THE ART OF WRITING COMMENTARIES, like that of creating movies, is far easier to criticize than to execute. Unlike the task of writing a doctoral dissertation or a scholarly monograph, which merely demands that you write exhaustively on a topic of limited scope, a commentary demands that you write something interesting, stimulating, and relatively brief on every portion of your assigned book. A commentary series like the NIV Application Commentary series demands reflection not only on the ancient setting of the prophet but also its address to contemporary readers. Such a task could not be completed without the involvement of a host of people, each of whom in his or her own way has helped to shape the commentator or his book.
In preparing the Original Meaning sections, I have been reminded over and over of the substantial debt I owe to those who were my teachers in the study of the Old Testament. While I was a student at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia, I had the enormous privilege of learning at the feet of Ray Dillard, Bruce Waltke, and Tremper Longman III, while Hugh Williamson guided my doctoral research on the book of Ezekiel at Cambridge. In the Bridging Contexts and Contemporary Significance sections, I hope that the influence of those from whom I learned how to preach is evident. The impact of the teaching of Edmund Clowney, alongside whom I now teach at Westminster Seminary in California, has been incalculable, as has the instruction and example of Tim Keller, now pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, New York. The manuscript versions of my work have been read carefully and commented on by Robert L. Hubbard Jr. and Terry Muck, both of whom have contributed greatly to the final product. In addition, the editing skills of Jack Kuhatschek and Verlyn Verbrugge have been much appreciated. My student, Shaun Nolan, prepared the diagrams in electronic form for me. The faults of the commentary, however, remain my responsibility
Writing a book of this size can be a trying task not only for the commentator but also for his family. I therefore want to thank my wife, Barb, for her unfailing love and enthusiastic support. With perceptive insight, she always asks the question that penetrates to the heart of the issue, often before it has occurred to me. Like her favorite author, John Newton, she also reminds me daily to keep my eyes focused on the grace of God extended to us as sinners. In addition, thanks are due to my children, Jamie, Sam, Hannah, Robbie, and Rosie, who allowed me to devote some days to working on this commentary when we could otherwise have been playing on the beach. I pray that each of you may, as you grow up, come to be passionately devoted to Ezekiel’s God and mine, the God whose wrath and mercy met at the cross and there accomplished our salvation. To Him be all the glory!