Ezekiel

LORENE KORDENBROCK

Norris Avenue Chapel

As a reader of the Bible opens up the pages of the book Ezekiel, very often he/she is repelled by the marvelous vision of God that unfolds in the first chapter. Finding it too difficult to understand, he/she is tempted to skip on to more understandable Scripture. However, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, what treasures there are within this book!

When Ezekiel was about 18-years-old, the Babylonians made their first invasion into Judah in 605 B.C., and carried Daniel away. Then in 597 B.C., they came again and took Ezekiel among the captives (1:2, 33:32, 2 Kings 24:17). His home was then in Tel_abib (3:15), near Babylon and this became the meeting place where the exiled Jewish elders came and Ezekiel ministered to them (8:1, 14:1, 20:1).

Little is known of the personal life of this prophet. 1:3 says "Ezekiel the priest, son of Buzi" so this priestly background explains in part the emphasis on the temple in Jerusalem, the glory of the Lord, the actions of Jerusalem's priests, and God's future temple.

We do learn he was married and loved his wife dearly. Also, God equipped him for the task he was called to do through visions and a unique give, "the Lord spoke to him saying, 'I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of they mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shall not be to them a reprover for they are a rebellious house. But when I speak with thee I will open thy mouth and thou shalt say unto them 'Thus saith the Lord God.'" (3:26-27)

A definite chronological movement is evident within the book and there are five recurrent themes that flow through it. The first relates to the glory and character of God. Second is the sinfulness of Israel. Third is the inevitable fact of judgment. Fourth is that of the individual's responsibility. The fifth contains the promise of the future restoration of Israel.

The book consists of direct addresses from the Lord and the use of proverbs, visions, parables, symbolic acts and allegories to drive home God's messages to a hard-hearted people.

The name Ezekiel means "God will strengthen" or "God will harden." As one reads the book they realize he truly lived up to his name. Oh, how we need Ezekiels today to shake ups up for it seems mankind is in the same spiritual condition these exiles were in. We need a heartfelt touch from the awesome living God so wonderfully revealed in this precious book.