Topical Bible: Holy Spirit: Inspiration of Ezekiel

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The inspiration of the prophet Ezekiel by the Holy Spirit is a profound theme that underscores the divine authority and authenticity of his prophetic ministry. Ezekiel, a priest and prophet during the Babylonian exile, is a pivotal figure whose visions and messages were instrumental in guiding and admonishing the Israelites during a time of great turmoil and uncertainty.

The Call and Commissioning of Ezekiel

Ezekiel's prophetic journey begins with a remarkable vision of God's glory, as recorded in Ezekiel 1. The vision includes a vivid depiction of four living creatures and a divine chariot, symbolizing God's omnipresence and sovereignty. In this awe-inspiring encounter, the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in empowering and commissioning Ezekiel for his prophetic mission. Ezekiel 2:2 states, "As He spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me." This verse highlights the Holy Spirit's active involvement in enabling Ezekiel to stand and receive God's message.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Prophetic Revelation

Throughout the book of Ezekiel, the Holy Spirit is depicted as the divine agent of revelation, guiding the prophet in his ministry. Ezekiel 3:12-14 describes another instance where the Spirit lifts Ezekiel and transports him, emphasizing the Spirit's role in directing the prophet's actions and experiences. The passage reads, "Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me: 'Blessed be the glory of the LORD in His dwelling place!' The sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against one another and the sound of the wheels beside them was a great rumbling sound. So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me."

Visions and Symbolic Acts

Ezekiel's ministry is marked by a series of visions and symbolic acts, many of which are initiated or explained by the Holy Spirit. In Ezekiel 8:3 , the Spirit transports Ezekiel to Jerusalem in a vision, allowing him to witness the idolatry and abominations taking place in the temple. "He stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. Then the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and carried me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the inner gate that faces north, where the idol of jealousy stood."

The Valley of Dry Bones

One of the most iconic visions given to Ezekiel is the vision of the valley of dry bones, found in Ezekiel 37. This vision serves as a powerful metaphor for the restoration of Israel. The Holy Spirit is central to this vision, as it is through the Spirit's breath that the dry bones are brought to life. Ezekiel 37:14 declares, "I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD."

The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit

Ezekiel's prophecies also include promises of spiritual renewal and transformation for the people of Israel. In Ezekiel 36:26-27 , God promises to give His people a new heart and spirit: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances." This promise foreshadows the New Covenant and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all believers.

Conclusion

The inspiration of Ezekiel by the Holy Spirit is a testament to the Spirit's vital role in conveying God's messages and purposes to His people. Through visions, symbolic acts, and divine revelations, the Holy Spirit empowered Ezekiel to fulfill his prophetic calling, offering hope and guidance to the exiled Israelites and pointing to the future restoration and renewal of God's covenant people.

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Ezekiel 8:3
And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of my head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looks toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy.
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Ezekiel 11:1,5,24
Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me to the east gate of the LORD's house, which looks eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.
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Library

Apostolic Inspiration.
... a difference between the operation of the Holy Spirit in the ... Ezekiel's oracles are
different from St. ... Romans bears witness to a different inspiration from that ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxi apostolic inspiration.htm

Names and External Form of the Old Testament
... to lie in the degree of inspiration, Moses enjoying ... classed among the prophets having
the Spirit of prophecy ... to the Hagiographa simply the Holy Spirit (the Holy ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xiii names and external.htm

The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
... the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good." Ezekiel teaches a ... See
under the Inspiration of the ... 4. THE RELATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO JESUS CHRIST ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the holy.htm

On the Sufficiency and Perfection of the Holy Scriptures In
... one is that which is made to the mind by the illumination and inspiration of the
Holy Spirit. ... 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Genesis 3:9-19; xii, 1-3; Ezekiel 2:5 ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 3 on the sufficiency.htm

Inspiration of Scripture. --Gospel Difficulties. --The Word of God ...
... Inspiration is not a difference of degree, but of kind. ... their own: but uttered syllable
by syllable as the Spirit put it ... The prophets and holy men of God not so ...
/.../inspiration and interpretation/sermon iii inspiration of scripture gospel.htm

The Benefits of Christ Made Available to us by the Secret ...
... energy in cleansing and purifying, as in Ezekiel, where the ... his power, because by
his divine inspiration he so ... Ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 the benefits of.htm

Of the Power of the Church in Articles of Faith. The Unbridled ...
... general is elegantly described by Ezekiel: "Son of ... matters, the doctrine of the Holy
Spirit stands recorded. ... that the result of the Spirit's inspiration is, in ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 of the power.htm

Use of the Old Testament by the First Christian Writers, and by ...
... of a noun.(93) And as the inspiration of the ... is written;"(119) and Baruch with,
"the Holy Spirit teaches by ... the twelve in one book, Daniel, Ezekiel, Ezra.(126 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter v use of the.htm

Language of the New Testament. 1 in the Character of the Original ...
... Old Testament, in which, under the illumination of the Holy Spirit, the direct ... elegance
of its style; as if, forsooth, the Spirit of inspiration could only ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiv language of the.htm

Remaining Books of the Old Testament.
... having a different arrangement"are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and ... written
"in spirit," that is, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; but he ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xi remaining books of.htm