What makes Ezekiel special?

Ezekiel is unique among the prophetic books because the Hebrew text is written completely in the first person. That is, the prophet Ezekiel’s visions, prophecies, and strange actions are described from Ezekiel’s own point of view. The book has traditionally been thought to be difficult to interpret, and even dangerous. Some early Jewish teachers were troubled by Ezekiel’s vision of the new temple (40–48) because it seemed to contradict parts of the Law of Moses. They were also afraid that Ezekiel’s graphic visions of God’s glory (1.1-28; 10.1-22) might lead to controversial beliefs about the mystery of God. Some even thought a person could be seriously troubled by thinking about the visions too deeply. For these reasons, some taught that Ezekiel should only be read by people over the age of thirty.

Why was Ezekiel written?

In the years just before Ezekiel was chosen to be a prophet, the kingdom known as Judah was caught up in the power struggle between Egypt and Babylonia. Eventually, Babylonia invaded Judah and took over Jerusalem in 597 B.C. Many of Judah’s leaders, including King Jehoiachin and Ezekiel himself, were taken as prisoners to live in exile in Babylonia. Ten years later, when Judah rebelled, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia put down the rebellion, destroyed Jerusalem and its temple, and took more people into exile. Ezekiel’s visions and prophecies were meant to explain why the Lord God of Israel had allowed such a terrible thing to happen. Ezekiel spoke the Lord’s messages of doom and warning to the people of Judah and Jerusalem because they had sinned against God. They had worshiped idols, turned to foreign powers instead of God in times of need, and not lived according to God’s Law. The people had made their land and God’s temple impure by their sin and rebellion. Because of this, the “glory of the Lord” left the temple in Jerusalem. The Lord’s people were defeated by the Babylonians and forced to live as captives in exile.

But Ezekiel’s message also included promises of hope for the future. The Lord would free the people from exile and lead them back to Jerusalem where they would worship the Lord in a new, holy temple and once again live according to God’s Law. The Lord’s glory would shine brightly again in Jerusalem, and both the people of Israel and the surrounding nations would recognize that there is no other God but Israel’s Lord.

What’s the story behind the scene?

Some prophetic books give little or no information that helps place the time of the prophet or the prophet’s message, but many of Ezekiel’s messages (oracles) begin with specific dates (for example, see 1.1-3; 8.1; and 40.1). According to these dates, Ezekiel’s work as a prophet probably began in late June or early July of 593 B.C. At the time he received his first vision, Ezekiel was living by the Chebar River in Babylonia. He and a number of Israel’s leading families had been forced to leave Jerusalem when Babylonia first took over the city in 597 B.C. While Ezekiel and others lived as refugees there, the king of Babylonia made Jehoiachin’s uncle Zedekiah the king in Judah (see 2 Kgs 24.8-17).

At first, Zedekiah was loyal to Babylonia, but eventually Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kgs 24.18-20). That’s when King Nebuchadnezzar once again invaded Judah and destroyed Jerusalem and its temple (587 or 586 B.C.). Most of Ezekiel’s prophecies date to the time between 593 and 586 B.C. and provide warnings to the people of Judah about the Lord’s coming judgment—their defeat at the hands of the Babylonians because of their sin and unfaithfulness. Ezekiel’s prophecy about the future temple in Jerusalem is dated 573 B.C. His prophecy about the fall of the city of Tyre is given a later date (571 B.C.).

How is Ezekiel constructed?

The final form of Ezekiel appears to be carefully structured around several dates. These dates relate to the events in the years just before and after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians. The general themes of Ezekiel’s prophecies also relate to this defeat. Chapters 1–32 include Ezekiel’s messages of judgment and doom against Judah and the nations. Chapters 33–48 focus on how the Lord will restore Judah and bring a bright new future for God’s people.

The division of the book into these two main sections is also reflected in the two accounts of Ezekiel’s call to be a prophet. The first section begins with the Lord calling Ezekiel to be a watchman for the people of Israel (3.16-21). This call is repeated in Ezekiel 33.1-9. Ezekiel’s speaking voice is taken away at the beginning of the first section (3.22-27) and is restored at the beginning of the second section (33.22). Here is one way Ezekiel can be outlined:

1. The Lord will judge Judah and Jerusalem (1.1—24.27)
1. Ezekiel is chosen to be a prophet (1.1—3.27)
2. Disaster is coming (4.1—7.27)
3. The Lord’s glory leaves Jerusalem (8.1—11.25)
4. Messages of doom for Judah and Jerusalem (12.1—24.27)
2. Messages of judgment on foreign nations (25.1—32.32)
3. The Lord will restore Jerusalem and Israel (33.1—39.29)
1. Watchman and shepherd (33.1—34.31)
2. Preparing the way for Judah’s new future (35.1—39.29)
4. The Lord’s glory returns to Judah and Jerusalem (40.1—48.35)
1. A new temple (40.1—44.3)
2. Laws and rules for God’s people (44.4—46.24)
3. Dividing the land (47.1—48.34)

The Lord Will Judge Judah and Jerusalem

The first twenty-four chapters of Ezekiel deal mostly with the Lord’s coming judgment against Judah and Jerusalem because their people had turned away from the Lord. Ezekiel sees a vision of the Lord’s glory and is chosen to be the Lord’s prophet (1–3). The Lord gives Ezekiel the difficult task of telling and showing (with pictures or by his own actions) how Jerusalem and Judah will be punished. In a second vision (8–11), Ezekiel actually sees the Lord’s glory leave Jerusalem.

Ezekiel Is Chosen to Be a Prophet

In 593 B.C., while living in exile in Babylonia, Ezekiel receives a vision of the Lord’s glory and is chosen to be a prophet to the rebellious people of Israel (2.3).

Disaster Is Coming

Ezekiel draws a picture of Jerusalem’s coming destruction and lies down on his side for over a year as a sign of the suffering Jerusalem’s people will face. Then he tells the people of Israel that they are doomed because they have sinned against the Lord.

The Lord’s Glory Leaves Jerusalem

In a second vision, Ezekiel is carried to Jerusalem in the fall of 592 B.C. There he watches disgusting things happening in the Lord’s temple and sees the glory of the Lord leave the most holy place of the temple. He also sees a vision of horrible punishment for Jerusalem’s people and leaders because of their sins against the Lord.

Messages of Doom For Judah and Jerusalem

In the following chapters (12–24), Ezekiel delivers a number of judgment messages and stories (allegories) warning of the destruction and death that was coming to Jerusalem, Judah, and many of Judah’s leaders. Even the death of Ezekiel’s wife (24.15-24) and Ezekiel’s mourning draw attention to Jerusalem’s coming punishment.

Messages of Judgment on Foreign Nations

In chapters 25–32, Ezekiel gives messages of judgment against many of Israel’s neighbors, including Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia. Three whole chapters focus on the destruction coming to Tyre and Sidon in Phoenicia, and four chapters focus on how Egypt and its king will be defeated by Babylonia as part of the Lord’s judgment against them.

The Lord Will Restore Jerusalem and Israel

After many chapters of telling and showing how the Lord is going to punish Israel and many of its enemies, Ezekiel’s prophecy takes a turn, beginning in chapter 33. News of Jerusalem’s fall reaches Ezekiel in Babylonia, and his voice is restored. Though he continues to tell his people to turn away from their sins, he also offers good news about how the Lord will help breathe new life into his people (37.1-14) and restore them once again in Jerusalem, where the Lord’s glory will return to a new temple (40.1—47.12). Finally, after years of living in exile, the people will also regain their land (47.13—48.35).

Watchman and Shepherd

Once again, Ezekiel is appointed to be a watchman (see also 3.17-21) to warn the people of Israel to turn from their sins. He criticizes Israel’s leaders as bad shepherds, but reminds the people that the Lord is their good shepherd, and they are still the Lord’s sheep.

Preparing the Way for Judah’s New Future

Ezekiel warns Edom that it is doomed and he tells the mountains of Israel to rejoice. Though the Lord’s people have sinned, the Lord will bring them home in order to honor his name. They will receive the Lord’s Spirit and a new heart, so they can obey his laws and teachings. Ezekiel sees a vision of dry bones (the people of Israel) coming to life, so they can return home, and he sees the Lord defeat a great army of Israel’s enemies led by Gog of Magog.

The Lord’s Glory Returns to Judah and Jerusalem

Ezekiel’s final vision provides a detailed description of the restored temple in Jerusalem (40–43). Ezekiel sees the Lord’s glory return to the temple (43.1-5), and the Lord teaches him the rules that are to guide the work of Israel’s priests and the life of God’s people. The book concludes with a description of how the repopulated land of Israel would be divided among Israel’s tribes (47–48).

A New Temple

Ezekiel is shown a vision of a new temple, which is to be kept sacred. Some details of the temple in Ezekiel’s vision match the temple built by Solomon, but other details are new.

Laws and Rules for God’s People

The Lord instructs Ezekiel about who can and can’t be in the temple area and provides rules for those who serve in the temple. Other rules describe the Lord’s sacred land and land that will belong to the ruler. Finally, the Lord gives laws describing how Israel’s ruler and people are to celebrate their religious festivals.

Dividing the Land

Ezekiel now sees a vision of a life-giving stream flowing from the temple across the land and emptying into the Dead Sea. Then he is told how the land of Israel will be divided among Israel’s tribes. The new division of land will be based on equal shares for all the tribes, unlike the earlier division when the Israelites first settled in the land of Canaan.

Questions about Ezekiel 1.1—11.25

1. Where and when did Ezekiel receive his first vision? (1.1-4) What was the historical situation in Israel at this time?

2. Briefly describe Ezekiel’s vision (1.4—3.14). Why was Ezekiel chosen, and what did the Lord want him to do? (2.3—3.11; 3.16-21) What could make this assignment difficult? Recall a difficult task or decision you have had to make. What made the decision or task difficult? Recall a time when you felt the need to speak out about injustice. What did you do?

3. Ezekiel was an unusual prophet because he not only spoke the Lord’s messages, he also had to act out events that would happen to God’s people. How did he act out the coming destruction of Jerusalem? (4.1—5.4) Why were Jerusalem and its people facing God’s punishment? (5.7—6.13)

4. How would Jerusalem and its people be punished and disgraced? (7.15-27)

5. Where was Ezekiel taken in his second vision? (8.1—11.23) What terrible things did he see there? Where did the Lord’s glory “live”? (9.3) Why did the Lord’s glory leave that place?

6. What is significant about the fact that Ezekiel the prophet probably came from a family of priests?

Questions about Ezekiel 12.1 — 24.27

1. What did Ezekiel act out in chapter 12? What was the reaction of his neighbors? What did his pantomime mean? Who is the “leader” mentioned in 12.12?

2. Who were the “lying” prophets? (13.1-16) What was false about their messages? Why is it difficult for people to give and believe bad news? If you were a prophet, what important message might you give to your city or town? To your friends? Why?

3. To what does Ezekiel compare Jerusalem in chapter 16? What relationship does the Lord have with Jerusalem, according to this chapter? In what way(s), was Jerusalem guilty of being unfaithful to the Lord?

4. Who were Jerusalem’s two sisters? (16.44-58) What did these “sisters” do that was evil in the sight of God? How was Jerusalem like these sisters?

5. In the story of two eagles and a vine (17.1-24), what were the eagles, the seed, and the grapevine?

6. According to chapter 18, who is responsible for a person’s sins? What is the good news about sin in this chapter?

7. Even though the Lord chose the people of Israel to be his own while they were in Egypt (20.5), they kept on rebelling against the Lord. How? How would their rebellion come to an end? (21.1-27)

8. Why did Jerusalem have to be purified? (22.17-31; 24.6-8). How would it be purified? (24.2-5,9-14)

9. Even the death of Ezekiel’s wife became an opportunity for him to give a message about Jerusalem? What was the message, and how was this message confirmed? (24.20-26)

Questions about Ezekiel 25.1—32.32

1. Why were the lands of Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia to be punished? (25.1-17)

2. For what was the city of Tyre famous? Why would Tyre be punished by the Lord? Who attacked and nearly destroyed the city of Tyre? What effect would the destruction of Tyre have on other nations?

3. What was to happen to the kings of Tyre and Egypt? (28.1-19; 29.16) Why?

4. Who was going to be sent to attack Egypt? How would the land of Egypt suffer?

5. What is the world of the dead? Who would be sent there? What kind of “proper burial” was usually given to the Egyptian kings? What was so bad about not receiving such a burial, or about being left to rot on the field of battle?

Questions about Ezekiel 33.1 — 39.29

1. As a watchman for Israel, what message was Ezekiel supposed to give the people? (33.7-12)

2. What important news came to Ezekiel? (33.21). What happened to Ezekiel after he heard this news? (33.22)

3. In chapter 34, who are the following: the bad shepherds; my sheep; Israel’s good shepherd; the strong sheep; the weak sheep? In 34.25-31, what promise is made? What made this such a hopeful message for the people of Israel?

4. What was the Lord’s message to Edom (35), and why? What message was given to Israel’s mountains? (36.1-15)

5. Explain why it was important that the land and the people of Israel be “cleaned” at the time they returned from exile (36.16-38). What does the modern phrase “clean up your act” mean? How might this modern saying apply to Ezekiel’s message to his Israelite neighbors?

6. How was the vision of the dry bones coming to life again related to the people of Israel returning home from exile? (Chapter 37)

7. Describe Gog and what will happen to him (38.1—39.20). Why was it considered so important to bury the dead bodies of Gog’s army?

Questions about Ezekiel 40.1—48.35

1. Why do you think it was important for the people of Israel to hear Ezekiel’s vision of the future temple in Jerusalem?

2. Through how many gates could people enter the outer courtyard area of the temple grounds? (40.1-27) Through which of these gates did the Lord’s glory return to the temple? (43.1-5)

3. Who was allowed into the area known as the inner courtyard and into the temple itself? Why did a wall separate the inner area from the outer courtyard area?

4. What kinds of sacrifices were Israel’s priests to offer on the altar near the entrance of the temple? (43.18-27) Does anything in worship today compare to the sacrifices offered by Israel’s priests? Explain.

5. Explain the difference between what was sacred and ordinary, clean and unclean, especially as they relate to the temple, the priests, and the people of Israel.

6. Why did the ruler of Israel receive his own share of land in the new Israel? (45.7-9)

7. Why was the stream flowing from the temple such a hopeful vision? (47.1-12)

8. How did the division of the land in the new Israel differ from the old division of the land?

9. What image, vision, or statement in Ezekiel is especially meaningful to you, and why?