Ezekiel’s story is told in the book of Ezekiel
Who is Ezekiel?
- A priest by birthright, belonging to the family of Zadok.
- Lived during the time of the Babylonian captivity, and was among the Jews taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar.
- Prophecies span 22 years during Israel’s exile in Babylon.
- Received his prophetic call in a vision by the Kebar River in Babylon when he was around 30 years old.
Strengths and Accomplishments
- Visionary: Known for his striking and symbolic visions, such as the valley of dry bones and the new temple.
- Obedience: Consistently followed God’s commands, even when they were tough or made him look foolish.
- Courage: Delivered God’s messages to the Israelites in Babylon despite the odds and the opposition.
- Teacher: Used parables, symbols, and actions to teach the Israelites about their sins and God’s plans.
- Hope-Bringer: Prophesied the restoration and spiritual revival of Israel.
Weaknesses and Mistakes
- Grief-stricken: Struggled with God’s directive not to mourn publicly for his wife when she died.
- Challenged by isolation: His obedience to God often required him to perform unusual acts that isolated him from others.
Lessons from His Life
- God’s Presence: Ezekiel’s visions emphasize God’s omnipresence, even during exile.
- Consequences of Disobedience: His messages often reminded the Israelites of the results of turning away from God.
- Restoration: Despite the grim reality, Ezekiel gave hope to the idea that God could breathe life back into dry bones, both literally and metaphorically.
- Responsibility: Introduced the idea that each individual is responsible for their own relationship with God, not just the nation as a whole.
Key Verses (NIV version)
- “He said to me, ‘Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.’” (Ezekiel 2:1)
- “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.” (Ezekiel 33:7)
- “Then he said to me: ‘Prophesy to these bones and say to them, Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!’” (Ezekiel 37:4)
- “My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Ezekiel 37:27)