Ezekiel: Son of Man

This 1998 series, Ezekiel: Son of Man, delivered by Brother Ron Hicks, offers a sweeping exploration of one of the most challenging and neglected prophecies in Scripture. Across six classes, the talks trace the great themes of Ezekiel—judgment, exile, the departure of God’s glory, and the promise of restoration—while showing how its timeless principles speak powerfully to our own age. Listeners are invited to see Ezekiel not as a collection of isolated visions, but as a unified message of warning and hope, urging faithfulness in the face of looming disaster and confidence in the glory yet to be revealed.

Introduction and Overview

The series begins by setting Ezekiel in his historical context as a priest taken into exile in Babylon. This overview highlights the three main divisions of the book—warnings of judgment, oracles against the nations, and visions of hope—and introduces the great themes of God’s holiness, human failure, and divine restoration. Ezekiel’s call as a watchman is shown to be just as relevant today, urging believers to heed God’s word in a time of crisis.

Ezekiel’s Commissioning

This class reflects on the prophet’s first vision of God’s glory and his daunting commission to speak to a rebellious people. The dramatic imagery of the cherubim and the storm cloud is unpacked as a reassurance of God’s presence, even in exile. The lesson emphasizes Ezekiel’s courage to deliver a hard message, and challenges disciples to remain faithful messengers despite opposition and indifference.

Departing Glory

The third class focuses on the tragic vision of God’s glory leaving the temple. In a guided vision, Ezekiel is shown the abominations taking place in Jerusalem—idols, hypocrisy, and corruption even among the elders. Step by step, God’s glory withdraws from the holy city, underscoring the seriousness of sin and the certainty of judgment. Yet this vision also calls believers to guard against complacency and remember that God always sees.

From Judgment to Blessing

Here the study moves through the symbolic acts and prophecies that warned of Jerusalem’s fall, contrasting Ezekiel’s true message with the false assurances of other prophets. The lecture highlights the danger of trusting in human strength, such as Egypt’s alliances, instead of turning to God. Yet within the judgment, glimpses of hope emerge, pointing to God’s ultimate plan of restoration for His people.

Shepherd of Israel

This lecture introduces one of the most comforting themes in Ezekiel—the promise of a true shepherd. Against the backdrop of failed leaders and corrupt shepherds who neglected the flock, God declares His intention to gather His sheep and appoint one shepherd over them. The prophecy points forward to Christ as the good shepherd, offering reassurance of God’s personal care and guidance for His people.

Resurrection and Returning Glory

The final class brings the series to its climax with the vision of the valley of dry bones, symbolizing the revival of Israel. Ezekiel is shown that God can breathe life into what seems utterly hopeless, and that His glory will one day return in full measure. The study concludes with the vision of the future temple, a symbol of God’s dwelling among His people, and a reminder that His purpose will end in restoration, resurrection, and glory.

This description has been generated by AI and lightly edited.