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Ezekiel
Ezekiel was a young man in Judah when Nebuchadnezzar came in 605 B.C. and took away some of the princes and nobles (included in this group were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah). Ezekiel was not taken then; at age 30 he could have been eligible for the priesthood, spending his time in and around the temple. This would not happen, for he was taken in the second wave of captives in 597 B.C. At age thirty, while in Babylon, he would see another temple by a vision given to him from God.
While Daniel prophesied to royalty, Ezekiel’s work was among the common captives. His message is from God to a battered people in exile. This just didn’t seem possible to the ones who thought that God had been on their side. Prophets of the day had been prophesying “peace and safety” while the lone voice of Jeremiah was heard to cry out “destruction.” It is these people now realizing the price of their wickedness; and Ezekiel has a message for them: the promise of restoration.
Ezekiel’s message is filled with figures. He points to the transcendant God, who is full of power and glory. God had to the punish the people for the sins, but He still loved them and wanted to bring them back to share in His glory once again.
Ezekiel’s purpose, then, is two-fold:
1. To keep before the people the reason why they were in captivity -- namely their wickedness epitomized by their idolatrous practices.
2. To tell them of God’s plans for restoration and future glory (through the Messiah). This would help them to sustain their faith in God through very difficult times.
Discussion
1. Why was this such a trying time for the people? Why were they in captivity?
2. Why is Ezekiel’s message so unique? What was his purpose?
3. How did he get this message across? What were some of the visions he had? Describe some of his actions.
4. Describe the nature of apocalyptic literature. Does Ezekiel fit the mold? What New Testament book draws from Ezekiel so much?