“These personal notes are shared from sermons, classes, activities, journals, and reflections on faith. They do not represent the official views of Vox Church, and this site is not formally affiliated with Vox Church. To learn more about Vox Church and its beliefs, please visit voxchurch.org.”

Old Testament Overview – Post-Exile Prophets- Part 7

Written by

Jay Downes

in

Branford Campus Pastor Jake Rosekopf – Vox Church

My Notes-

Act 3: The King Chooses Israel

Israel is now in captivity in Babylon at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar.

The Book of Ezekiel

Ezekiel was a priest and a prophet, taken captive at the age of 25. His prophetic calling came five years later:

“On July 31 of my thirtieth year, while I was with the Judean exiles beside the Kebar River in Babylon, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. This happened during the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity. The Lord gave this message to Ezekiel son of Buzi, a priest, beside the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians, and he felt the hand of the Lord take hold of him.”
— Ezekiel 1:1-3 (NLT)

Chapters 4–24: Prophecy of Judgment Against Israel and Jerusalem

God’s judgment comes because of Israel’s idolatry.

Three Prophetic Acts:

  1. Siege of Jerusalem – Ezekiel demonstrates the destruction on a model.
  2. Lying on His Side – Ezekiel lays on his side for 390 days for the sins of Israel and 40 days on his right side for Judah’s sins, eating only food cooked over cow dung.
  3. Shaving His Head – Ezekiel cuts his hair with a sword and lets the wind carry it away, symbolizing Israel’s dispersion.

Temple Vision:

  • God’s presence departs from the temple because of Israel’s idolatry:

“Then the glory of the Lord moved out from the entrance of the Temple and hovered above the cherubim.”
— Ezekiel 10:18 (NLT)

This seemingly contrasts with God’s promises to never abandon His people (Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 28:20).

Chapters 25–33: Prophecies Against Foreign Nations

Judgment falls on the nations that influenced Israel with arrogance and pride.

Chapters 34–48: Prophecy of Ultimate Restoration

God promises:

  1. A New David (Ezekiel 34:23–24)
  2. The Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26–27)
  3. Return to the Promised Land (Ezekiel 37:14)
  4. Restoration of His Glory to the Temple (Ezekiel 45:5–7)
  5. Restoration of His Kingdom (Ezekiel 47–48)

Ezekiel reveals God’s throne and glory, showing what will happen, though not when.

The Book of Daniel

Daniel was taken captive alongside his three friends by King Nebuchadnezzar, who sought their counsel.

Theme: God’s sovereignty, the elevation of God’s name, the coming Messiah, and the future restoration of His kingdom.

Key Events:

  • Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3)
  • Interpreting Dreams (Daniel 2, 4, 5)
  • Lion’s Den (Daniel 6)
  • Daniel’s Visions (Daniel 7, 8)

Son of Man:
Daniel’s vision of the “Son of Man” reveals the coming Messiah:

“As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven… His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.”
— Daniel 7:13–14 (NLT)

Daniel’s vision lays out God’s future plan (Daniel 9–12), including the coming of the anointed one (Daniel 9:26). Jesus later references Daniel (Matthew 26:64).

The Return from Exile

The return happened gradually, not all at once.

Ezra (Part 1): The First Return

“In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah…”
— Ezra 1:1–4 (NLT)

  • 50,000 return under Zerubbabel (heir to the throne) and Joshua (the high priest).
  • They rebuild the temple’s foundation but leave it unfinished.

Haggai’s Message (18 Years Later): Finish the Work

  1. Misplaced Priorities (Haggai 1:1–10) → They respond (Haggai 1:12–14; Ezra 5:1–2).
  2. Be Strong (Haggai 2:4–5)
  3. Be Faithful (Haggai 2:10–19)
  4. Messianic King Reminder (Haggai 2:20–23)

Zechariah’s Complementary Message

“Now that the temple is finished, repent and live faithfully to God.”

Eight Visions:

  1. Horsemen Among the Myrtle Trees – God’s watchful presence.
  2. Four Horns and Four Craftsmen – Judgment on Israel’s oppressors.
  3. Measuring Line – God’s plan to restore Jerusalem.
  4. Joshua and Satan – Cleansing and renewal of the priesthood.
  5. Lampstand and Olive Trees – God’s provision through Zerubbabel and Joshua.
  6. Flying Scroll – Judgment on dishonesty and sin.
  7. Woman in the Basket – Removal of sin from Israel.
  8. Four Chariots – God’s divine judgment and peace for Israel.

Messianic Prophecies:

  • Messiah riding a donkey (Zechariah 9:9)
  • The rejected shepherd (Zechariah 11)
  • Pierced and mourned (Zechariah 12:10)

Ezra (Part 2): Second Return

Ezra leads another wave of exiles, teaches the Torah, and addresses intermarriage among the exiles.

Malachi (Part 1): Exposing Corruption

  • Israel doubts God’s love (Malachi 1:2).
  • Confronts corruption and calls for tithing and faithfulness (Malachi 3:3–4).

Esther:

Esther’s obedience preserves the Jewish people from destruction, revealing God’s ongoing protection.

The Book of Nehemiah

  • Nehemiah, cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, is distressed by Jerusalem’s broken walls.
  • Nehemiah prays and receives the king’s blessing to rebuild the walls.
  • Despite opposition, the walls are rebuilt in 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15).
  • Revival follows — celebration, confession of sin, and renewed covenant.
  • But sin remains (Nehemiah 13), revealing the unchanged spiritual state of Israel.

Malachi (Part 2): The Final Word

God points toward the coming Messiah:

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings…”
— Malachi 4:1–6 (NLT)

Key Themes:

✅ God’s judgment for idolatry
✅ God’s sovereignty over nations
✅ God’s promise of restoration through the Messiah
✅ The need for spiritual renewal and faithfulness

Old-Testament-Prophets-Timeline-2Download

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