The World of the Text of Ezekiel Creates - Essay Example

The World behind the Book of Ezekiel Module Module ID: BOOK OF EZEKIEL—CHAPTERS 37 & 38 Introduction: The methods and manners, employed for making the interpretations of the text of the Holy Scriptures, have always been the debatable subject for the scholars, analysts and interpreters alike since ever. The scholars always attempt to examine whether or not the text maintains historical background in it, or serves as the predication included while explaining the text of the Scriptures.1 Since texts of Scriptures are attributed to Almighty God, which have been revealed to the holy prophets for the guidance of humanity; consequently, the Biblical scholars have to pay particular heed to all the essentialities while interpreting the Biblical text.2 The present study aims to make interpretation of the Book of Ezekiel by allocating special consideration to chapters 37 and 38. Lord’s Address to the Dead and Dry Bones: The above-stated chapters of the Book of Ezekiel tend to make prophecies about the future events to be taken place in the collective life of the House of Jacob.3 Chapter 37 begins with Ezekiel’s describing the Hand of the Lord4 taking him to some valley full of dead and dry bones everywhere. The Hand of the Lord signifies the powers of Almighty God; the same has also been mentioned in many places in the Bible, as the Lord has stated: “For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD. "But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.5 Similarly, at another place, God’s hand has been mentioned in these words: `Was It Not My Hand Which Made All These Things?6 In both of the above verses, the Hand of God represents the supreme omnipotence of the Lord. It is partly because of the very fact that hands signify the labor or toil made by almost all living creatures to achieve something constructive as well as for the fulfillment of one’s needs and desires. As a result, the description of the Hand of God reflects the acts performed by God by applying His countless powers. The verses of chapter 37 of the Book of Ezekiel further narrates that the Lord enquired from Ezekiel whether the dead bones could become full of life again after death; where Ezekiel maintained that only the Lord is all-Knowing, while he did not have enough knowledge about various things including reincarnation.7 At this, Ezekiel found the Lord addressing to the dry bones of the dead people, where He maintained that He would infuse life into the sinews and bones of the dead people.8 The verse mirrors the supremacy and authority attributed to the Creator of heavens and the earth, Who once had created the entire universe9, and countless creatures as well as all humans out of the absolute chaos.10 It is therefore, infusing life into the dead bodies and dry bones could not be a difficult task for Him altogether. Thus, the verses depicted the infinite and immeasurable powers of the all-Powerful, which He had demonstrated before the son of man i.e. Ezekiel. Moreover, the narration of the valley full of bones of lifeless skeletons, and their coming to life revealed the powers of Almighty God.11 Since the mythology of creation is not comprehensible for humans, where they cannot understand that there could be infused life into a dead body, Ezekiel looked justified in demonstrating his ignorance on the matter. Nevertheless, the verses endorse the reincarnation of the dead ones in future, as soon as the Lord would issue the command for their rebirth after death. Thus, as soon as the Lord commanded the wind to infuse life on the dry bones, the dead bodies started breathing.12 The chapter further demonstrates the divine prophecies, including the reunion of both of the rival tribes of the House of Jacob, i.e. Judah and Israel,13 which later re-united under one banner, under the leadership of King David.14 It was the time when both the tribes were at daggers drawn against one another; somehow, the blessings of their Lord turned them united, and they fought against the common enemies, which led to the establishment of a united kingdom. Hence, the Biblical prophecy turned out to be true in future, and the Israelites became successful in establishing their independent United Kingdom of Judah and Israel in the wake of the victory of David over Saul.15 Similarly, chapter 38 of the Book of Ezekiel makes further prophecies about the triumphs of the Israelites over the pagans and non-believers. The chapter elucidates the ultimate ruination of the nation of Gog, then settled on the land of Magog16, where their royalty and population would be deprived of all their possessions and magnificence because of their defying the commandments of the Lord. The prophecies regarding the fall of other non-believer nations have also been made by the Lord while His entering into conversation with him. Consequently, Ezekiel noticed the ultimate end of the transgressor individuals and populations, as no one could escape the wrath of God at any cost. It was not confined to one particular group or nation; on the contrary, it is equally applied to all the people without discrimination. Even the Jews had to lead the life of slavery under the Egyptians Pharaohs for centuries due to their putting aside the word of Scripture, as well as not emulating the commands decreed by the Lord.17 Unlike the previous one, chapter 38 does not consist of mere optimistic prophecies and glad tidings to the Jewish people only. On the other hand, this part of the book under-examination also points out the hard times the generations of Jews would have to experience in future years to go. The verses explicitly declare that the House of Jacob could obtain the possession of the lands of Palestine and Israel by dint of demonstrating the gallant deeds through the use of sword against their enemies i.e. the forces of pagan nations.18 Side by side, the chapter also explains that the individuals violating the divine law instead of submitting to the word of God would face humiliation and God’s displeasure19, because of their longing for a life that is luxurious one in nature, and hence is entirely contrary to the commands of the Lord. The Hebrews had also tasted the fruit of disobeying the commands of the Lord, where they had indulged into revelries. Consequently, the Egyptians used to inflict painful sufferings upon the Hebrews; they not only declared them to be the slaves of the Egyptians, but also had ordered the midwives to kill the Hebrew sons and keep their daughters alive.20 And the same turned out to be true in future, as the individuals that had bravely fought against Saul, Goliath and others under the commandership of David, won applause and victory.21 On the other hand, the individuals violating the explicit instructions of David had to undergo the wrath of God ultimately. To conclude, it becomes evident that chapters 37 and 38 from the Book of Ezekiel narrate the prophecies attributed to the Ezekiel, where the Prophet Ezekiel has rightly made the claim of his dialogue with the Lord. Almighty God, through the revelations, had shown the developments to be observed by the Hebrews in future decades to go. Most of the prophecies had communicated the triumphs and victories of the Hebrews over their enemies, and the glad tidings regarding the union of Israel and Judah had also been communicated to Ezekiel. Somehow, the Lord had also informed Ezekiel the ultimate end of the transgressors and non-compliant, particularly the Gog and Magog;22 which could be from different groups, races and nations of humanity.23 Since all prophecies mentioned in the chapter under-analysis had come out to be true, it reflects the divine revelations experienced by the Prophet Ezekiel. Bibliography Davidson, Richard M. “Biblical Interpretation.” London: Biblical Research Center, 2011. Dimont, Max I. Jews, God and History. 2nd edition New York: New American Library, 2003. Fairbairn, Patrick. Ezekiel and the Book of His Prophecy: An Exposition. New York: The University of California, 2007. Smith, Bob. “Basics of Bible Interpretation: Words to Live.” New York: Discovery Publishing, 2003. Bible Gateway. “David and Goliath.” 1 Samuel 17:2-25. Bible Gateway. “ Genesis I:1-31. King James Bible Online. “Ezekiel: Chapters 37 and 38. Exodus 1:11-15 The Qur’an. Chapter 2, Al-Baqarah/The Heifer, Verse 49. Retrieved from http://quran.com/2/49 Read More