(ot3) Ezek- Spirit

Spirit in Ezekiel Terminology of ruach -

Wind without direct association with animals or persons Breath of life associated with animate life Breath of speech associated more with persons Spirit

Spirit in Ezekiel - Jeremiah and Leviticus have few or no references to the Spirit • So why does Ezekiel? -

Chapters 1-24 (doom and gloom for Israel/Judah) 32 times Chapters 25-32 (oracles against the nations) 1 time Chapters 33-39 (just after fall of Jerusalem) 13 times Chapters 40-48 (vision of new temple/land/city) 6 times Key word in 1-3 and 36-39

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One of the unique marks of Ezekiel’s ministry Chapter 1 Book begins with vision of a stormy ruach (wind) from the north • North ttraditionally associated with direction of the enemies o So idea of judgement • But here the ruach is associated with God himself o God’s coming judgement on Jerusalem • Animates the living creatures that accompany him • Drives the wheels of his chariot Chapter 2

Same ruach enters the prophet o Probably means breath here o Stands him on his feet, prepares him to hear the word of God o A kind of resurrection • COMPARE Chapter 37 same breath/ruach that resurrects the nation o Because Ezekiel prophesied about it is as if his prophetic speech breathes new life into the nations Chapter 3:14 my ruach • Emotional state, anthropological sense Ruach understood in early chapters (and throughout rest of book) as violent wind, invigorating breath accompanying speech of God, Ezekiel’s own spirit

Chapter 11 & 36 both feature ruach centrally • New age will be where new ruach placed within God’s changing people • Changes them inwardly (from hearts of stone to flesh) so that they are responsive to God’s word o Jeremiah talks about placing the law within them. Ezekiel says spirit within them obedience to the law is the consequence of both • New age beyond Judgement is essentially the age of the ruach