595 B.C. – 48 Chapters – 1273 Verses
Our prophet seems to have been held in high repute amongst his exiled countrymen, and his house a meeting-place for the elders of Israel and heads of the people (chs. 8:1; 14:1; 20:1, etc.), who assembled to hear the words of the Lord from the burning and eloquent lips of the prophet.
The desolation of all Israel being now complete, the whole nation is generally embraced in these prophecies. In the book we have a good deal as to Israel’s ecclesiastical future, which might be expected from the combination of priestly service and prophetic ministry in the introduction. The future settlement of the tribes in the land, in equal and parallel bands, across the country from east to west, with numerous interesting details bearing upon Israel’s millennial position, is also given us (ch. 48).
There is no direct reference in the book either to Christ’s first advent in grace or to His second in glory — the gap between these epochs is filled up by the circumstances detailed in the book of Daniel. Another interesting circumstance may here be noted, namely, that the title ‘Son of Man,’ applied to the prophet above 100 times, is also used in the book of Daniel twice, and the blessed Lord, in the days of His flesh, applied it to Himself 60 times or thereby. Our prophet also speaks of Noah, who preached righteousness; of Daniel, who suffered for righteousness; and of Job, whose righteousness withered in presence of the Divine glory (ch. 14:14). The departure of the “glory” from the temple, then from the city (chs. 1-10), and its return to the millennial temple (ch. 43) are graphically and vividly portrayed. The future temple will be built according to Divine pattern and measurement (chs. 40-42); the long-deserted throne of Judah will also be occupied by a lineal descendant of David’s house, termed in the closing chapters of the book “the Prince.” The feasts, ordinances, and sacrifices, commemorative of Christ’s work and Israel’s glorious deliverance, will be reinstituted according to the new covenant made with the people — hence Pentecost, which has already received its fulfilment in the calling of the church, will be omitted. The new birth will be absolutely needful for Israel’s introduction into millennial blessing, while of course it is indispensable to Divine favour now. Compare Ezekiel 36:25-27,25Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. (Ezekiel 36:25‑27) with John 3:3-123Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? (John 3:3‑12).
General Divisions
Chapters 1-24 — A series of chronologically arranged prophecies bearing upon the impending Chaldean invasion, the destruction of Jerusalem, the scattering of the people, and utter ruin of all Israel. This division closes with the destruction of Jerusalem.
Chapters 25-32 — Judgment of the nations who participated in or rejoiced in the ruin of Judah. There are seven nations (a symbolic number signifying completeness) pointed out as the objects of Divine judgment, and who rejoiced or aided in the destruction of Jerusalem and scattering of her people, namely, Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia (ch. 25), nations bordering upon Immanuel’s land; then Tyre (chs. 26-28:19) and Zidon (chs. 28:20-23), the great commercial centers; and, lastly, Egypt (chs. 29-32), to which latter judgments of the most unsparing kind are dealt out.
Chapters 33-39 — Judgment upon Israel; upon Gog and her allies in the closing days, with promises of future restoration and blessing of all Israel. Gog is judged after the commencement of the kingdom reign.
Chapters 40-48 — The millennial temple and its services; the throne and the people established securely in the land.
Note
Who is Gog and Magog of chapters 38, 39? We believe the reference is to the last prince or autocrat of all the Russias: Magog, or ancient Scythia, is his land. Russia will be the great antagonist and leader of the powers north and east of Israel in the coming future for Israel. The attack described in these chapters will be after the Lord has come, and at the introduction of the millennial era. The sentence, “O, Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal,” is rendered by the Septuagint, “O, Gog, prince of Rosh,” i.e. Russia. This is further confirmed by the naming of the former European and present Asiatic capitals of the empire, Moscow and Tobolsk. Gog and Magog in this book, therefore, refer to the Russian people and land; but in the Apocalypse (Rev. 20:88And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. (Revelation 20:8)) the expression must be understood symbolically.