When Glory Departs: God’s Judgment and the People’s Rebellion
- Be God's Glory
- Sep 3
- 11 min read
Welcome to Day 246 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Ezekiel. In these chapters, God reveals the sobering reality of His judgment upon Jerusalem and the seriousness of sin. Ezekiel witnesses the glory of the Lord departing from the temple, a heartbreaking sign that God’s presence will no longer dwell among a rebellious people. The prophet then receives messages concerning corrupt leaders, the remnant who will be preserved, and symbolic acts that dramatize Judah’s coming exile. Through visions and prophetic signs, God makes it clear that His warnings are not empty threats but assured realities. These chapters emphasize both the certainty of judgment for disobedience and the hope of restoration for a faithful remnant, showing God’s justice and mercy in perfect balance.
Ezekiel 10
Ezekiel 10 describes a vision of God’s glory departing from the temple in Jerusalem. The prophet sees the cherubim—heavenly beings—alongside the fiery wheels filled with God’s spirit, signifying His divine authority and mobility. A man clothed in linen takes coals of fire from between the cherubim to scatter over the city, symbolizing God’s coming judgment on Jerusalem. The glory of the Lord moves from above the cherubim to the threshold of the temple, filling it with brightness, yet also foreshadowing departure. This tragic scene shows that God will no longer dwell with His people because of their corruption and idolatry. The departing glory reveals that God’s holiness cannot coexist with persistent sin.
Ezekiel 11
In Ezekiel 11, the prophet is shown the corruption of Jerusalem’s leaders who give wicked counsel to the people, assuring them of peace when destruction is near. God declares judgment on these leaders, saying they will be delivered into the hands of foreigners and executed. As Ezekiel prophesies, one of the leaders, Pelatiah, dies, which causes Ezekiel to fall face down and cry out for mercy. Yet God also promises hope: He will gather a remnant from the nations where they have been scattered and give them a new heart and spirit. This chapter demonstrates that while judgment is certain for the rebellious, God still has a plan of restoration for those who turn back to Him. The departing glory of the Lord from the city underscores the seriousness of their sin and His holiness.
Ezekiel 12
Ezekiel 12 presents God’s command for the prophet to act out a symbolic sign of exile before the people. Ezekiel packs his belongings and digs through a wall to escape at night, representing how King Zedekiah and the people of Judah would go into captivity. God explains that the prince of Jerusalem will attempt to flee but will be captured and brought to Babylon, though he will not see the city, fulfilling prophecy of his blinded condition. Ezekiel also eats bread with trembling and drinks water with fear, symbolizing the terror and scarcity the people will face. God rebukes the false proverb that His words will be delayed, declaring that His warnings will be fulfilled quickly. This chapter drives home the truth that God’s judgment is imminent and unavoidable, leaving no room for complacency.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Ezekiel comes from the Hebrew name Yehezqel, which means “God strengthens” or “God is my strength.” This meaning is significant in the context of the book because Ezekiel is called by God to strengthen the faith of Israel and uphold God’s authority in the midst of the nation’s exile and rebellion.
Purpose of the Book:
The book of Ezekiel was written primarily to warn, convict, and comfort the people of Israel during their exile in Babylon (c. 593–571 BC). Its purposes include:
Warning of Judgment: To declare God’s judgment on Israel for their idolatry, rebellion, and unfaithfulness (Ezekiel 5:5–17).
Encouraging Repentance: To call the people to repentance and restore hope for the remnant who return to God (Ezekiel 18:30–32).
Revealing God’s Sovereignty and Glory: Through vivid visions, symbolic acts, and prophetic messages, the book emphasizes that God is sovereign over all nations, not just Israel (Ezekiel 1:26–28; 36:22–23).
Promising Restoration: Ezekiel concludes with promises of renewal for Israel, including the vision of the valley of dry bones and the restored temple, symbolizing spiritual revival and national restoration (Ezekiel 37:1–28; 40–48).
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The book of Ezekiel is attributed to the prophet Ezekiel, a priest and prophet among the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Evidence for his authorship includes:
Biblical References:
Ezekiel repeatedly identifies himself in the text as the recipient of God’s visions and messages (Ezekiel 1:3, 2:1, 3:4).
The Book of 2 Kings 24–25 provides historical context about the Babylonian exile, confirming the timeframe of Ezekiel’s ministry.
Extra-Biblical Support:
The Jewish historian Josephus in Antiquities of the Jews (Book 10, Chapter 10) references Ezekiel as a prophet active during the Babylonian exile, confirming the traditional attribution.
The Talmud (Babylonian Talmud, tractate Megillah 14b) also recognizes Ezekiel as the author of the prophetic book that bears his name.
Internal Evidence: The first-person accounts, vivid visions, and symbolic actions consistently present throughout the book strongly suggest a single author with intimate knowledge of priestly practices and the Babylonian exile experience.
Key People:
Ezekiel – The prophet and main figure, called by God to deliver messages of warning, judgment, and hope.
God (YHWH) – Central figure of the book, revealed in powerful visions and messages.
King Jehoiachin – King of Judah taken into Babylonian exile, mentioned in Ezekiel 1:2 and 24:1–2.
Other Israelites – The people of Israel, often depicted as rebellious and in need of correction (Ezekiel 2:3–5; 18:2–3).
Foreign Nations – Babylon, Tyre, Egypt, Ammon, Moab, and Edom, who are often referenced in prophecies of judgment (Ezekiel 25–32).
Conclusion
The book of Ezekiel concludes with a powerful message of hope, restoration, and God’s enduring presence. Despite Israel’s rebellion and judgment, God promises to gather His people, cleanse them from sin, and restore them to their land. The final chapters (Ezekiel 40–48) present a vision of a renewed temple and a reestablished covenant community, symbolizing spiritual revival and the assurance that God remains faithful to His promises. The overarching theme is that God is holy, sovereign, and faithful, and He works through judgment and restoration to fulfill His purposes for His people.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:
Ezekiel 10
In Ezekiel 10, God’s holiness and purity are revealed through the vision of His glory departing from the temple. His character shines as a righteous Judge who cannot remain in the presence of persistent sin and idolatry. While the scene is tragic, it also teaches that God is patient and slow to anger, but His justice demands action when His people refuse to repent. The lesson here is clear: God’s presence is a gift, and when people continually choose rebellion, they risk losing the blessing of His nearness.
While no specific Hebrew names of God are mentioned in this chapter, His character as the God of glory (kavod YHWH) is evident as His radiant presence fills and then leaves the temple. This departure shows us that God’s glory is not tied to a building but to His people’s obedience and relationship with Him. The lesson is that we must not take God’s presence for granted; instead, we should live in reverence and obedience to remain aligned with His holiness.
Ezekiel 11
In Ezekiel 11, God demonstrates both justice and mercy. He judges corrupt leaders who mislead the people with false security, showing His intolerance for wickedness and injustice. Yet, He also reveals His compassion by promising to restore a remnant and give them a new heart and spirit. This balance shows us that God is both a Judge and a Redeemer, disciplining those who persist in sin but always leaving a path of restoration for those who turn back to Him.
The chapter does not mention a specific Hebrew name of God, but His nature as Elohim (the supreme Creator and Judge) is reflected in His authority to both scatter and regather His people. The promise of a “new heart and spirit” points to His role as Jehovah Mekaddishkem (The Lord who sanctifies). The lesson is that God wants to renew us from within, not just correct outward behavior. He calls us to surrender our hearts so that we may live in true obedience and experience His restoring power.
Ezekiel 12
In Ezekiel 12, God reveals His truthfulness and faithfulness to His word. The people doubted His warnings, but He makes it clear that His words will not be delayed—what He speaks will come to pass. His character as a God of integrity shines through, reminding us that He does not make empty threats or promises. The lesson is that we can fully trust His word, whether it speaks of judgment or restoration, and we must respond with obedience rather than doubt.
This chapter does not explicitly use Hebrew names of God, but His character aligns with Jehovah El Emeth (The Lord God of Truth). He shows Himself as the One who fulfills His word without delay. The lesson is that we should not grow complacent or skeptical about God’s promises. Instead, we must live with urgency, knowing that God’s word will be accomplished in His perfect timing.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
What does God’s departure from the temple in Ezekiel 10 reveal about His holiness and intolerance of sin?
How does God’s judgment of corrupt leaders in Ezekiel 11 show His justice and care for His people?
In Ezekiel 11, what does God’s promise of a new heart and spirit reveal about His compassion and desire for restoration?
How does God demonstrate His truthfulness in Ezekiel 12 when He declares His word will no longer be delayed?
What do these chapters teach us about God’s balance between judgment and mercy?
How do the visions of God’s glory in Ezekiel 10 remind us of His majesty and sovereignty over all creation?
How can we see God’s faithfulness to His promises in both His warnings of judgment and His promises of restoration?
Questions About Themes:
What is the significance of God’s glory departing from the temple, and what does it mean for the people of Jerusalem?
How do Ezekiel’s symbolic acts in chapter 12 communicate the certainty of the coming exile?
In what ways do these chapters highlight the dangers of ignoring God’s warnings?
How does the promise of a remnant in Ezekiel 11 fit into the larger theme of God’s plan for His people?
What role does leadership play in God’s judgment in Ezekiel 11, and why does God hold leaders accountable?
How does the proverb in Ezekiel 12 (“The vision he sees is for many years from now”) reflect people’s tendency to dismiss God’s timing?
How do these chapters as a whole reveal the tension between God’s judgment against sin and His desire to restore His people?
Reflective Application Questions:
In what ways might we take God’s presence for granted in our own lives, and how can we guard against this?
How can we ensure that we are not following false assurances like the people who listened to corrupt leaders in Ezekiel 11?
What does it mean for you personally to receive a “new heart and spirit” from God, and how can you live that out daily?
How does Ezekiel 12 challenge you to take God’s Word more seriously in your life?
Are there areas where you have delayed obedience, thinking God’s judgment or discipline would not come quickly? How should you respond?
How do these chapters call you to live with urgency and faith in light of God’s promises and warnings?
What practical steps can you take to align your life with God’s holiness, justice, and truth as revealed in these passages?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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