

Revelation 1:10
John, like Ezekiel, is in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, receiving visions that reveal God's plans and purposes.

2 Kings 2:16
The sons of the prophets suggest that the Spirit of the Lord might have carried Elijah away, showing a consistent theme of the Spirit's ability to transport individuals.