Introduction
IV. FUTURE BLESSINGS FOR ISRAEL CHS. 33-48
"This last major division of the book focuses on the restoration of Israel’s blessing. Israel would be judged for her sin (chaps. 1-24), as would the surrounding nations (chaps. 25-32). But Israel will not remain under judgment forever. God had set her apart as His special people, and He will fulfill His promises to her." [Note: Dyer, "Ezekiel," p. 1293.]
"Chapters 33-39 comprise words of restoration and hope, and chaps. 40-48 present details of the restored community." [Note: Cooper, p. 292.]
"Some students prefer to interpret Ezekiel 33-48 idealistically or symbolically, applying these descriptions ’spiritually’ to the church today rather than literally to Israel in the future. But if we’ve been interpreting Ezekiel’s prophetic word literally up to this point, what right do we have to change our approach and start interpreting his words symbolically? . . . We must face the fact that both approaches-the symbolical and the literal-present problems to the interpreter, but taking Ezekiel’s prophecies at face value seems to present fewer problems. Furthermore, seeing literal fulfillment of these prophecies accomplishes the purpose for which God gave them, the encouragement of the people of Israel." [Note: Wiersbe, p. 222.]
Be the first to react on this!
