Ezekiel
📜 Old Testament
🗺️ Overview
Ezekiel, a prophet during the Babylonian exile, delivers dramatic visions and symbolic acts to reveal God’s judgment on Jerusalem, His glory departing the temple, and His future restoration of Israel. Ezekiel emphasizes God’s holiness, justice, and sovereignty, yet also offers hope in the promise of spiritual renewal and a new heart for His people.
💡 Ezekiel challenges us to take sin seriously and to marvel at God’s holiness and glory. It also offers great hope — pointing to God’s ability to restore, renew, and dwell once again with His people. His Spirit brings new life where there was only death.
🏛️ Historical & Cultural Notes
Insights into the cultural, historical, or geographical background of the book.
The Babylonian Exile
Ezekiel prophesied from Babylon among the first wave of exiles. His visions both explain the exile and promise future restoration.
📚 Source: ESV Study Bible
The Temple Visions
Ezekiel sees God’s glory leave the temple due to Israel’s sin, and later envisions a new temple symbolizing God’s restored presence.
📚 Source: The Bible Project
Prophetic Dramas
Ezekiel acted out many of his prophecies — lying on his side, cooking over dung, or shaving his head — to dramatically convey God’s message.
📚 Source: Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary
📊 Book at a Glance
- 📝 Author
- Ezekiel
- 📅 Date
- c. 593–571 BC
- 📖 Chapters
- 48
- 🏷️ Genre
- Prophecy
- 📍 Location
- Babylon and visions concerning Jerusalem and Israel
- 🧵 Main Themes
- The holiness and glory of God, Judgment for unfaithfulness and idolatry, Responsibility for sin and repentance, Hope in future restoration, Spiritual renewal and the coming of a new heart
📚 Outline
- Call and Commissioning (Ch. 1–3)
- Judgment on Jerusalem and Israel (Ch. 4–24)
- Judgment on the Nations (Ch. 25–32)
- Hope and Restoration for Israel (Ch. 33–39)
- The New Temple and the Lord’s Return (Ch. 40–48)
📖 Key Stories
The Call and Vision of God’s Glory (Ezekiel 1–3)
Ezekiel sees a stunning vision of God’s glory on a heavenly throne and is called to be a watchman for Israel.
The Departure of God’s Glory (Ezekiel 10)
In response to sin and corruption, God’s presence leaves the temple — a sign of coming judgment.
The Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37)
A powerful vision of Israel’s restoration — God breathes life into dry bones, symbolizing renewal and hope.
The New Heart and Spirit (Ezekiel 36)
God promises to cleanse His people, give them a new heart, and put His Spirit within them.
A Future Temple and New Creation (Ezekiel 40–48)
Ezekiel sees a future temple and land — symbolic of God’s perfect rule and restored presence among His people.
👤 Key Figures
🔍 Christ Connections
How this book anticipates or reflects the person and work of Christ.
- PromiseEzekiel 36:26–27, John 3:5–6, Titus 3:5
God’s promise of a new heart and Spirit is fulfilled through Jesus, who gives spiritual life and transforms His people from within.
- ThemeEzekiel 10:18–19, Ezekiel 43:1–5, John 1:14
Ezekiel’s vision of God’s glory departing and returning foreshadows Christ — Immanuel, God with us, who brings God’s presence back to His people.
🧠 Key Verses
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.” — Ezekiel 36:26
“The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.” — Ezekiel 37:1
“Then you will know that I am the Lord.” — Ezekiel 36:11
“Son of man, can these bones live?” — Ezekiel 37:3
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