As we study the prophecy of Ezekiel, we should approach it like spiritual archaeologists, digging into the past to uncover the meaning of Ezekiel’s message to the people of his time, so that we can apply it to our own.
Before we begin our study of Ezekiel, here are a few background thoughts to consider.
(1) The nation of Israel was established when God delivered them from slavery in Egypt.
You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.
Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples.
Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites” (Exodus 19.4-6).
(2) The prophets frequently referred to the agreement the Israelites made with God, which included blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. See Leviticus 26:1-46.
(3) Jerusalem was the city of God’s presence and was believed to be protected by God.
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns. (Psalm 46.1 and 5)
Key Dates
Here are some key dates to keep in mind as we study Ezekiel.
(1) 597 BC – Judah was conquered by the Babylonians, and the leaders, including Ezekiel and his family, were deported to Babylon.
(2) 593 BC – Ezekiel was called by God to be a prophet. Ezekiel was 30 years old when he was called to be a prophet.
He came from a priestly family and was meant to serve as a priest in the temple. However, instead of fulfilling that role, he served as a priest-prophet while in captivity in Babylon.
(3) 587 BC – After a brutal siege, Jerusalem fell, and the remaining population was taken into captivity in Babylon.
God’s Word to Ezekiel
Ezekiel’s call to ministry is the longest recorded in the Old Testament. The first three verses set the scene and provide specific dates for his calling.
In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the river Chebar, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
On the fifth day of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin),
The word of the Lord came to the priest Ezekiel son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was on him there (Ezekiel 1:1-3).
The Hebrew-Christian faith is rooted in revelation, and in this instance, God personally makes Himself known to Ezekiel. He sets Ezekiel apart for service and engages with him so personally that Ezekiel describes God’s hand as being upon him.
While this experience is dramatic for such a great prophet of God, it also happens in the lives of others. God is personal and interacts with us by revealing His character and His purpose for our lives.
With his dry sense of humor, Henry Blackaby reminds us that when God meets with us, it’s not just to give us a warm fuzzy in our pants pocket. Instead, He calls us to adjust our lives to follow His direction.
Ezekiel, at 30 years old, was ready to enter the priesthood. However, he would not serve as a priest in the temple in Jerusalem. Instead, he would serve as a priest-prophet to the exiles in Babylon.
As we dig deeper into Ezekiel’s call to service, we see that he didn’t adjust his attitude quickly. He took time to meet with God and to grieve the loss of his hopes of serving as a priest in the temple, as well as the profound pain of being an exile in Babylon.
Reflections
As we begin our study of Ezekiel, there are a few things to consider. First, what spiritual assumptions do we hold in our relationship with God? The people in Ezekiel’s time had theirs; what are ours?
Second, take note that God is active in history. He was active in Ezekiel’s day, and He is active in ours. What is He doing in our time?
Third, Ezekiel had to adjust his life to align with God’s plan. Although it was painful, being in that position, when you’re serving God, you can’t lose.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 