Ezekiel

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)