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Ezekiel is the third of the Major Prophets. He is contemporary to Jeremiah and Daniel. When Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, overthrew the northern kingdom of Judah, he deported the Jews in three major campaigns, dated around 605, BC, 597 BC, and 586 BC. Ezekiel was part of the second deportation. He prophesied from Babylon (cf. Ezekiel 1:3). Daniel, who was in the first deportation, was also there. In that second deportation, King Jehoichin was also deported to Babylon and Zedekiah was appointed governor by Nebuchadnezzar in his place in Jerusalem. With but few exceptions (29:1, 17; 32:1), the majority of Ezekiel's messages are dated precisely to the day, month and year of King Jehoiachin's exile to Babylon (between approx. 593 BC to 570 BC). Ezekiel ministered to the Jews in Babylon, predicting the coming collapse of Jerusalem. His message fell on deaf ears till word of the city's destruction was received in Babylon (586 BC). The fall of the city prompted a change in Ezekiel's prophetic message. Before Jerusalem fell, Ezekiel's message focused on Judah's forthcoming destruction because of her sin (chs 1-24). After Jerusalem's fall, Ezekiel's message centered on Judah's future restoration (chs 33-48). Between these messages to Judah, Ezekiel also prophesied against the nations, particularly Egypt, that either participated in the fall of Jerusalem or were gleeful onlookers of her fall. Several themes come forth from the book. Ezekiel's message to the exiled Jews showed that little has changed in their hearts. They were still listening to false prophets and practicing idolatry. Ezekiel was their watchman to declare God's sovereignty in both wrath and blessing and to warn them of imminent judgment for their stubborn rebellion against God. There is a also a very visual representation of God's leaving the Temple, showing that He was no longer with His people in Jerusalem. However, Ezekiel also expressed God's enduring faithfulness to restore His people both to their land and to the proper worship of God. In the latter chapters Ezekiel describes a new temple yet to be built and a kind of worship yet unknown to the Jews. A numbef of theologians see the fulfillment of this vision in the Millennial Kingdom described in Revelation 20. Along with these descriptions, Ezekiel's message stressed the need for individual responsibility and national accountability before God. Ezekiel conveys the message of God through various means: visions, oracles, parables, allegories, direct proclamations, and even personal tragedies. All these God uses to convey a vivid message to the people of God. I am reminded of the writer of Hebrews, who looking back at such varieties of communication from God, wrote, In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe... how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him (Hebrews 1:1-2; 2:3). [top] |