He wants them to live in a new relationship with Him.61. The image has thus changed from a valley of dead bones to a graveyard of buried corpses. 9 Cf Odell, Ezekiel, 14 for a short overview of the history of the city.
The entrance of the creates life. 8 Block, Ezekiel 1-24, 82. This indicates that Ezekiel was filled with the spirit - . is thus clearly identified as the spirit of God; and it is the spirit of God that will bring new life to God's people. 
The wheels moved with the creatures. Ironically, God says that although he is being sent to his own people who will understand his words, they will not listen to him. 10 Odell, Ezekiel, 14-15. Again, the entered into him and set him on his feet (3:24). [Links], Duguid, Iain M. Ezekiel. They experience abandonment; YHWH has forsaken them; they are like the dry bones, without life. 23 Cf Block, Ezekiel 1-24, 111. He will deliver them and they will dwell again in the Promised Land where they will experience prosperity (36:24-30). (Word Biblical Commentary 29. 14 Allen, Ezekiel 1-19, 31; cf also Block, Ezekiel 1-24, 96. It was only after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost that the came to dwell permanently within believers.29 This assumption has been challenged more recently by other Pentecostal scholars.30 It seems to me that Ezekiel's experience here of the entering into him (cf. here clearly indicates the animating power of God, without which life is impossible. Then YHWH tells what He will do for Israel in order to sanctify his name. New International Commentary on the Old Testament: Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997. At this stage, they were just a lot of corpses, because there was no in them. At the most, we might say that the texts present hints of the eventual understanding of as an independent personality. [Links], Hildebrandt, Wilf. [Links], Pamela E. Kinlaw "From death to life: The expanding in Ezekiel." Only thereafter will they enter the land of life, the new life that God brings about through the Spirit. Ezekiel 21-37. The chapter itself consists of two literary units - verses 1-14, and verses 15-28. thus functions as the means by which the prophet is transported to the valley. Allen19 points out that may refer to "the manifestation of God in his omnipresence (Ps 139:7), roaming to all points of the compass". The middle section (25-32) containing the oracles against the nations contain only one nontheological reference in 27:26.
Allen, Leslie C. Ezekiel 20-48. In 3:22 the hand of the LORD is again upon him. In this article, I have focused on the role and function of in the Book of Ezekiel. These texts serve as counter-argument to the typical Pentecostal viewpoint that the presence of the spirit of God in people's lives in the Old Testament was sporadic and temporary. 6 Chapter 11: A heart and spirit transplant. It signifies the end of a period of disorder (dirt) and the beginning of a new phase of existence".50 The external ritual will only be effective if inner transformation takes place.
In verses 4-6 God tells him to prophesy to the bones.59 He should address them with God's word as if they were a live audience. Anchor Bible 22A. Ezekiel peers into a world that is teeming with the spirit of life from a perspective that is permeated by disappointment and grief, from static locales in which he is surrounded by the remnants of death. also 3:14; 8:3; 11:1, 24; 37:1; 43:5). Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 32/1 (1989): 27-49. The attention now turns to the interpretation of the vision in verses 11-14. [Links], Block, Daniel I. Then the nations will know that He is indeed YHWH, the supreme and only God before whom no other god can stand. His response indicates that he feels completely helpless in the face of this image of total despondency.58, However, God doesn't let him off so easily. The removal of Israel from their land had negative consequences for YHWH in the eyes of other peoples. It is also significant to note that , although a feminine noun, in verse 20 controls a masculine form of the verb (), indicating that it does not have the meaning "wind" here, but "spirit", almost as an "independent entity".16. As Israel's God, YHWH had certain obligations; including the defence of the land and its people.
But it moves quickly beyond anything that ever perfectly characterized the returned exiles in their postexilic history.
Greenberg33understands here as "wind". Macon: Smyth & Helwys, 2005. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999. Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses 78/1 (2002): 148-155. https://doi.org/10.2143/ETL.78.1.589[Links], Mar, Leonard. The image of death is further underlined by this extreme dryness. It was an amazing sight. It is only when the enters them, that they will live. The attention is returned to the cherubim and the wheels beside them, with the glory of God above them. He goes there in his own power, where he encounters the glory of the LORD, the same as he faced at the Chebar river. The Book of Ezekiel chapters 1-24. God's holiness will be vindicated and the people will know that He is God. A valley, filled with a huge number of bones. It is clear that in the Book of Ezekiel, at least, was not understood as an independent persona, but as a manifestation of YHWH himself. The historical context is provided: the fifth day of the sixth month of the sixth year. This pattern, of a vision followed by God verbally appointing the prophet is also found in 1 Kings 22 and Isaiah 6.23 The prophet is still lying prostate on his face (1:28) when he hears God speaking to him, telling him to stand on his feet for the purpose of a conversation. [Links], De Vries, Pieter. Ez 14:1; 20:1). 55 Cf Levison, Filled, 95. Simultaneously, God speaks to him with the command to prophesy to the house of Israel. Ezekiel now has to address the to come from the north, east, south, and west and infuse the corpses with life. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1997. The text does not provide detail on the manner of his death, but the effect on the prophet is overwhelming: he falls on his face, crying out to God, fearing the destruction of the remnant of his people (11:13). The purpose of the article can thus be formulated as follows: What is the role and function of the in the Book of Ezekiel? Ezekiel 1:12 states that the four living creatures went where the went (cf. They represent and express divine power, omnipotence, and omniscience.14, Each creature was accompanied by a wheel, sparkling like chrysolite and resembling a wheel within a wheel. 61 Block, Ezekiel 25-48, 376 puts it as follows: "Yahweh's goal in reviving these bones is not simply the biological-chemical reconstitution of the body or even the restoration of physical life. This figure then stretches out his "hand" and grabs him. Ezekiel recognizes them to be the same living creatures he saw at the Chebar river in chapter 1 (10:15, 20-22). 52 Cf Leslie Allen, Ezekiel 20-48 (WBC 29; Dallas: Word, 1990), 179. Now the lifts him up again and transports him to the east gate (11:1) from where he sees a new scene involving the presence of twenty-five men. Gn 2:7). The message is explicit: God's concern is for his holy name (36:16-21). While he was prophesying there was a rattling sound as the bones came together; then sinews and flesh came on them, and they were covered with flesh. Review & Expositer 111/4 (2014): 390-400. https://doi.org/10.1177/0034637314552269[Links], Vosloo, Wil. [Links], Odell, Margaret S. Ezekiel. "'Twice as much of your spirit': Elijah, Elisha, and the Spirit of God." Levison42 describes the significance of this image as follows: This stunning image of the spirit of life as that which bustles within the wheels that accompany the cherubim multi-directionally throughout the world marks a turning point in Israelite interpretations of the spirit within. Block65 points out that Ezekiel here converts a formulaic warning of judgment "I will pour out my wrath" (cf. Pentecostals often maintain that the presence of the spirit of God in people's lives in the Old Testament was intermittent and transitory. 15 Pamela Kinlaw, "From death to life: The expanding 1 in Ezekiel," PRS 30/1 (2003): 165. This indicates the not only as the animating power from God that transports him back, but also as the inspiration for the vision. A variety of manifestations resulted from the influence of the Spirit on the prophets, such as prophesying, the reception of revelations (both auditory and visionary), the proclamation of God's word and ecstatic experiences. Ezekiel is to tell the bones that God will cause his life-giving to enter them, and then they shall live again. It seems that is here more than just breath, or an animating impulse, but it should also not be fully equated with the Spirit of God in the sense of the Holy Spirit as third person in the trinity.22 The idea of as a manifestation of YHWH, indicating his omnipresence and his life-giving power, seems to fit best in the context. If this is true, the editor of the MT then deliberately changed the text to present a more positive conclusion to the Gog section. 21 Block, Ezekiel 1-24, 101; cf also Joseph Blenkinsopp, Ezekiel (Int; Louisville: John Knox, 1990), 24. 22 De Vries, "Relationship," 112 has suggested that in certain cases a development in the direction of 1 as an independent personality, is hinted at. The then lifts Ezekiel up again and takes him in the vision by the back to the exiles. 4 Wilf Hildebrandt, An Old Testament Theology of the Spirit of God (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1995), 187. Garden City: Doubleday, 1997. Duguid12 argues that this image of YHWH riding on a storm, by fire and lightning, should be understood as a description of the coming of the divine warrior (cf. When this happens, the prophet will either be filled with uncommon strength "or with that supreme tension outwardly manifest as a trance brought on by consciousness of being addressed by God".41 Ezekiel utilizes it in the latter sense. He bases his argument on the reading of LXX. The hand of the LORD denotes God's power coming on someone. No longer does the spirit merely give life, as it had to adam and as it does to all animals and all of humankind; now the spirit gives movement to life. 3 Daniel Block, "The prophet of the Spirit: The use of rwh in the Book of Ezekiel," JETS 32/1 (1989): 29 has indicated that 1 is scattered throughout the first part of Ezekiel (1-24) and the last part (33-48). The intention though is clear: YHWH will bring new life and restore his people. It is therefore quite possible to understand in the same sense of the word as spirit here in 3:12 & 14. The wheels suggest a chariot, also a characteristic feature of the image of divine warrior. He promises that he will bring them back to their land, purify them, and give them a new hear and spirit. 6 None of the texts analysed presented a clear indication of in the sense of the New Testament understanding of the Holy Spirit as the third person in the trinity. Clearly, they are completely despairing and feeling rejected by God. Ez 4:1-15; 5:1-4). [Links], Blenkinsopp, Joseph. Skrif en Kerk 4/2 (1983): 40-68. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v4i2.917[Links], Wood, Leon J. As a result of the entering him, Ezekiel received important instructions concerning his work. 32 Odell, Ezekiel, 45. 6 Cf Block, Ezekiel 1-24, 83. This underlines the fact that the was not just a wind that carried him around but that it refers to the spirit of God functioning as the energizing power of God providing movement and inspiration to fulfil the mission of God. Christopher Wright49 describes this restoration process profoundly: It begins on the plane of anticipated history. 37 Block, Ezekiel 1-24, 280. [Links], Greenberg, Moshe. In chapter 36:27 and 37:14 it is stated that the will be put inside the people, bringing about renewal and empowering them to a new life of obedience. Block38points out that the temple vision is framed by the conveying activity of the (8:1; 11:24).39 In chapter 8, after Ezekiel observing the first scene of the atrocities committed in the temple, the subsequent scenes are all introduced with "he brought me to Block40 argues that "in the absence of any possible intervening antecedents we should have expected a feminine form of the verb agreeing with the nearest subject", which is of course, . "Acts of the Spirit: Ezekiel 37 in the light of contemporary Speech-Act Theory." This is the case for both the former prophets as well as the latter prophets. There aren't even bodies left - only bones! 48 Cf Block, Ezekiel 25-48, 347-348. Margaret Odell, Ezekiel (SHBC; Macon: Smyth 6 Helwys, 2005), 16 supports this proposal, arguing for the significance of the age of 30. This argument does not seem convincing. The empowerment function of the occurs here as well. This is the first of seven passages where Ezekiel speaks of the transporting him to other places (cf. It is thus clear that YHWH's purpose is not so much to bring back biological life, but it is the spiritual renewal of his people. The fact that the is acting from the outside, not the inside, and the definite article that is missing, might suggest that YHWH here commands a wind to do his bidding. Exile does not only entail removal from their land, in reality it involves their death.64. Wood43 argues that the phrase "the spirit lifted me and brought me to the Lord's house" seems to indicate that the prophet made a distinction between the spirit and God. Chapter 37:14 explicitly states that YHWH will place his inside them, enabling the people to live in a new relationship with God. The simultaneity of the voice speaking and Ezekiel being raised to his feet suggests the being the source of the energizing power of the spoken word. Kinlaw15 points out that the here does not come from without as a wind, but it empowers the wheels to movement from within. The answer to Ezekiel's anguish is provided in chapter 11:14-21: from amongst the exiles God will draw the remnant of his people. It was the age when Levites started their service in the sanctuary (Nm 4:3, 23, 30).
The movement of the wheels were bound to the movement of the creatures, because the in the wheels was the same as in the creatures. The function and role of the will be discussed as they arise from the texts. Ezekiel. Israel's defilement of the land resulted in the defilement of YHWH's Name.48. It speaks of cleansing and moral transformation, of radical inward change and radical outward obedience. The empowerment function of the is emphasized through "the hand of the LORD" coming upon him (cf. Allen25 counters this argument by pointing out that the next verb, (the third person feminine singular refers to ) indicates an independent power "that stands on the divine side of reality". The message he brings here is a devastating word of judgment. Ekklesiastikos Pharos 91 (2009): 72-81. Israel defiled the land through their impure actions; therefore, they were judged and scattered among the nations (36:16-19). Without the he couldn't do anything. He will put sinews on them and cover them with flesh and skin. "Power to Save!? De Vries34 even asserts (to my mind, correctly) that the explicit reference to in 11:24 can be offered as an argument that the transporting activity of the should therefore in all cases be understood as the activity of God's spirit.35 The presence of the living creatures and the wheels, as well as the reference to the hand of the LORD being upon him (Ez 3:13-14) seems to me to reinforce the idea that the reference here is to the spirit, and not just a wind. The date, location, and nature of the vision are stated. 68 Hildebrandt, Theology, 92. All the contents of this journal, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License, The Old Testament Society of Southern Africa (OTSSA). [Links], Block, Daniel I. 29 Francois Mller, The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers (Words of Light and Life Volume 6; Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1997), 8. The fact that God appears to him while in a foreign land, underlines the fact that YHWH, Israel's God, was not confined just to one place as gods were understood to be, but He is active wherever He pleases.6 The first verse is written in autobiographical style, pointing to the very personal nature of Ezekiel's experience. also Ez 1:20-21. The is thus again identified as the one that brings life. How was the prophet empowered by the Did the indwell the prophet or did he experience the presence of the sporadically? [Links], Horton, Stanley M. What the Bible says about the Holy Spirit. It reinforces the emphasis on God's power, already indicated by the four creatures and the wheels.20 A similar idea is maintained by Block21 when he interprets here as "the life-giving, energizing power of God". This stands in sharp contrast to the indictment of the false prophets in Ezekiel 13, where they are exposed as following their own spirit (:13:3) even though they claim that they are speaking the word of God (13:6-8).46 Ezekiel though, is inspired by the . The promise of a new day for the land (36:8-11) and for the people is given (36:12-15).47 The rest of the chapter (36:16-38) then deals with the restoration of the honour of God. Words of Light and Life Volume 6. 26 Block, Ezekiel 1-24, 115, cf also De Vries, "Relationship," 119. Out of these He will gather his people and return them to the land of Israel (:17). This indicates that Ezekiel was filled with the . 30 Horton, Holy Spirit, 29, 30-31, 46, 49, 57; Leonard Mar, "Some remarks on the spirit of God in the life of David," EP 88 (2006): 30-41; Leonard Mar, "Psalm 51: 'Take not your Holy Spirit away from me,'" AT 28/1 (2008): 93-104; Leonard Mar, "'Twice as much of your spirit': Elijah, Elisha, and the Spirit of God," EP 91 (2009): 72-81; Lee Roy Martin, "Power to Save!? Wright60 argues rightly that this picture brings the creation of humanity to mind (cf. In Ezekiel chapter 10 we find a description of the reappearance of the living creatures, now identified as cherubim, accompanied by the wheels within wheels. The sweetness cannot refer to the contents of the message - lamentation and woe. The same role of the is found in Ezekiel 11:5 where the falls on Ezekiel while God simultaneously orders him to prophesy to the house of Israel. Interpretation: A Bible commentary for teaching and preaching. The stage is thus set for the second step. [Links], Levison, John R. Filled with the Spirit. He is then told that God has appointed him as watchman. 5 Cf Leslie Allen, Ezekiel 1-19 (WBC 28; Dallas: Word, 1994), 20-21 for an overview of the possible explanations for the phrase. The noun occurs 52 times in Ezekiel,3 covering the full semantic range signified by the word throughout the Old Testament.4 A selection of these texts where seems to indicate some working of the spirit, will be investigated. The same function of the as the one who provides movement as the energizing power of YHWH is found in chapter 10:17 where the movement of the wheels is also attributed to the . 28 Kinlaw, "From death to life", 165. God then promises a heart and spirit transplant. It has been suggested that in these passages should be understood as a gust of wind picking him up and carrying him about. But even there, among the nations, they profaned God's Name (36:20-21).
Verses 21-24 focus on God's just judgment of his people. Ezekiel's vision brings to mind a storm theophany.11 A stormy wind () comes from the north along with a great cloud, accompanied by fire, surrounded with brightness, and in its midst, gleaming metal. 44 Greenberg, Ezekiel 1-20, 185 45 Cf Allen, Ezekiel 1-19, 160-161. 38 Block, "Prophet," 34. Parker, "A vision of hope and fear: Creative research and Ezekiel 1," R&E 111/4 (2014): 390-400 has published a fascinating study on how the creation of visual art can contribute to the research on Ezekiel 1. 11 Cf further De Vries, "Relationship," 116. The purpose of the article can be formulated as follows: What is the role and function of the in the Book of Ezekiel? Even though He abandons those in Jerusalem, He has been a sanctuary for those in exile (:16). 63 Cf Block, Ezekiel25-48, 379-380. However, the sinews, flesh, and skin will not bring life. here clearly indicates the animating power of God, without which life is impossible. He then connects this power to the empowering of the living creatures and the wheels in Ezekiel 1:12, 20-21. Immediately thereafter the prophet is tested whether he will be different by obeying God's word and serving Him. 5 On a few occasions (2:2; 3:24) the text states that the enters the prophet. 42 John Levison, Filled with the Spirit (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009), 98. It seems that Ezekiel saw directly into the heavenly throne room, where he had an intimate encounter with YHWH.10. Of significance for the present study, is the reference in verse 17 that the movement of the wheels is attributed to the . 19 Allen, Ezekiel 1-19, 32; cf also Odell, Ezekiel, 26 who argues that although is not explicitly here identified with God's sprit, the frequency of the word's occurrence indicates a profusion of power. An Old Testament Theology of the Spirit of God. Block36 states that it refers to the broad Mesopotamian plain in Babylon, an area that was a wilderness, and therefore quite suitable for a personal meeting with the LORD. It thus indicates a manifestation of God's empowering presence, as it did in chapter 1. 3 Chapter 3: Eating scrolls and transported by the . 37:14; 39:29; cf. 46 Cf further Block, "Prophet," 41-43. 41 Greenberg, Ezekiel 1-20, 41 -42. Pelatiah's death foreshadows the fate of all the leaders of iniquity in the city. [Links], Mar, Leonard. The phrase "the heavens were opened" appears only here in the Old Testament.
: The Role of the Spirit of the Lord in the Book of Judges." Therefore Kinlaw's28 assertion that it is as wind that enters the prophet cannot be supported.
Ezekiel then experiences the hand of God falling on him. Each creature had the appearance of coals of fire with lightning flashing from them. 54 Duguid, Ezekiel, 426.
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