17:1-10 The Allegory of the Cedar Spring and the Messiah Planted by Yahweh – This chapter is anchored in current political events (Zedekiah’s rebellion), likely proclaimed not long before the actual fall of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. We receive a royal “Messianic” prophecy for the rst time in the book, allegorically, theologically, and eschatologically.
43-44 Jerusalem is like her mother and sisters – This statement could summarize Yahweh’s judgment or the preface to the following. Everyone knew Israel’s wild and agrant behavior and discussed it with the proverb, “Like mother, like daughter.” v.45 – The metaphor of verse three returns: Jerusalem is not the only child of her pagan mother and father but has two sisters.
15 Jerusalem Exchanges Her Glory for Idols – That Jerusalem “played the whore” summarizes the rest of the chapter until the eschatological reversal at its end (16:59-63). This language refers not only to literal sexual sins but also to spiritual unions with false gods (a double entendre).
God’s Love for Jerusalem and Jerusalem’s Harlotry – Chapters 16 & 23 provide bookends for the intervening chapters in an ABABAB pattern. Chapter 16 is longer than half of the minor prophets.
Cases of Casuistry – 14:1-11 probably belong to chapter 13, speci cally concerning prophecy. 14:12-23 connect with Israel and chapter 15.
Jerusalem is a Useless Vine – Poetically or liturgically, Lutherans are aware of the two meanings of “tree” or “vine.” In the proper preface for Lent, we say: “that He who by a tree once overcame might likewise by a tree be overcome,” the rst instance refers to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in Eden, while the second refers to the wooden cross. Structurally, chapter 15 belongs with 14:12-23.
Introduction to Ezekiel 12-24 —Until the Gentile oracles (chapters 25-32), these chapters can be lumped together as a miscellaneous collection of oracles of judgment upon Israel and Jerusalem. No chronological data is given until 20:1 (August 14, 591 B.C.), eleven months after the last previous date in 8:1 (September 18, 592 B.C.).
Introduction to Ezekiel 12-24 —Until the Gentile oracles (chapters 25-32), these chapters can be lumped together as a miscellaneous collection of oracles of judgment upon Israel and Jerusalem. No chronological data is given until 20:1 (August 14, 591 B.C.), eleven months after the last previous date in 8:1 (September 18, 592 B.C.).
“The Gospel According to Ezekiel” – This section summarizes the Gospel through a Christological lens. God works sub contrario, that is, in a form contrary to what human reason expects.
10:1 – We get the impression that Ezekiel is taking notes as he observes the scene before him, sometimes reporting the action but more often attempting to verbalize what he saw. It alternates, sometimes confusingly, between narration and description.
