A summary of the book of Ezekiel as recorded in ‘The Bible Brief’ Bible summary book
The Priest/Prophet Ezekiel was a young man when he was taken away into exile in Babylon. He was both a priest and a prophet to the nation of Israel in a time of great trial and distress for the people in exile in Babylon.
When: Ezekiel Time Period
Between 593 and 571 B.C.
Main Character:
Ezekiel the Prophet (Ch.1:3)
People & Places In Ezekiel:
Ezekiel; Pharaoh; Nebuchadnezzar
Judah; Jerusalem; Israel; Babylon; Moab; Edom; Tyre; Egypt
Notable Passages in Ezekiel:
Then He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet that I may speak with you!” (Ch.2:1)
“However, if you have warned the righteous man that the righteous should not sin and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; and you have delivered yourself.” (Ch.3:21)
“So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. “(Ch.37:10)
“I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and done it,” declares the Lord.’” (Ch.37:14)
The Messianic Link In Ezekiel:
He is the ‘Good Shepherd’ in Ch.34:23
The Book of Ezekiel:
Ezekiel begins with Judgment on the house of Israel, and particularly on the leaders of the nation who have been lording it over the common people (Ch.34:1-6). Idolatrous elders are condemned (Ch:14), and Babylon is mentioned as the instrument of God’s Judgment (Ch.21:21).
The book is full of symbolism and allegory as Ezekiel is given visions of the future that include desolation and dispersion to Babylon. The surrounding nations are also to be Judged for rejoicing at Jerusalem’s destruction (Chaps:25-32).
Ezekiel finishes with hope of a final restoration of Israel as The Lord gives him a vision of ‘the valley of dry bones’ (Ch.37).
Ezekiel in Brief:
- Ezekiel is taken into captivity to Babylon
- God calls Ezekiel to encourage the people and inform them he was the Lord God in Israel and Babylon
- God will judge the nearby nations
- Ezekiel speaks to the people in parables and visions, bizarre behavior
- Have faith in God and restoration of the nation is assured
Ezekiel was indeed the ‘man of the moment’ as God placed him amongst the exiles to show that He was not only God in geographical Judah; but that he was indeed God over all the Earth. It was a revelation to the people that they could still worship God, even without the Temple in Jerusalem itself. The Lord made that clear indeed, when he instigated the ministry of Ezekiel after he was led into exile with the other captives.
The institution that we now know as the Synagogue began in Babylon, and this played a huge part in keeping the nation together whilst they were in captivity.
Sometimes just when everything seems lost, The Lord will indeed show us a way forward.