Ezekiel is the prophet of the exile. Through grand visions and symbolic actions he announces Jerusalem's fall and then the people's resurrection: dry bones coming back to life.
AuthorEzekiel, priest and prophet
DateAround 593-571 BC
AudienceThe deportees in Babylon
🎯 Learning objective
Understand the message of Ezekiel, its historical setting and its place in the history of salvation.
🏛️ Historical context
He was deported to Babylon in 597 BC with King Jehoiachin. Among the exiles, by the river Chebar, he received his call.
🔙 Background
The exiles believed they would soon return; Ezekiel first announces Jerusalem's destruction and then hope.
🧭 Structure of the book
Chapters 1-24: call and judgment on Jerusalem
Chapters 25-32: oracles against the nations
Chapters 33-48: restoration and the new temple
⭐ Key events and teachings
1Vision of God's glory in Babylon (ch. 1)
2God's glory leaves the temple (ch. 10)
3Personal responsibility: "the soul that sins shall die" (ch. 18)
4The good shepherd who seeks his sheep (ch. 34)
5"I will give you a new heart and a new spirit" (36:26)
6The dry bones come to life (ch. 37)
7Vision of the new temple with water flowing from it (ch. 47)
🏷️ Main themes
God's gloryPersonal responsibilityA new heartThe people's resurrection
📖 Verses to memorize
Ezekiel 18:32For I desire not the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God, return ye and live.
Ezekiel 34:11For thus saith the Lord God: Behold I myself will seek my sheep, and will visit them.
Ezekiel 36:26And I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and will give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 37:5Thus saith the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will send spirit into you, and you shall live.
Ezekiel 37:27And my tabernacle shall be with them: and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
💭 For reflection
What "dry bones" in my life need God's Spirit?
How does Jesus take up the good shepherd image of Ezekiel 34?
Ezekiel, priest and prophet in exile, sees God's glory, announces judgment on Jerusalem and promises a new heart, a new spirit and the resurrection of the people, as in the vision of the dry bones.