Book: The Way of the Word: Chapter 26: Ezekiel - Study Guide
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- 22 hours ago
- 8 min read
Welcome to the study guide for Chapter 26 of The Way of the Word. As we navigate the profound and often startling visions of the prophet Ezekiel, we are not just looking at ancient history; we are looking at the very heart of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Ezekiel was a priest turned prophet, a man of deep ritual understanding who was called to speak for God in the most "unholy" of places: the land of exile.
If you feel like you are in a season of "exile": displaced from your dreams, struggling in a desert of spiritual dryness, or wondering if God’s glory has left the room: this book was written for you. Ezekiel reminds us that no matter how "dry" the bones have become, the Spirit of God (the Ruach) is still moving.
In this guide, we will break down the key theological movements of the book, provide deep-dive commentary for your small group or personal study, and offer practical steps to apply these timeless truths to your life today. Let’s dive into the radical, life-giving world of Ezekiel.
The Priest Without a Temple: Understanding Ezekiel’s Context
To understand Ezekiel, you have to understand the trauma of the exile. In 597 B.C., Ezekiel was among the second wave of captives taken from Jerusalem to Babylon. He was a priest, which meant his entire identity was tied to the Temple in Jerusalem. But at age 30: the year he should have begun his priestly service: he found himself by the Kebar River in Babylon, thousands of miles away from the "house of God."
Imagine the identity crisis. Without a Temple, how do you offer sacrifices? Without the land, how do you know you are still God’s people? It was in this moment of utter displacement that God broke through the heavens. Ezekiel’s ministry began not with a sermon, but with a vision: the famous chariot-throne vision in Chapter 1.
The message was clear: God is not confined to a building. His glory has wheels. He can meet His people in the middle of their mess, even in the heart of an enemy empire. This is the foundational encouragement of the book: God’s presence is mobile, and His grace is accessible wherever His people are.
Key Theme 1: The Weight of God’s Glory
The "Glory of the Lord" (Kabod) is the central character of Ezekiel. The book follows a tragic and then triumphant arc regarding this glory:
The Appearance of Glory (Ch. 1-3): God appears to Ezekiel in Babylon, showing that He is the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, not just a local deity of Jerusalem.
The Departure of Glory (Ch. 8-11): In a heartbreaking vision, Ezekiel sees the glory of God literally lift off from the Temple, move to the city gates, and then depart toward the east. Why? Because the people had filled the Temple with idols. God will not share His home with rival lovers.
The Return of Glory (Ch. 43): After the judgment is complete, Ezekiel sees the glory returning from the east to fill the new, visionary Temple.
Theological Insight: Holiness is not just a status; it’s a standard. Ezekiel teaches us that while God is incredibly patient, He is also "jealous" for the purity of His dwelling place: which, in the New Covenant, is us.
Key Theme 2: The Watchman and Individual Responsibility
In Ezekiel 3 and 33, God commissions the prophet as a "watchman." In ancient times, a watchman stood on the city walls to warn of approaching danger. If he saw the sword coming and didn't blow the trumpet, the blood of the people was on his hands. If he blew the trumpet and they ignored it, their blood was on their own heads.
This lead to a radical theological shift in Ezekiel 18. At the time, the Israelites had a proverb: "The parents eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge" (Ezekiel 18:2). They were blaming their ancestors for their current misery. God shuts that down immediately. He declares that every soul is accountable for its own sin.
Application: This is both a warning and a massive invitation. It means you are not a prisoner of your family tree or your past mistakes. You can "turn and live" today. Your spiritual destiny is not determined by your father’s failures or your mother’s mistakes; it is determined by your response to the Word of God right now.
Key Theme 3: A New Heart and a New Spirit
Perhaps the most famous promise in Ezekiel is found in Chapter 36. This is the "Pentecost of the Old Testament." God realizes that the problem isn't just external behavior; it’s an internal hardware issue. The "heart of stone" cannot obey God. It’s cold, unresponsive, and dead.
In Ezekiel 36:26-27, God promises a divine heart transplant:
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees..."
Theological Insight: This is the core of Assemblies of God theology regarding the work of the Holy Spirit. We do not white-knuckle our way into holiness. True transformation is a work of the Spirit. He changes our desires (the heart of flesh) and gives us the power to obey (the Spirit within).
Key Theme 4: Life from Death (The Valley of Dry Bones)
In Chapter 37, God takes Ezekiel to a valley filled with bones that are "very dry." This is a picture of Israel in exile: hopeless, disconnected, and spiritually dead. God asks the impossible question: "Son of man, can these bones live?"
Ezekiel’s response is the only wise one: "Sovereign Lord, you alone know."
What follows is a two-stage miracle. First, Ezekiel prophesies to the bones, and they rattle together, gaining sinew and skin: but they have no breath. Then, he is told to "prophesy to the breath" (Ruach). When the Spirit enters them, they stand up as a "vast army."
Application: This teaches us two things about revival. First, we need the Word (the preaching to the bones). Structure and organization are good, but they aren't enough. Second, we need the Wind (the Holy Spirit). Without the Spirit, we are just a well-dressed corpse. Revival happens when the Word and the Spirit come together.
Key Theme 5: The Good Shepherd vs. False Shepherds
Ezekiel 34 is a scathing indictment of leadership. The "shepherds of Israel" were feeding themselves while the sheep went hungry and were scattered. God declares that He will take the sheep out of their hands and become their Shepherd Himself.
He promises: "I myself will search for my sheep and look after them... I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak" (Ezekiel 34:11, 16).
This chapter is the direct background for Jesus’ claim in John 10: "I am the good shepherd." It reminds us that while human leaders may fail, God’s commitment to His flock is unwavering. He is the one who goes into the "cloudy and dark days" to find us.
Key Theme 6: The River of Life and "The LORD Is There"
The book ends with a massive, detailed vision of a New Temple (Chapters 40-48). While scholars debate whether this is a literal future building or a symbolic representation of God’s dwelling with His people, the climax is found in Chapter 47.
Ezekiel sees water trickling from under the threshold of the Temple. As it flows toward the east, it gets deeper: to the ankles, the knees, the waist, and then a river that no one can cross. Wherever this river flows, life flourishes. It even heals the Dead Sea, turning salt water into fresh water teeming with fish.
The very last verse of the book gives the new name of the city: Yahweh-Shammah, which means "The LORD Is There."
Theological Insight: The end goal of all of Ezekiel’s judgment and prophecy is presence. God wants to be with His people. The river represents the outpouring of the Spirit from the presence of God, bringing healing to the "Dead Seas" of our lives and our culture.
Discussion Questions for Bible Study Classes
Use these questions to spark deep conversation in your small group or Sunday school class:
On God’s Glory: Ezekiel saw God’s glory in a pagan land (Babylon). Have you ever experienced God’s presence in a place you didn't expect to find Him? How did that change your perspective?
On Idolatry: Chapters 8-11 show that "secret idols" caused God’s glory to depart. What are some "modern idols" that can subtly take the place of God in a believer's heart today?
On Personal Responsibility: In Ezekiel 18, God says we aren't defined by our parents' sins. How does this truth provide freedom for someone coming from a difficult or ungodly background?
On the Watchman: Do you feel a sense of "watchman" responsibility for your family, workplace, or city? How can we "blow the trumpet" of warning with grace and love rather than judgment?
On Heart Change: Discuss the difference between "trying to be a better person" and "receiving a new heart." How have you seen the Holy Spirit change your actual desires over time?
On Dry Bones: Is there an area of your life or a person you know that feels like "very dry bones"? How does Ezekiel 37 give you specific language and hope to pray over that situation?
On Leadership: Looking at Ezekiel 34, what are the characteristics of a "Good Shepherd"? How can we support our church leaders while also holding them to this biblical standard?
On the River of Life: Ezekiel 47 describes a river that gets deeper as it flows. How would you describe your current "depth" in the Spirit: ankle-deep, knee-deep, or "waters to swim in"? What is holding you back from going deeper?
Action Steps: Putting Ezekiel Into Practice
Conduct a "Heart Audit": Spend 15 minutes in silence this week. Ask the Holy Spirit: "Is there a 'heart of stone' area in me: somewhere I've become cold, cynical, or unresponsive to You?" Confess it and ask for a fresh "heart of flesh."
Prophesy to the "Dry Bones": Identify one "hopeless" situation in your sphere of influence. Find a specific Scripture promise and speak it out loud over that situation this week, inviting the Ruach (Spirit) of God to breathe life there.
Be a Watchman: Is there someone in your life who is drifting toward a dangerous "sword" (a destructive habit or a theological error)? Pray for an opportunity this week to speak the truth in love to them.
Seek the Presence: The name of the city is "The LORD Is There." Practice the presence of God today by setting a "Yahweh-Shammah" reminder on your phone. When it goes off, simply acknowledge that He is right there with you in that moment.
Memory Verses
Ezekiel 11:19:"I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh."
Ezekiel 18:32:"For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!"
Ezekiel 36:26:"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Ezekiel 37:5:"This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life."
Ezekiel 48:35b:"And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE."
About the Author: Layne McDonald, Ph.D.
Dr. Layne McDonald is a dedicated scholar, author, and minister with a passion for making the deep truths of Scripture accessible to everyday believers. With a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies and decades of experience in leadership and ministry within the Assemblies of God tradition, Dr. McDonald specializes in connecting the historical and theological riches of the Bible to the practical challenges of modern life. His work is characterized by a commitment to biblical authority, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the redemptive mission of the Church. Dr. McDonald lives to see hearts transformed by the Word and lives lived with eternal purpose.
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