Who is ezekiel in bible

What is known of Ezekiel is derived solely from the book that bears his name. He was among the Jews exiled to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in b. He was married see , lived in a house of his own see ; and along with his fellow exiles, though confined to Babylonia, had a relatively free existence there. He was of a priestly family see NIV text note on and therefore was eligible to serve as a priest.

As a priest-prophet called to minister to the exiles separated from the temple of the Lord with its symbolism, sacrifices, priestly ministrations and worship rituals , his message had much to do with the temple see especially chs. Ezekiel was obviously a man of broad knowledge, not only of his own national traditions but also of international affairs and history.

His acquaintance with general matters of culture, from shipbuilding to literature, is equally amazing. He was gifted with a powerful intellect and was capable of grasping large issues and of dealing with them in grand and compelling images. His style is often detached, but in places it is passionate and earthy see chs. More than any other prophet more even than Hosea and Jeremiah he was directed to involve himself personally in the divine word by acting it out in prophetic symbolism.

Though Ezekiel lived with his fellow exiles in Babylon, his divine call forced him to suppress any natural expectations he may have had of an early return to an undamaged Jerusalem. For the first seven years of his ministry b. The fact that Israel was God's covenant people and that Jerusalem was the city of his temple would not bring their early release from exile or prevent Jerusalem from being destroyed see Jer The only hope the prophet was authorized to extend to his hearers was that of living at peace with themselves and with God during their exile.

After being informed by the Lord that Jerusalem was under siege and would surely fall , Ezekiel was told that his beloved wife would soon die. The delight of his eyes would be taken from him just as the temple, the delight of Israel's eyes, would be taken from her. He was not to mourn openly for his wife, as a sign to his people not to mourn openly for Jerusalem He was then directed to pronounce a series of judgments on the seven nations of Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon and Egypt chs.

The day of God's wrath was soon to come, but not on Israel alone. Once news was received that Jerusalem had fallen, Ezekiel's message turned to the Lord's consoling word of hope for his people -- they would experience revival, restoration and a glorious future as the redeemed and perfected kingdom of God in the world chs. Since the book of Ezekiel contains more dates than any other OT prophetic book, its prophecies can be dated with considerable precision. In addition, modern scholarship, using archaeology Babylonian annals on cuneiform tablets and astronomy accurate dating of eclipses referred to in ancient archives , provides precise modern calendar equivalents.

Twelve of the 13 dates specify times when Ezekiel received a divine message. The other is the date of the arrival of the messenger who reported the fall of Jerusalem Having received his call in July, b. If the "thirtieth year" of refers to Ezekiel's age at the time of his call, his prophetic career exceeded a normal priestly term of service by two years see Nu His period of activity coincides with Jerusalem's darkest hour, preceding the destruction by 7 years and following it by The OT in general and the prophets in particular presuppose and teach God's sovereignty over all creation, over people and nations and the course of history.

And nowhere in the Bible are God's initiative and control expressed more clearly and pervasively than in the book of Ezekiel. From the first chapter, which graphically describes the overwhelming invasion of the divine presence into Ezekiel's world, to the last phrase of Ezekiel's vision "the Lord is there" the book sounds and echoes God's sovereignty. This sovereign God resolved that he would be known and acknowledged.

Approximately 65 occurrences of the clause or variations "Then they will know that I am the Lord" testify to that divine desire and intention see note on Overall, chs. God's total sovereignty is also evident in his mobility. In the traditional way, Ezekiel noted the time of the fall of Jerusalem in , "on the fifth day of the tenth month, in the twelfth year of our exile.

The Book serves as an important source for New Testament thought. Salvation by grace is prefigured in God giving a new heart and pouring out his spirit , to his people. Ezekiel anticipates Baptism. The Book as a whole serves as a source of symbols and imagery for the Book of Revelation , such as the eating of the scroll Ezekiel and Revelation , the darkening of the sun and moon Ezekiel and Revelation , and the references to Gog and Magog Ezekiel and Revelation The following Scripture is the Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible, now in the public domain.

King James I commissioned a group of Biblical scholars in to establish an authoritative translation of the Bible from the ancient languages and other translations at the time, and the work was completed in The original King James Bible included the Apocrypha but in a separate section. A literary masterpiece of the English language, the original King James Bible is still in use today!

And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee.

This shall be a sign to the house of Israel. I the LORD have spoken it. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry. Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here?

And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; 4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. And they went forth, and slew in the city. And he went in in my sight. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar. So the vision that I had seen went up from me. First, God can call us to a particular vocation or ministry at any time.

Still, God uses him and delivers messages full of hope. Ezekiel had a rough go of things. Nevertheless, God prevails in the story. The prophet has something to hope for and look forward to for future generations of Israel.

Hope Bolinger is an editor at Salem, a multi-published novelist, and a graduate of Taylor University's professional writing program. More than 1, of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer's Digest to Keys for Kids. She has worked for various publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, and literary agencies and has edited the work of authors such as Jerry B.

Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams. Her modern-day Daniel trilogy is out with IlluminateYA. And her inspirational adult romance Picture Imperfect releases in November of Find out more about her at her website. Share this.